Dan’s Daily: Big Rangers Trade, Islanders Lose, & Penguins News

Big names in big trades are landing in the Metro Division and Eastern Conference playoff race. There are a few NHL trade rumors today. The New York teams are using the trade deadline to improve–first, Bo Horvat to the Islanders, and Thursday, the Rangers snagged Vladimir Tarasenko. The Canucks gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a little help o the ice, a pair of Penguins took steps forward in their injury recovery, and Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is lucky to be out only day-to-day after getting hit by a car on his way to dinner.

The Tarasenko deal sent Penguins fans into a bit of a tizzy, but it really shouldn’t. The Penguins don’t need a top-six winger.

I thought the Rangers would give up Alexis Lafreniere in a Timo Meier deal, but Tarasenko and snarling defenseman Niko Mikkola were a great get. Mikkola will bring more physicality to the Rangers’ blue line. The Rangers are stout, but that doesn’t affect the Penguins’ playoff chase, only a potential second-round match-up.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dave Molinari was momentarily pleased when his Anaheim hotel was across the street from a Target with prepared sandwiches. Also, get the full update on the Penguins’ injuries — Jan Rutta joined the team for the first time, and Tristan Jarry moved closer to joining the lineup when he participated in most of the practice. Penguins news.

Rickard Rakell has no regrets about re-signing with the Penguins. He returns to the Honda Center for the first time since the Penguins acquired him near last year’s NHL trade deadline.

Steelers Now: The Steelers came home empty-handed from the NFL Honors, but–take a look–the league memorialized Franco Harris.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The World Baseball Classic returns for the first time since 2017, and, believe it or not, a trio of Pittsburgh Pirates will participate.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

Let’s do this rapid-fire today.

NHL.com: The big deal went down. Vladimir Tarasenko to the New York Rangers for Sammy Blais, a throw-in ECHL prospect and picks. Full details.

Call the Rangers the winner on that deal.

StL Dispatch: Here’s a fun, scathing column — St. Louis fans/media ripped into the Blues afterward.

TSN: Tarasenko going to the Rangers removed one potential Patrick Kane suitor. Now, it’s Ryan O’Reilly’s turn to be front and center on the NHL trade block.

Sportsnet: Power rankings with a positive twist — one thing to like about each team.

Calgary Hockey Now: I’ve been in a motorcycle accident before (I limped around for a few weeks, but I managed to avoid the car that pulled out in front of me). They can scare the hell out of you and a little bit more. Rasmus Andersson took a scooter to get dinner in Detroit but was hit by a car. He’s OK — here’s the full story. Calgary Flames news.

Montreal Hockey Now: While Joel Edmundson is the hot blue-line target, here are the forwards most likely on the move. Christian Dvorak you say? Montreal Canadiens trade talk.

Boston Hockey Now: GM Don Sweeney isn’t shy about chasing big names, even if his success rate has been low. He’s hunting a defenseman for the playoff run. Here’s the latest Boston Bruins trade chatter.

Colorado Hockey Now: It seems the loss to the Penguins sent Colorado into a little tailspin. They were dreadful in a Stanley Cup rematch against Tampa Bay, losing 5-0. Here are the few pluses and many minuses from Evan Rawal after the Colorado Avalanche loss.

Vegas Hockey Now: Bad news in Sin City on several levels. The VGK rolled over Minnesota 5-1, but starting goalie Logan Thompson left the game with an injury. That could impact Vegas at the NHL trade deadline and on the ice. The Vegas Golden Knights story.

Metro Division / Eastern Conference Playoff Race:

NYI Hockey Now: The Penguins should thank the Vancouver Canucks. After the big Bo Horvat trade last week, the Islanders and Canucks squared up. Anthony Beauvillier haunted his old team, and Vancouver rallied for a wild 6-5 win over the New York Islanders.

Philly: Those scrappy Tortorella Flyers are figuring out how to win. It’s pretty impressive. Thursday, they silenced Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. Yep, the Philadelphia Flyers beat Edmonton 2-1.

Washington Hockey Now: Needing a spark, coach Peter Laviolette shuffled Anthony Mantha and the Washington Capitals lines again.

Guess who skated before practice — Tom Wilson.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers finally … finally .. have a little winning streak after beating San Jose. The Florida Panthers have won a season-best three in a row.