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Dan’s Daily: Countdown to Trade Deadline, Updated Penguins Needs

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Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL trade deadline, Claude Giroux

We are finally within the final four weeks until the NHL trade deadline. This year is marked by the lack of early Jim Rutherford trade, the Edmonton Oilers goalie hunting, the Washington Capitals looking for forward help, the Boston Bruins being in on every big name (again), the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t take anything off the table, and we updated the Pittsburgh Penguins trade needs. TSN provided the Canadian teams’ wishlists, too.

On the ice, the Montreal Canadiens look like an NHL team under Martin St. Louis, the Bruins surprised the Avalanche, the Calgary Flames won their 10th in a row, and the Philadelphia Flyers looked good for 60 but couldn’t finish the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Penguins’ loss to Carolina on Sunday will be tough to overcome in the divisional race. And–there will be a BIG difference between finishing first (getting Washington) or finishing second (getting the New York Rangers) in Round One.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: the Penguins cleared a couple of roster spots and salary on Monday. They activated Drew O’Connor from LTIR but demoted him and Radim Zohorna to the WBS Penguins. Pittsburgh Penguins roster moves.

The Penguins’ needs are changing. We once thought backup goalie or defenseman was their top priority. Now, GM Ron Hextall needs a middle-six scoring winger. Here are five to watch at the NHL trade deadline.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

TSN: The Canadian teams trade deadline wishlists and previews.

Sportsnet: A fun go-round on the deadline. Players to watch, long shots, and most exciting teams.

Western Conference:

San Jose: The San Jose Sharks appear to be sellers at the deadline. What is the cost for Tomas Hertl and others at the NHL trade deadline?

Vegas: Even without Marc-Andre Fleury, I know many of you still follow Vegas. On Monday night, they sank the Sharks. Things are clicking for Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights.

Calgary: Perfect 10. The Calgary Flames won their 10th in a row.

Eastern Conference & Metro:

Montreal: What? They’re are jelling and they’re starting to have that fresh, having fun feeling. The Canadiens won their third straight and beat the Toronto Maple Leafs. Postgame Poutine for the Montreal Canadiens.

Also–National Hockey Now hired an exciting new writer to join the Montreal Hockey Now team. Marco D’Amico, a prospects guru and Canadiens reporter is now on our Canadiens team.

Boston: Beware the Bruins. Maybe. They surely disposed of the Avalanche on Monday night. Are the Boston Bruins about to get hot?

New York Post: Yes, the Avs are in on Cal Clutterbuck, but Larry Brooks thinks the New York Rangers should be, too.

Detroit: The flip side of Boston winning–fans in Detroit are starting to wonder if their Red Wings can catch the Bruins for the wild card. The Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs?

Philly: Five straight losses, but they took the Carolina Hurricanes to the mat. The Philadelphia Flyers are snakebitten.

Washington: Sound familiar–injuries and illness have kept the lineup apart for months. T.J. Oshie is back on the ice, same with Anthony Mantha. The entire Washington Capitals roster was together for the first time.