Dan’s Daily Links: Pens Interested in Chiasson, CBJ After Duchene

As the Pittsburgh Penguins fans play with matches following the Penguins ugly 4-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks, we may see a few more legitimate Penguins trade rumors than we expected just 24 hours ago. What had the makings of a Penguins run was quickly undone as the Penguins whiffed on chances and otherwise stumbled against a Stanley Cup contender. And the Penguins hill may get taller. As we predicted, two Metro teams are the leaders for Matt Duchene.

First–this is newsworthy. Bill Guerin scouted the New York Rangers vs. Minnesota Wild, last night. Message boards circled two names: Mats Zuccarello and Vlad Namestnikov. Namestnikov only makes sense if the Penguins are unloading a contract. Don’t overlook Minnesota. There were a few puffs of smoke between the Wild and Penguins in early January, too.

Also Penguins assistant GM Bill Guerin. https://t.co/bwgwPNyxXD

— Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) February 22, 2019

Last week, we circled three affordable trade targets for the Penguins. It looks like we hit on at least one: Alex Chiasson. However, Pierre LeBrun thinks Edmonton has a high price tag on the pending-UFA (The Athletic)

The Penguins locker room was bubbling over last night (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

My gut continues to say Matt Duchene will wind up in the Metro Division. Nashville would love him, BUT…they have Johansen and Kyle Turris. The two teams which really could vault into contender status are Columbus and the New York Islanders. Elliotte Friedman dropped bombshells during one of his radio hits, yesterday. (Nichols on Hockey)

Seriously, writers don’t give it all away on Twitter! Aaron Portzline has been one of the best beat reporters in the business for a long time. He has covered Columbus since before most of the town knew about the Blue Jackets. How about this trade nugget:

If Nashville lands Matt Duchene from Ottawa, expect Winnipeg to make a major push for #CBJ Artemi Panarin. #GoJetsGo would hate to part with him, but possible Columbus native Jack Roslovic could be part of the return package to Blue Jackets.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 21, 2019

Florida. For Pete’s sake, would they make up their mind? Now they may be putting Mike Hoffman on the market. (Ottawa Sun)

Josh Ho-Sang would be “all for it” if the Islanders dealt him. At least Daniel Sprong got a crack at the NHL. Ho-Sang has been far more productive in his NHL stints yet languishes in the AHL because…the Islanders are still proving a point to the kid who overslept his first meeting. Ho-Sang wouldn’t be hurt if the Islanders trade him (The Athletic)

He’d have to change his number, but I know one team in which his offensive creativity could be rewarded… And that team has a pretty good captain and coach who could guide him on the other side of the blue line, too…