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Dan’s Daily: Karlsson & Horvat Trade Talk, New Penguins Lines

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Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL trade talk surrounds Erik Karlsson

ST. PAUL — The Pittsburgh Penguins will not face former Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury on Thursday night as he has an upper-body injury. Coach Mike Sullivan un-shuffled his lines on Wednesday at practice. Dave Molinari got to avoid the frozen prairies and cover practice in Cranberry. Is Erik Karlsson on the NHL trade block, or is it idle chatter? NHL GMs discussed rules changes at the latest NHL GMs meetings, and maybe we should start paying attention to the 2023 NHL Draft prospect rankings.

Greetings from Minnesota. It is both cold and snowy. It’s also empty. The downtown area is beautiful but out of business. It’s quite striking. The hotel clerk (he might also own this beautiful place that was a convent college for a century) tells me that “Minne-snow-dens” worked from home during the pandemic, and no one came back to the city.

I’d be a terrible Travel Channel host. Just me walking to Speedway for a sandwich and bag of gummy bears.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates (Sports Now PGH)

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Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Coach Mike Sullivan had to make some changes — Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have new wingers. The Penguins practice report.

It’s a “Wild” night here, but the misery is mutual. Both Minnesota and the Penguins are riding the struggle bus.

Steelers Now:

  • Devon Bush and Larry Ogunjobi were among seven who missed practice. Steelers injury update.
  • The Steelers not only got bumped from primetime this week, but they also are not even the marquee 4 p.m. game. Steelers TV schedule.
  • The sights and sounds. Video rolling — Minkah Fitzpatrick was back at practice.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates roster has one flaw above all others. Check it out — Pittsburgh Pirates analysis.

NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now:

San Jose Hockey Now: Yesterday, it was news when San Jose GM Mike Grier said the team would listen to offers for Erik Karlsson. Then Elliotte Friedman dropped a little nugget that the Ottawa Senators have called. It’s quite the NHL trade rumors chatter.

NYI: TSN’s Craig Button said he thinks Bo Horvat is done in Vancouver and needs a change asap. The NHL trade chatter has been surprisingly quiet on Horvat and Vancouver. So, what about the New York Islanders?

NHL.com: Rules changes for an “evolving” NHL. Here’s what the NHL GMs discussed. If you read the story, be prepared to shake your head and exclaim something about, “same old NHL.”

The kicking issue seems easy to me, and I’m curious if you agree. We know the basic “kicking motion,” though even that seems to get trampled. If a guy turns his skate to deflect a shot, isn’t that kicking? Unless it’s accidental, I’m against intentional skate-directed goals.

Sportsnet: Maybe we should start paying attention to the top half of the 2023 NHL Draft? We know Connor Bedard, but who else?

Washington Hockey Now: Age-old problem. Top prospect ready for NHL, not playing enough, everyone wonders. Connor McMichael has not yet established a place in the needy Capitals’ lineup, so at what point should the Washington Capitals consider a trade?

Detroit: Dylan Larkin is playing pretty, pretty well. Five random thoughts on the much-improved Detroit Red Wings.

Vegas: GM Kelly McCrimmon has been under intense scrutiny since trading Marc-Andre Fleury last year, the salary cap crunch, Jack Eichel not having a great season, and more. But all of that is changing as the VGK are cutting through the NHL this season. The Vegas Golden Knights GM addressed it all.

LA Hockey Now: Trevor Moore had the hat trick, and the Oilers were no match for the LA Kings, 3-1.

Dallas Hockey Now: Sure, it’s a concern. Marshmallowy defense. After a great start, Dallas lost three in a row. DHN beat writer Sam Nestler broke down the Dallas Stars‘ breakdowns.