Dan’s Daily: Trade Chatter Impasse; Crosby Injury Scare

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Canada are collectively holding their breath, awaiting the final injury verdict on Sidney Crosby. The Penguins center hasn’t missed a game in over two seasons, but on the eve of the Four Nations tournament, Crosby is dealing with something. Also, a Penguins prospect was honored, Marcus Pettersson got PAID, and closing the circle, the Penguins cleared a roster spot by sending Jesse Puljujarvi to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade chatter is hitting a wall. There is a lot of interest, but many of the better options are off the board, such as Mikko Rantanen, J.T. Miller, and Mikael Granlund. So, teams are focusing on others, and Dylan Cozens is the next in-demand name. The Toronto Maple Leafs want Mitch Marner’s real number, and in the 32 Thoughts column, Elliotte Friedman noted that Vegas and Edmonton also wanted Drew O’Connor.

Vancouver definitely won the bidding for Petterssona and O’Connor. I think Vegas would have put him to the best use, and Bruce Cassidy would be the right type of coach for O’Connor, but perhaps Rick Tocchet will fit the bill, too. Unfortunately, that Penguins trade cost PHN a couple of subscribers (players’ families) who are now Canucks fans. I always appreciate the critiques and notes of thanks from those close to the players. It can’t be easy reading about family because the news or analysis isn’t always good, right?

Greetings from New York City, where I escaped a day early to take a breather and beat the weather. I can’t say I’ve been in NYC with no hockey to cover or meetings to attend in a long time. Last night, I saw Book of Mormon (my first Broadway show), had slices of pizza from three different spots, and definitely got my steps in. It’s been a slog this season, and I needed the energy boost from this place.

I feel like trying something new for dinner tonight, so if you’ve got a go-to spot, let me know. I might try to find a steak under $50. It’s tough being thrifty in New York.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with the updates from practice, where the big news was the absence and update on Sidney Crosby.

PHN+: Same as it ever was. As the days go by, Danton Heinen is back with the Penguins, and Shelly Anderson had a chat with the versatile winger getting another go-round and how he views the new Penguins.

After practice, the news dropped. It might be nothing, and it might be something. The Penguins cleared a roster spot by demoting Jesse Puljujarvi back to the AHL. So, here’s the news and the best Penguins call-up options.

Oh by the way (*ahem), Ville Koivunen became just the fourth WBS Penguins player to win AHL Rookie of the Month. Here’s the story for the Penguins prospect.

And just in case you’re interested, Petey got paid. The Vancouver Canucks splashed the cash on Marcus Pettersson.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Montreal Hockey Now: The hot name on the market is the Buffalo Sabres’ Dylan Cozens. However, the young center is on a seven-year deal, and Buffalo isn’t keen on trading him. So, it will take a smart deal, and a few teams are still kicking the tires, including the Montreal Canadiens.

Would Kyle Dubas put the Rangers’ first-round pick on the table? I don’t think he should, not in this case, anyway.

TSN Overdrive (audio): The 20-minute radio segment was packed with NHL rumors, including more on Toronto’s potential to keep Mitch Marner. Toronto can’t be happy with Marner, who won’t accept a trade and won’t sign.

Sportsnet: The 32 Thoughts column had the usual nuggets on the trade market, the O’Connor tidbit, and an attempt to set the stage for the new world with teams getting more cap space.

Boston Hockey Now: Thanks a lot, Bruins. The New York Rangers, whose first-round pick the Penguins possess, escaped Madison Square Garden with a win Wednesday, a gift from the Boston Bruins.

The worst-case scenario for the Penguins is that the Rangers get good this season, and the pick falls to the back of the 2025 first round. If they’re going to pick late, 2026 is the year to have it.

Daily Faceoff: The latest trade board has Brandon Tanev at No. 2.

NYI Hockey Now: That’s the problem with a playoff chase from way behind–other teams win, too. The Penguins didn’t get any help from the suddenly vulnerable Vegas Golden Knights. Patrick Roy went on a pretty epic analogy comparing his team to Rocky. Get the full story and analysis from the latest New York Islanders win.