Dan’s Daily: Big-Name Injuries, Trade Block, & Penguins Fixes

The Pittsburgh Penguins need a fix. Never before has one facet of their game so crumbled the team psyche, but the current power play is wrecking the team as more rivals jump past them in the standings. We’ll get into the one fix this writer thinks is overdue. Also in the Daily, the NHL injury list got longer as big names were dropping Saturday. Dylan Larkin, Boone Jenner, and more were hurt. The Washington Capitals are making a big pitch for UFA defenseman Ethan Bear, and Tony DeAngelo has joined Tyson Barrie on the NHL trade block.

I hope everyone has a moment tonight to check out WPXI’s Final Word after football and the news. I’m back after the travel schedule took me away for most of November. I’m sure we’ll talk about the Penguins’ problems.

After a day of planes, trains, and buses, I absolutely crashed before 8 p.m. last night. The body is letting me know sleep is OK. But before I passed out, I watched the new Monk movie on Peacock. There’s no question the streaming services are shamelessly pilfering our wallets for one-month subs with these nostalgic remakes, but Monk was worth the $6.41. It’s got the schlocky acting from the villains, and the movie openly laughs at the “Here’s what happened…” line. This movie critic enjoyed it but then immediately canceled my Peacock subscription.

When they finally finish the Community movie, I’ll do the same. #SixSeasonsandaMovie

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The one-timers. Comparing Alex Nylander and Valtteri Puustinen, the power play’s corrosive effect, and the four people who can fix this mess. The Penguins analysis.

If you didn’t get to see it yet, today is a good day to check out the Patric Hornqvist coverage. He’s at peace; he didn’t get a final game to say goodbye, but the ceremony was closure. Here’s the raw video from the press conference.

The Penguins practice this morning. I think we’re going to get some news on Bryan Rust today or tomorrow. He’s a big deal for the lineup.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: It’s Saturday, which means Elliotte Friedman drops the big news on Hockey Night in Canada. Side note: I really like Elliotte’s work. He delivers it straight without caveats and “could-be.” The lead note for Penguins fans is the Capitals are making a strong pitch for Ethan Bear.

Note: I can watch the HNIC video on my phone but not my laptop because of geographic restrictions.

The big names were dropping yesterday.

Detroit Hockey Now: A cross-check from behind left the captain face-down on the ice. The Red Wings lost the game, the plot, and Dylan Larkin.

NHL.com: Boone Jenner is out for weeks with a broken jaw.

DFO: The Seattle Kraken ended their game without two important pieces. Goalie Philipp Grubauer and defenseman Justin Schultz left the game.

TSN: Tony DeAngelo has joined Tyson Barrie on the NHL trade block, but will anybody bite?

Metro Division

Sportsnet: The slumping Carolina Hurricanes lost and then held a players-only meeting after a rough 0-4-0 western roadie.

We’re in the process of re-staffing Carolina Hockey Now. We’ll get back there, but the initial attempt didn’t attract many readers to a very interesting team.

Philly Hockey Now: Those Flyers. Give John Tortorella some molding clay, some grinders, and a goalie, and he will win. The Colorado Avalanche were the latest victim as Travis Konecny and Carter Hart shined in a Philadelphia Flyers win.

NYI Hockey Now: More bad news for the Penguins, too. The Islanders snapped a long third-period funk, and they ended the LA Kings’ historic 11-0 road winning streak. The New York Islanders rallied for two points.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Even the Devils are beginning to pull ahead of the Penguins. The Devils came in hot against the Flames. Here is what’s up with the New Jersey Devils.