Dan’s Daily: NHL Trade Talks Heat Up; Crosby & Malkin Rescue Penguins

What is a coach to do when most of his players are more geared toward low-scoring third-liners? Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan broke with his tradition and has paired Sidney Crosby with Evgeni Malkin, eschewing lineup balance in exchange for adequate levels of offense, and the duo with Rickard Rakell dominated the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday. We’ve got the full analysis and some video, too. Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade chatter is warming up as some teams aren’t waiting to fall behind before they seek help, and the Buffalo Sabres are one of those teams. The Detroit Red Wings coach publicly called out his captain. And, after publicly poking his coach about his lower ice time, Toronto Maple Leafs star William Nylander scored a pair of goals in a big win.

We’ve officially reached a point in the NHL in which October is no longer an ease-in period, though I am here for friction between coaches and star players and NHL trade chatter. As noted above, Buffalo is hunting. I can also confirm that a Buffalo scout has spent at least a couple of games following the Penguins on the road trip.

I miss most holidays and parties and other cool events. When you work 365, and the NHL schedule owns your life, such things are inevitable. So, this year, I really wanted to go out for Halloween. It’s been a few years since I dressed as Randall Graves from Clerks (very well, I might add), but I didn’t have a lot of time to devote. I had a costume, I wrapped up my work at the arena as fast as I possibly could Thursday night, and I had time for one drink before they called Last Call! Don’t judge too harshly. I had to walk over in the rain.

No, we don’t know what astronaut Dr. is, either. pic.twitter.com/2huCWZlbSJ

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) November 1, 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The streak is over. Finally. The six-game winless streak hung in the balance for more than 60 minutes. Despite a dominating performance, the Penguins couldn’t finish the Anaheim Ducks, and the Penguins’ mistakes yielded three Grade A chances in the final few minutes, but … it was s 2-1 win thanks to Sidney Crosby.

The report card. In-depth Xs and Os about what the Pens did right. Also, a breakdown of what they did wrong. And some incredible statistical analysis of how silly good the Malkin-Crosby-Rakell line was. Sink your teeth into the Penguins analysis.

PHN YouTube: Head over to our channel. Like and Subscribe. Here’s the five (OK, seven) minute Penguins postgame.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

32 Thoughts: The Buffalo Sabres and Colorado Avalanche are hunting but for different things. Colorado is looking for short-term help, while Buffalo (always) needs real help. The opening salvo of the NHL trade chatter that’s coming.

Detroit Hockey Now: It’s never a good sign when a coach or captain calls out the other publicly. However, that’s where they are in Detroit, where a slow start with a 4-5-1 record and a minus-7 goal differential has coach Derek Lalonde publicly challenging Dylan Larkin.

Philly Hockey Now: Benching the young player? Penguins fans would go nuts if Mike Sullivan did that, but I think reading this might help a few understand. Coach John Tortorella gave splinters to star rookie Matvei Michkov. Tortorella didn’t give specifics but gave a coach’s perspective on why such a move was necessary for the Philadelphia Flyers.

NYI Hockey Now: I love that several of our writers banded together with a common theme. The “spooky” stats that should send shivers down the backs of fans, keep coaches up at night and are otherwise a bad moon rising. Some of these stats are downright brutal for the New York Islanders.

I fully intended to do one for the Penguins, but after the morning skate, doing payroll for the network, a couple of tough phone calls to some places not doing well, and the onset of bronchitis slowed me down just a bit, by the time I was done with the external nonsense, it was time to go to the game. I owe you a couple of columns today.

TSN: The Great 8 is hot. He can smell that record, and the revamped roster is fueling the fire. Alex Ovechkin added another goal and two assists (he can pass?!), and the Washington Capitals are starting to roll. That’s 858 goals for Ovechkin.

Publicly call out your coach, then go score a couple of goals? Yep, William Nylander talked, then walked, in the Maple Leafs win over the Seattle Kraken. I’m not sure if its good or bad friction in Toronto, but coach Craig Berube sure is pushing some buttons.