Dan’s Daily: Senators Push Trade, Penguins Dumping Points

(Somewhere Between Boston & Las Vegas) — The Pittsburgh Penguins bolted after another blown lead but I had one more morning in Boston before I’m off to Las Vegas. Afterall, I’m a limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ n’ dealin’ son of a gun.

The Ottawa Senators are trying hard to move heavy defenseman Nikita Zaitsev on the NHL trade block and are willing to include a draft pick to get it done. Ken Warren also wonders if Ottawa can really afford Alex DeBrincat after this season. Conor Bedard scored a wicked good goal to rescue Team Canada from being upset by Slovakia do the Sharks have what the Islanders need?

Whoo!

Quick note: Winnipeg waived Jansen Harkens, a gritty fourth-liner type. I wonder if the Penguins will put a claim on him. We learned after the game — despite Mike Sullivan saying the scratches were “coach’s decisions” — that Ryan Poehling missed the Classic due to injury. Something has to give with the Penguins’ bottom six, yeah?

Note 2: We join the Pitt community and the sports world at large in our co,ncern and best wishes for Damar Hamlin.

Note 3: We send our deepest condolences to the Letang family after the sudden passing of Kris’s father this weekend.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates:

LOTS of stuff to go over. Always visit the homepage. I’m going to skip a couple of stories from the Winter Classic for space.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Letang is back in Montreal. He was unlikely to play in the Winter Classic, but that is secondary to being with family. Kris Letang.

PHN+: The Penguins looked great for most of the Winter Classic. And then … they didn’t. Coach Mike Sullivan made a few decisions, too. The full Penguins report card.

Boston Hockey Now: From the flip side — Man on a Mission: Jake DeBrusk plays hero for the Boston Bruins.

If you want to know what’s wrong with the Penguins — take a look at the game-winning goal by DeBrusk. The Penguins had it covered, then became the Keystone Cops in the blink of an eye. Take a look at the Penguins breakdown.

Penguins Locker Room: Another lost lead. Sidney Crosby shook his head after the game.

Steelers Now:

Miles Garrett is going to do everything he can to end the Steelers playoff hopes.

The Steelers playoff scenarios are suddenly — not bad.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

NYI Hockey Now: The New York Islanders are the team that could end the Penguins’ playoff streak. They’re in a battle, and New York is shopping. Is San Jose’s Timo Meier the right NHL trade deadline target for the New York Islanders?

Sportsnet: I’m not sure what to make of this. J.T. Miller is the only Canucks veteran that hasn’t filled the NHL trade rumors this season, but everyone is available, too. So, after barking at the backup goalie to get off the ice and other incidents, Miller was roasted in the media. He’s carrying the frustration of the losing season.

Twitter: Kevin Weekes reports the Senators are attaching a high pick to move defenseman NIkita Zaitsev.

**Keep an eye 👁️ on**
I’m told @Senators are actively actively seeking a trade of D Zaitsev. They’ve granted permission to his representatives to speak with clubs. My understanding is Sens willing to move high draft pick or a prospect to accommodate trade. @NHL #HockeyTwitter

— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) January 1, 2023

Ottawa Sun: Ken Warren wonders if Alex DeBrincat will be available again.

Montreal Hockey Now: It’s been a wild year in Montreal. The top five surprises for the Montreal Canadiens.

Vegas Hockey Now: Five Bold predictions in 2023 for the Pittsburgh Penguins next opponent — the Vegas Golden Knights.