Dan’s Daily: D-Men Draw Interest on Trade Market, Penguins Make Changes

At first, it looked like just something to keep practice fresh. Jeff Carter skated on Evgeni Malkin’s left wing, even Radim Zohorna got some ice time with Sidney Crosby, but Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sulivan made significant changes to the lines and confirmed the strong possibility we’ll see the surprise lines on Thursday night. Team USA lost the Round Robin game against Canada and lost the big one. Jeff Petry in Montreal and the Buffalo Sabres defensemen are drawing interest on the NHL trade market.

We’ll start with NHL trade rumors today.

TSN: The TSN Insiders report that NHL trade chatter is building in the Buffalo Sabres defensemen, Robert Hagg and Colin Miller, and Cody Eakin.

Sportsnet: A little bump for our colleague Jimmy Murphy. About three weeks ago, he reported Jeff Petry could be had. He took some ridicule in Montreal, but now it’s confirmed reporting by multiple outlets. Jeff Petry is officially on the NHL trade block.

I continue to believe Kris Letang is a bad fit for Montreal, but the message board beliefs hold firm. If Montreal needs a top-pair right-side defenseman, that worry about Letang going to Montreal will only get louder(and I will still say it’s a terrible fit).

And now to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Mike Sullivan wasn’t kidding around. He wants more sustained offensive pressure, and he’s not getting it from the middle six, so Sullivan jostled the Penguins lines.

PHN+: WIth those new lines, E-Rod, you’re up! Confidence and opportunity will be an interesting story– Kasperi Kapanen will try to find his and the Penguins spark with “new” center Evan Rodrigues.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now

Philly: It’s not quite confirming the hot NHL trade rumors, but Claude Giroux spoke to the media. Sam Carchidi had some real thoughts on the chat, picked up a few “past tense” usages, and noted Giroux’s body language. It sure sounds like Giroux’s time is done with the Philadelphia Flyers.

TSN: They are elated in Canada. The Canadian women beat Team USA to win the gold medal.

Vegas: It was the biggest story in the NHL for months. It dominated NHL trade rumors and Vegas coverage for…months. Wednesday night Jack Eichel made his VGK debut, but the Colorado Avalanche shut out the Vegas Golden Knights.

Colorado: From the flip side, Colorado squashed their rival. Not only that, folks in Colorado are a little unhappy about Vegas finding salary cap space. Check Adrian Dater’s headline for the victorious Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal: It doesn’t sound like Brendan Gallagher is putting himself on the NHL trade block. He sounds excited about rebuilding the Montreal Canadiens.

Vancouver: Pandemic restrictions are abating in Canada. This week, the Rogers Center will be 100% capacity for the Vancouver Canucks.

And a scary moment as Canucks prospect Jack Rathbone was stretchered off the ice in Bakersfield.

Metro Division:

NYI: What the hell happened to the Islanders this season? Jordan Eberle and NHL trade chatter around the New York Islanders.

Washington: To be fair…  The Capitals are hunting for forwards on the NHL trade market, and one name that popped up is Victor Olofsson–who would fit quite nicely with the Washington Capitals.

Florida: Good news for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Florida Panthers launched a playoff-style comeback win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Florida Panthers recap.