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Dan’s Daily: Flyers Hunt Big Moves; New Names Available; Penguins Big Chances

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a pair of big guys who use their size to their advantage and appear ready to give both a healthy chance to stick around. Dave’ Molinari talked with Boko Imama about his fighting chance (see what Dave did there?), and we also had a chat with defenseman Vincent Desharnais to get a pulse on the Penguins’ new big guy on the blue line. Evgeni Malkin hit the ice, too. Elsewhere in the Daily, the Philadelphia Flyers have signaled their intentions to go big game hunting on the NHL trade block and maybe the free agent market. There are a few new names on the NHL trade boards, Sportsnet looks at who else could move, and there’s bad news for the Islanders, Senators and Blue Jackets on the injury front.
The injuries could hinder a few Eastern Conference wild-card teams.
I think today I am finally back on Eastern time after that Penguins trip. Dozing off in the evening (as if it were a late afternoon nap), and then waking up at 2 or 3 a.m. then trying to go back to sleep for a few hours only to doze off just before the 6 a.m. alarm goes off is a frustrating way to start the day. If only Pittsburgh had some 24/7 restaurants still open, I could have gone for breakfast.
Also, are 24/7 restaurants a thing of the past, except in NYC and Vegas? I can’t say I blame places for closing. It was usually just me and a few weirdos. Or, as the weirdos would probably say, it was just me and this weirdo on a laptop.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The big guy has made a not-so-nice impression, and that’s a good thing. Dave Molinari squared up with the Penguins’ tough guy, Boko Imama.
Dave was on fire yesterday. With the chattering classes, including us, talking about Penguins trades and possibilities, the Penguins trade rumors are everywhere. Well, not quite everywhere. Here’s the one place you won’t hear the Penguins trade talk.
Back on the ice, but just working out (video included)–Evgeni Malkin.
PHN+: New defenseman Vincent Desharnais admitted things didn’t work out so well in Vancouver after he signed a two-year, $4 million deal. The big…BIG… defenseman seemed to like his first impressions of the Penguins system, but he has no pretense about what he’s here to do. Go inside the Penguins locker room.
Use code Dan10 or Dave10 or Shelly10 to get 10 bucks off a PHN+ subscription. We’ve had some pretty good content for subscribers, including prescient conversations with Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor, rebuilding strategies, behind-the-scenes on the road trip, and a bit more on Alex Nedeljkovic’s effect on the team.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
NYI Hockey Now: Bad news for the red-hot New York Islanders. Mathew Barzal is out indefinitely. Russ Macias also dug into how that may affect the Islanders’ trade deadline plans.
In other wild card-related injury news, the Columbus Blue Jackets have lost Kirill Marchenko for “weeks,” and the Ottawa Senators will be without Josh Norris for weeks, too.
Sportsnet: The trade rumor roundup. The Philadelphia Flyers have specially announced their intention to be players. General manager Daniel Briere said the Flyers cleared cap space and are going big game hunting,
Philly Hockey Now: OK, so what does that mean? Briere telegraphing that the Flyers want to make a splash could mean free agency, trades, and RFA offer sheets. Will James took his best shot at the potential of it all, including some big-name Flyers trade targets.
DHN+: (Subscribers, make sure to log in). The five unheralded factors of the certainly unheralded surge that have the Detroit Red Wings in playoff contention.
Florida Hockey Now: No talk of tariffs and no executive orders. President Trump stuck to hockey and honored the Florida Panthers.
However, if Trump signed an order forcing Sunrise to build a couple more hotels near the arena, maybe some clean two-star spots, that wouldn’t be his worst move.
Boston Hockey Now: For my college hockey folks or those who just love a great event. Boston and BU are in the Beanpot Final.
The 2021 Beanpot was easily, far and away, the most fun I’ve ever had at a hockey game. It was glorious.
TSN: Ryan Hartman essentially gave Tim Stutzle a Pedigree in the faceoff circle. For that dangerous move, the NHL levied 10 games, the longest suspension in seven years.
Daily Faceoff: Some new names on the trade board, including more Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks bait.
I keep wondering if Seth Jones makes sense for the Penguins because it would allow them to part with some bad salary but plug a potentially dynamic righty into the mix.
I find it hilarious that the Flyers organization thinks they’re going to land a big name star like Mikko or Marner this offseason. They got absolutely fleeced by the Flames, have literally no stars at center, and all their eggs are in the Michkov/Kuzmenko basket. Michkov looks great but Torts is obviously hindering his development. Here’s to hoping the Flyers suck for another 50 years
Free agents are going to really go for the money with the cap going up. The flyers could afford an overpay, so its not out of the realm of possibility.
I expect them to be players of some kind this off-season.
Players don’t want to play for an Asshat like Tortellini
What bad contract do you think the Pens could offload for Jones? The ones I see have some type of No Trade/Movement clause (full or limited). Why would they want to go to Chicago where they have some young talent, but aren’t serious cup contenders yet.
Graves, Jarry make sense to me. Perhaps later, I’ll publish the numbers. I’d like to see a salary dump to gauge the new market.
I think the Penguins have already cornered the market on overpaid defenseman. So sure, why not add Jones? 🤣
Stop wondering if Seth Jones makes sense. He is so overrated.
There was a time I liked Jones as a player a lot but that star has long since faded and
How do we get rid of bad salary if the guy coming back is being paid 9.5m for another 3 years and hasnt clipped 40 points in years??
Dan met you on the plane ride back from Utah. In Florida the Waffle House Never closes.
You saw me at my best. Some sleep and happy to be headed home. But how awesome was SLC?
Dan its a shame there are no Winkys around anymore….great food for 3AM…!
Say it ain’t so Pujo!