Penguins Wrap: Trade Talk; 3 Strikes & an Outburst

The last full week of February also marked the return to play for the Pittsburgh Penguins after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, and things did not go so well after the time off.

Three games in four days resulted in three losses, with the Penguins having mixed feelings about their performances. The goaltending and lack of offense stood out. Those losses would seem to have nailed shut the door that might have led to a playoff spot — not that there was much chance even before that.

It also prompted a former player turned national studio host to blast the Penguins outside of their top players.

Finally, things rose to a boil — at least for one player — in the Penguins’ fourth game of the week, and it sparked them to their first win since Feb. 7.

With the season pretty well a bust before the calendar hit March — and before the March 7 trade deadline — there was a lot of discussion about moves the Penguins might or should make. That includes a direct call for president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas to trade a specific big name.

Catch up on the past week. Click the links.

Saturday: While Sidney Crosby was deemed OK to face the Washington Capitals less than 48 hours after he helped lead Team Canada to the title at the 4 Nations Face-off, the Penguins found out they would be playing without another top-line player, Bryan Rust.

On a day when the Penguins and their fans honored late play-by-play broadcaster Mike Lange, the Penguins wasted a strong first half or so of the game and fell against Washington.

After the Penguins gave up five second-period goals against the Capitals, the intermission show on ABC featured an impassioned rant that tore apart the team’s structure from former NHL player P.K. Subban.

The wasted opportunity after the strong start to the game could be attributed to a slew of mistakes. Read the Penguins report card.

Sunday: The Penguins played a better game, but it still didn’t pay off, as they fell to goalie Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers.

The Penguins dominated, but once again they could not finish well enough to win. There was a lot to like, other than the outcome. Read the Penguins grades.

Monday: PHN made a bold plea. Enough is enough. Dan Kingerski threw it out there that it was time for the Penguins to trade veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson.

My, how the tables have turned. Remember all those years when the Penguins were contenders and were beating so many teams that were struggling to get things together? Now the Penguins are in that reversed role. Read Dave Molinari’s column.

Tuesday: Unlike the two games the previous weekend, the Penguins put up nearly no fight this night. Something about waving a white flag. Other than that, it was a forgettable loss to the rival Philadelphia Flyers.

As you might expect, coach Mike Sullivan was among those who ripped the Penguins for their game. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was incredibly hard on himself. Check out the report from the Penguins room.

Wednesday: His moves to this point have been heavily scrutinized, but with the NHL trade deadline approaching, the next couple weeks will define the Kyle Dubas era.

In their first full practice since the break, the Penguins got full participation from gritty forward Boko Imama, who had been injured, but were without Michael Bunting.

Perhaps with an eye toward what many have been clamoring for — getting more young players in the lineup — the Penguins put veteran forward Matt Nieto on waivers.

Coach Mike Sullivan admitted what has transpired this season has been difficult for everyone, and he challenged his players to have more mental toughness.

Get in front of a slapshot? Give your all? How much should the Penguins care as they embark on a longer-term climb and with this season all but over?

Thursday: Karlsson’s name has been linked to the Dallas Stars with the trade deadline coming up. Not so fast, said the Dallas GM.

It turns out Michael Bunting was more than just a little under the weather. And Boko Imama was ready to get back to playing. A newsy update about a Penguins shuffle.

In more shuffling, this time perhaps the start of the big push for young players to get into the lineup, the Penguins recalled Emil Bemstrom.

After he had been critical of his own play, Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic had had enough. When he got pulled in the rematch with the Flyers, he had an angry meltdown.

Nedeljkovic’s tantrum sparked his teammates. That included Evgeni Malkin, who led the Penguins to a comeback win over Philadelphia.

Where has this side of the Penguins been? Dan Kingerski takes a look at the team’s guts and emotion.

Friday: A season gone sideways might work against some young players, stunt their development, wreck their confidence. That has not been the case for one Penguins young player, Philip Tomasino.