Dan’s Daily: Ovechkin Speaks on Ukraine, Small Penguins Changes?

Give Alex Ovechkin a world of credit. The famously Russian star who tied himself to Vladimir Putin a few years ago had the courage to speak up on the invasion of Ukraine. In hockey matters, Toronto speculation is going mad for J.T. Miller, the Philadelphia Flyers are poking around the NHL trade market, and Jeff Petry may be a target. And Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was brusque when he shut down questions of the significance of lineup changes in practice.

Brad Marchand knows he’s on thin ice. Oh, and Sean Avery (how many of you remember him?) will not make a comeback in the ECHL. Before the comeback began, the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears waived him. c’est la vie.

We’ll start with Ovechkin because it transcends hockey, and he does hold a place in international politics because of his support and recruitment for Team Putin. Those of us old enough to remember the Soviets, or those of you lucky enough to attend schools that taught about it, no explanation of the evils are necessary. Putin is KGB, and his quest to “de-Nazify” a country with a Jewish president is almost Baghdad Bob funny if it weren’t so serious.

Washington: No, the Washington Capitals captain could not criticize Putin. He’d be floating in the Potomac after a freak running “accident” or “accidentally” find mercury in his Dr. Pepper. But he did his best to walk to the line, “No more war.” The full Alex Ovechkin comments.

Good on Ovi. That took real guts.

To hockey…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Head coach Mike Sullivan made a few changes to the lines in practice. Zach Aston-Reese was out, and Kasper Bjorkqvist was in. Pittsburgh Penguins practice.

The latest Penguins injury, and he’s out indefinitely (week-to-week)–Mike Matheson.

PHN+: And, we might see POJ. The Penguins recalled P.O. Joseph on Friday afternoon, but Sullivan curtly shut down questions if he would make changes. Bjorkqvist is excited to be here, and he may be in the Penguins lineup.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

It’s a light day.

Sportsnet: No matter how much Vancouver management tries to quell the chatter, Toronto chatter is fever-pitched over J.T. Miller trade rumors.

Thank you to the editors at Sportsnet for recognizing the excellent work by our Stefen Rosner.

Montreal: Props to our site in Montreal. They’re killing it since we re-fired in January. The latest NHL trade rumor is the Philadelphia Flyers may be interested in Jeff Petry.

Boston: There are rules for everyone, and there are rules for Brad Marchand–that’s how the Boston Bruins winger sees it.

Colorado: Examining the pros and cons of trading for Claude Giroux.

Detroit: Rebuilding is never fun. Gustav Lindstrom is a young defenseman with lots of promise and now earning his keep with the Detroit Red Wings.

San Jose: Another reason why Zdeno Chara would fit with the Penguins. Even on his record-breaking night, Chara dropped the gloves to teach a kid a lesson. Chara will be a good get, no matter if he’s lost a step, on the NHL trade market.

TSN: The Seattle Kraken are exploring trades for defenseman Mark Giordano.