Dan’s Daily: Goalless Penguins, Quenneville Pays the Price

The Pittsburgh Penguins earned chances but probably didn’t have the talent to beat a goalie standing on his head. We’ve got the complete analysis of the Penguins game. The Vegas Golden Knights made a couple of moves that could be setting the stage for a biggie. The fallout from the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault coverup rightly claimed Joel Quenneville, and speculation regarding the Blackhawks next GM includes a couple of former Penguins GMs.

We’ll do the Pittsburgh Penguins news and links first, then get to the heavyweight news.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins ran smack into a hot goalie. Calgary Flames netminder Jacob Markstrom was brilliant. He made 45 saves and shut out the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. 

PHN+: I think the losses provide more insight than wins, sometimes. We broke down the tactical game, what Calgary did that gave the Penguins trouble in the first period, and what the Penguins didn’t do for the rest of the game. Plus, player grades. 

Here’s the coverage from our buddy Steve Macfarlane in Calgary. The Flames enjoyed Markstrom’s performance, eh?

NHL News and National Hockey Now

There was no other choice.

Florida: After meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday afternoon, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville–who was the head coach of the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks and allegedly ignored the assault because it was a distraction before the Stanley Cup Final–resigned on Thursday night.

The circumstantial evidence that Quenneville knew was too great. If Stan Bowman had corroborated Quenneville’s story, Quenneville probably survives, but everyone else stated he knew and didn’t want the distraction. His recommendation letter for Brad Aldrich, which allowed the predator to get a high school job, is stunning.

The Athletic: Our buddy Mark Lazerus wrote a book on the Chicago Blackhawks called “If These Walls Could Talk.” He’s had access to so many untold stories and the people, including Quenneville. Laz hit Quenneville hard late last night: a fallen idol and his new, ugly legacy. 

Let the lesson be told. There isn’t a second option other than reporting it.

Lazerus and Scott Powers also dove into potential replacements, including Brian Burke’s son Patrick, Megan Chayka, Michael Futa, and as we reported on Wednesday, Eddie Olczyk. 

TSN: Darren Dreger opined that two former Penguins GMs could be in the mix, too: Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford.

I’d be shocked if Chicago hired another “old white man.” Perhaps one could be the President of Hockey Operations, but the GM will need to be an energetic breath of fresh air. The stench is too thick to go status quo.

Do you need a bath after all of that?

Here’s some FUN stuff:

Washington: Here ya go–even though it’s the Pittsburgh Penguins arch-rivals, the Washington Capitals had a ball with a puppy calendar shoot. Warning–lots of pictures with cute puppies. 

Detroit: Each year, this suburban Illinois couple goes all out for their son Anthony, who has cerebral palsy. The big Halloween theme this year is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off–complete with “replica” Ferrari. Anthony is in the back, dressed as Cameron with the Gordie Howe jersey. You’ve gotta see this one. 

NYI: Semyon Varlamov is ready to return for the New York Islanders, but in the meantime, Mathew Barzal decided to get fighting lessons from Matt Martin?!

Dude. Don’t. Just…don’t.

Colorado: Jordan Binnington threw another temper tantrum. He took a good swing at Nazem Kadri, too. 

Toronto: If you’re an Auston Matthews fan or think he’s got style, you’ll enjoy this. Matthews may have a new look for a good cause. 

AND THIS:

one of the min wild players fell during his rookie lap and ended up scoring his first nhl goal by bending down to grab his stick 😭 pic.twitter.com/PQt6v6cEI8

— undrafted free agent (@hayshartshart) October 29, 2021