Dan’s Daily: Wild 24 Hours, Evander Kane, Evgeni Malkin, & What the ?! in Florida

The National Hockey Now server was maxed out like a credit card before Christmas on Tuesday night. Embattled forward Evander Kane is getting close to a new contract with a new team. Evgeni Malkin returned to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup and popped three points. Bobby Clarke ripped current Penguins GM Ron Hextall, who saw the comments, and what the heck happened at the Florida Panthers game.

The Florida Hockey Now story was the first, or one of the first, to “explore” what Kodak Black (no, I’ve never heard of him before) was doing at the Florida Panthers game. We’ll save that for last.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Former Flyers GM and current senior advisor Bobby Clarke really laid the lumber on Ron Hextall for his tenure as the Flyers GM. Clarke hesitated, then ripped into Hextall, the current GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Stick tap to our colleague Sam Carchidi of Philly Hockey Now, who was the only reporter to the best of our knowledge to get a reaction from Hextall. 

Oh, the Penguins also played a game…

PHN+: The Penguins beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1. Get the player grades and analysis after the Penguins’ 11th win in 12 games and three points from returning hero Evgeni Malkin.

Get the whole Evgeni Malkin postgame experience. “I hope I score hat tricks soon,” Malkin said. Coaches and teammates praised him in the Penguins postgame.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Philly: A cool story that was lost in the shuffle. Philadelphia is not happy their season officially hit the skids because COVID decimated their lineup, but they had to keep playing. Carchidi got some answers from the NHL–why do some teams get a postponement while others become sacrificial lambs, like the Philadelphia Flyers?

Vegas: It’s getting close–Malkin returned Tuesday. Jack Eichel took part in the morning skate for the Vegas Golden Knights. 

San Jose: Sheng Peng is working his sources and following the national stories (seemingly all out of Toronto). The former (maybe future?) San Jose Sharks forward will sign elsewhere soon.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports that Connor McDavid is on board with the Edmonton Oilers signing Kane.

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman, of course, stirs the NHL trade rumors, has thoughts on where Kane could wind up, but also–what can the Sharks do with all of that money?

Boston: Crack open the Bud Light. Tuuka Rask is back with the Boston Bruins. 

NYI: Kyle Palmieri did not have a great end to the regular season in 2020-21, and he’s playing so well this year …and that’s why he may be OUT of the New York Islanders lineup. 

Washington: The Capitals are becoming a grumpy bunch. The Pittsburgh Penguins keep getting closer…and closer…in the Metro standings, but no panic button, yet, for the Washington Capitals. 

Calgary: After a great start, things are going sideways for the Calgary Flames.

And, the story that is going mega-viral…  Good lord, what is the dude thinking…(wait, I know that answer)

Florida: Some people are disputing the story, but truthfully–the closeup video is even worse. The Panthers welcomed rapper Kodak Black to the game. He and his female companion sat near the glass for a while, then retired to a luxury box where it appeared that they proceeded to, ummmmm, do things you don’t do in public, right next to the Florida Panthers management suite.

…You’re alone in a luxury box. Your eyes meet over complimentary chicken tenders and a half-glass of Labatt Blue. Miley Cyrus comes on the PA system. She smiles…you smile… Who hasn’t been there before?

There’s a closeup tweet video floating around that claims the pair were “just dancing,” but if that were “just dancing,” I’d like to go “just dancing” more often…