Dan’s Daily: Marc-Andre Fleury Booed, Penguins & Crosby Are Rolling

The Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling. As Sidney Crosby noted following the Penguins’ 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, wins in October count for the same two points as wins in March. PHN has full Penguins coverage below. Minnesota fans booed Marc-Andre Fleury, and he agreed with them. The NHL cleared Ian Cole. Matt Murray is out for several weeks after injuring his groin in the morning skate. Pat Brisson could lead Hockey Canada, and the Washington Capitals signed an unemployed fan favorite.

That’s a lot to digest, isn’t it?

I don’t have any comments on the Ian Cole situation. I think many readers assumed there was a police investigation in addition to the NHL’s look into the anonymous Twitter accusation. To our knowledge, the accuser didn’t file a complaint, which means the investigation was limited to the few details from the Tweet thread. I don’t believe the NHL took this lightly. I know some national media outlets also assigned their investigative reporters to the situation.

Here’s the story — the NHL cleared Cole because they found “no evidence,” and the NHLPA issued a stern warning against future suspensions for unsubstantiated allegations. Ian Cole cleared.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates:

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari’s always enjoyable Penguins recap.

PHN Video: Watch the PHN Penguins postgame analysis.

PHN+: The wingers were flying. The stars are scoring. Read the in-depth, complete Pittsburgh Penguins report card.

Steelers Now:

• Yikes. The Buccaneers and Tom Brady are in town. Check out the hobbled Steelers depth chart.
• The Steelers placed DeMarvin Leal on IR and elevated three DBs from the practice squad.
• Bryce Burna and/or Jaycee Horn — Could we see a Steelers trade?

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Marc-Andre Fleury gave up four goals on 14 shots. He called the fourth goal “stupid.” Minnesota fans let him have it.

Marc-Andre Fleury on the boos from the crowd: “I don’t blame them. I’d boo myself. I was not good.” He said it’ll be hard to sleep tonight. #MNWild

— Dane Mizutani (@DaneMizutani) October 16, 2022

Sportsnet HNIC: The first Hockey Night in Canada of the season. Elliotte Friedman floated a very interesting name for the new head of Hockey Canada — Pat Brisson?

ESPN: From bad to worse for Matt Murray. He injured his groin in the morning skate on Saturday. He’s out for at least four weeks.

Seriously, it’s hard not to feel for the guy.

Washington Hockey Now: Sonny Milano didn’t catch on with the Calgary Flames, but he has a new home — the Washington Capitals.

Montreal: The Capitals beat Montreal, 3-1, on Saturday. The debate has begun. Does first-overall pick Juraj Slafkovsky need more ice time? Montreal Canadiens notes.

Boston: I enjoyed this story. New Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery is turning his bruiser, Trent Frederic, loose. The coach told Frederick, “Time to hunt.” Boston Bruins coverage.

Florida: Dear Lord. Another reverse retro jersey has been leaked. These are getting uglier and uglier. Check out this goofy Florida Panthers sweater.

And the worst, I mean THE worst, jersey I’ve ever seen from a beer league, pee wee, or the California Penal League: The Tampa Bay Lightning’s retro. See below.

The #GoBolts will be bringing back the infamous “storm jersey” in what a source tells me “light coloured base”@orionataylor pic.twitter.com/i45tpxp6Rz

— Ali Murji (@AliMurji1) October 15, 2022

I don’t know how to describe that one.

Dallas Hockey Now: Life is easier when your stars are scoring. A two-game sweep over Nashville for the Dallas Stars.

San Jose Hockey Now: It’s been a bad start to the season in San Jose. Sheng Peng writes — It’s not hard to figure out what’s wrong with the San Jose Sharks.

And, I’ll shill for one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time. Clerks III. It was a brilliant goodbye. The plot. The callbacks. And, yes, if Dante and Randall discussing the culpability of the Death Star contractors, lasagna and 37 was part of your maturation, you will tear up. It’s streaming now.

That’s how we did it in the ’90’s, son!