Dan’s Daily: Guentzel Trade Watch Begins; Capitals Selling

Enjoy the excitement of the next few days because I suspect you may not like the hockey that follows. The Pittsburgh Penguins are preparing to say goodbye to winger Jake Guentzel as the NHL trade rumors are buzzing that a deal could go down today. TSN has been updating the Guentzel trade watch every four hours. On the ice, the Penguins were the better of two bad teams, and even coach Mike Sullivan admitted the noise around the team. Elsewhere, Noah Hanifin is the other prized acquisition about to move, Jason Zucker is sitting out in anticipation of a trade, and the Washington Capitals began selling.

It was a rough game to watch. Not even Sidney Crosby seemed to be himself.

A little note. Those mass of empty seats last night are why you push off a rebuild for as absolutely long as possible. Every fan says they’re sticking it out until they see the on-ice product. Then, everyone has a bevy of reasons to avoid going to the game. It’s Tuesday. It’s expensive. Parking sucks.

Hey, I get it. I get in for free, and I’m not criticizing anyone for not going to see a bad team, but I am explaining why organizations, especially one that now watches every nickel, put off rebuilding. Because for every fan who extols the virtue of young and hungry prospects showing their stuff, five more fans quietly stop buying tickets and merchandise and stop watching.

That’s part of the 3D decision-making that I don’t think enough people factor in when demanding this trade or that teardown.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Let’s start ON the ice.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins report card. It was a rough game to get through; the heartbreak and distraction of the Penguins win.

Dave Molinari and I made the same soft wisecrack about the Penguins’ video staff. Dave is on fire with his notes of irony and sarcasm. From the hockey gods befalling bad things on Drew O’Connor (concussion) to Jake Guentzel’s return, check out this morning’s Penguins six-pack.

Was coach Mike Sullivan foreshadowing what’s to come? O’Connor moved to center, and Lars Eller was on the top-line LW. Was it foreshadowing a Penguins trade?

And here’s the biggie. The NHL trade rumors are loud. Could the Vancouver Canucks pull off a three-way deal that involves Elias Lindholm to Boston and Jake Guentzel to Vancouver?

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now

TSN video: The insiders gathered again last night after the game to dig deeper into the Guentzel trade rumors and Noah Hanifin’s potential new address.

Vegas Hockey Now: The Washington Capitals started selling and got — in my opinion — a stunning return from the Vegas Golden Knights for Anthony Mantha.

32 Thoughts: A note on every team heading toward the NHL trade deadline.

I feel like I could stop there, but wait, there’s more!

Philly Hockey Now: Either or, but not both. Sean Walker or Nick Seeler, the Philadelphia Flyers will trade one.

Nashville Hockey Now: You’ve got to be kidding me. A center-ice goal? Yep–off the glass, nothing but net. Check out this wild Montreal Canadiens goal against the Nashville Predators.

Arizona Sports: Jason Zucker on the move. The Coyotes scratched Zucker for “trade-related” reasons.