Dan’s Daily: The Trade Board Update, Penguins Changes

TEMPE, Ariz. — The big board is about set. The big names are making decisions, and the NHL trade deadline is about seven weeks away. PHN looked at the Penguins’ trade chips and values, too. There were a couple of tweaks and cuts at the Penguins’ practice in Scottsdale. Is Jakub Chychrun the right fit for the Edmonton Oilers? The Buffalo Sabres won again. So did the Seattle Kraken.

I expect this Coyotes experience on Sunday to be exciting because it’s different — for a moment. But it doesn’t meet NHL standards. It doesn’t meet professional standards. The practice rink on the outskirts of Scottsdale was a municipal rink with nothing in the way of amenities. There’s no way a free agent will choose to come here.

In my travels, I spoke with a half dozen people, from Lyft drivers to people I bumped into out in the wild. No one knew the Coyotes played hockey; only one knew the Pittsburgh Penguins. But my last Lyft driver was a HUGE Steelers fan who loved talking Stillers. He knew the Penguins.

This metro (Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale) is beautiful. People are cool.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Steelers, Pirates

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins practice — the power play, the haircuts, and the Penguins lines.

What is Jeff Carter or Brian Dumoulin worth on the market? What chips do the Penguins have? Updated Penguins trade realities.

Steelers Now:

• If the Steelers win and things fall their way, Wild-Card Weekend won’t be kind. Here’s what’s on deck for a Steelers playoff appearance.
• The Browns are missing a tackle, which means a potentially great matchup for T.J. Watt.
• The odds are skyrocketing that Kenny Pickett will be Rookie of the Year. Steelers news.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: GM Ben Cherrington has a few good trade grades, but he’s missed on too many, hurting the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Deadline, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet / HNIC Video: The big names on the NHL trade board — Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek gave a status update.

NYI Hockey Now: The Penguins aren’t the only team struggling — Stefen Rosner called it the “broken record trip” as the New York Islanders struggled, too.

Philly Hockey Now: Morgan Frost is improving, and prospect Bobby Brink netted his first pro goal. Flyers prospects are shining.

Washington Hockey Now: Sunday is a big day for the Capitals. Tom Wilson and Nick Backstrom will return to the lineup after missing the entire season to date. Rehab only brought the Washington Capitals closer.

Is Jakub Chychrun the best NHL trade deadline target for the Oilers?

Leafs Nation: Mitch Marner is already at 500 points.

Buffalo News: I’m telling you — here come the Sabres. Rasmus Dahlin had five points, and Buffalo won (again) by beating Minnesota in OT.

NHL.com: Seattle is quietly a much better team and in the playoff race. They hung an eight-spot on Ottawa Saturday.

Vegas Hockey Now: The head coach wasn’t thrilled. One game after thumping the Penguins, Vegas flat-lined against the Kings. Bruce Cassidy called it the worst loss of the year. Vegas Golden Knights crushed.

Montreal Hockey Now: Fans are getting frustrated in Montreal. Seven straight losses will do that, and the veterans are playing over the kids, but that could be changing for the Montreal Canadiens.

Detroit Hockey Now: Jakub Vrana isn’t dealing with the demotion to the AHL very well. When will the former Detroit Red Wings winger get going?