Dan’s Daily: Edmonton Latest Guentzel Trade Noise; Penguins Critiques

It seems Edmonton is the latest city to bite into the NHL trade rumors for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jake Guentzel, who remains unsigned and a pending unrestricted free agent. The Penguins registered a pretty good win Tuesday, but it wasn’t without a spotlight on existing problems. We go through the criticisms, fair and unwarranted, around Erik Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin, and Mike Sullivan. Brendan Dillon got a three-game suspension for his headshot on Noel Acciari. Elliotte Friedman dropped a few more nuggets on the dystopian future of the Arizona Coyotes.

I leave for Minneapolis/St. Paul this morning. For the coming road trip, I’ve downloaded a few things to watch, including a few seasons of Cheers. I’d forgotten how good that show was, especially the first three seasons. Rewatching Cheers, which I loved as a kid, has been an experience. When I was younger, I didn’t appreciate Shelly Long as Diane. She was incredibly nuanced and funny. But Netflix has the option to skip the theme song?! That’s half the fun.

And the NHL’s Department of Player Safety (DoPS) got it right with the Brenden Dillon suspension. It might be the first time that I correctly predicted the punishment.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Is it possible? Are the Penguins actually and finally figuring out the key ingredient for power play success?

The NHL DoPS levied a legitimate punishment on Dillon. The defenseman got the gate for three games after his illegal headshot on Noel Acciari.

From Erik Karlsson and Ryan Graves stumbling, Evgeni Malkin and Reilly Smith going cold, to coach Mike Sullivan. The criticisms, solutions, and the Penguins win.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

Edmonton Journal: It appears the Edmonton Oilers are the next fanbase to go gaga over Jake Guentzel and the possibility that he’ll be on the NHL trade block. David Staples goes through the progressions — It would be a pretty good fit for Edmonton.

Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman’s weekly earth-moving column. Updates on the Coyotes’ failure/struggle to get a new arena and more about Chris Tanev on the trade block. 32 Thoughts.

The Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning, but Mikhail Sergachev had to be stretchered off the ice following a second-period collision.

The Rangers and Toronto won on Wednesday, so the Penguins received no help.

Montreal Hockey Now: Juraj Slavkovsky remains one of the more interesting first-overall picks. There was no clear consensus in 2022. His development has been a source of debate and consternation. However, as Marc Dumont writes, as his usage changes, so have the results for the Montreal Canadiens.

NYI Hockey Now: If you want to know one reason why Canada hasn’t had a Stanley Cup winner, the taxes are an issue. John Tavares is going to court to fight an assessment that means he owes millions more than he anticipated.

Andrew Fantucchio opened the floor to the readers’ questions. From Pierre Engvall to changing their trade deadline strategy, what’s up with the New York Islanders?

Philly Hockey Now: You gotta love Torts. The boys went to the wall to beat the Florida Panthers. The Flyers coach noticed, “Are you sh–ting me?” Coach’s praise for the Philadelphia Flyers.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Direct effect on the Penguins — when will Jack Hughes return for the New Jersey Devils?