Dan’s Daily: Coyotes Dangle Big-Time Trade Bait, Penguins Unstoppable

Backup goalie and 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs hero Anton Khudobin went unclaimed on Tuesday, meaning he’ll report to the Dallas Stars AHL team in Iowa City. It’s not unsurprising. It just means Dallas will eventually move him via the NHL trade market. The Pittsburgh Penguins cannot be stopped, certainly not by a shaky Montreal Canadiens team, as Evan Rodrigues has become a superhero.

And the soon-to-be couch-surfing Arizona Coyotes quietly dangled their biggest asset on the NHL trade block.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Watch the postgame wrap from PPG after the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.

We will do a live chat at 1 p.m., or thereabouts, so subscribe to the youtube page to get notified.

PHN+: The Penguins have created a monster. It’s alive! Former journeyman, healthy scratch, 13th forward, Swiss Army knife Evan Rodrigues is busting out. 

“E-Rod” should have been given the assist on Dumoulin’s goal–four points.

Montreal: The other side of the Penguins win is the Montreal Canadiens loss.

NHL Trade Chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: In 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman dropped the little bombshell that the Arizona Coyotes are quietly dangling young defenseman Jacob Chychrun on the NHL trade block. 

Elliotte also had more news on the Olympics. Look–they shouldn’t happen, at least for the NHL players. Sometimes, you have to swallow a bitter pill because your obligations lie elsewhere. The NHL players are looking at each other, and I bet wondering who will be the first to say, “I’m out.” –Sure, trust China. What’s the worst that could happen?

TSN: Here’s what the NHL insiders are saying about an NHL season pause (unlikely) and the NHL participation in the Olympics. 

Washington: “Skating by yourself sucks.” Nick Backstrom will soon return for the Washington Capitals.

Detroit: Robby Fabbri was once a hot prospect who had a playoff hero moment with the St. Louis Blues but then tore up his knee not once but twice. He’s got a new contract and is rebuilding his career with the Detroit Red Wings. 

Colorado: The Avalanche are getting on track, they beat the New York Rangers, but darkness my old friend, has come to talk with you again. COVID is popping up in the Avalanche, again. 

Vegas: Pete DeBoer had high praise for Max Pacioretty, who was superman in the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins. 

Vancouver: The Vancouver Canucks have won five-in-a-row. Bruce There It Is! The Canucks are red hot. 

Calgary: Bad, bad news. COVID is rising around the NHL, and it has taken nearly half of the Calgary Flames roster. 

It’s no coincidence that COVID is roaring again about 6-8 months after the initial vaccine wave. Scientific studies conclusively show our immune systems wane to between 45-56% immunity six months after the vaccine (and those same studies show vaccinated individuals still have a 5.5x greater immunity than unvax’d). So–get your booster before Christmas! Please and thanks. Trust me. Although, after COVID, the vertigo is fun, and the brain fog and fatigue are worth the price of admission. You get to take unexpected and sudden naps all the time. I can’t imagine how much fun it would have been with no immunity.