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Dan’s Daily: Capitals and Penguins Lose Out, Trade Deadline Begins

The Washington Capitals were outbid for their man, and the Pittsburgh Penguins suffered a similar fate as the NHL trade deadline activity officially began with a bang. If “first night” is any indication, the market will be nuttier than the housing market. The Ben Chiarot sweepstakes are over. The Florida Panthers are loading for bear or Lightning. So, too, are the Calgary Flames. Tomas Hertl got a new splashy contract, the New York Rangers made a minor deal, and Sportsnet looked at what the last five Stanley Cup champions did at the deadline.
I thought about buying a house. Finally, set down roots? Friends told me of a perfect brick rowhouse coming on the market. I even tried to call the owner before it was on the market–she thought I was one of those “we buy houses” companies, screamed at me, and hung up. The house hit the market Monday and sold for 20% over-market in the first hour.
Given the prices we saw Wednesday…we’re there.
Florida: There were plenty of seriously interested teams for rugged defenseman Ben Chiarot, but GM Bill Zito paid a king’s ransom and then tipped 15%. A first, a fourth, and a good prospect, but–the Florida Panthers got their bruiser.
Calgary: The Washington Capitals were chasing Seattle forward Calle Jarnkrok. Heck, the Penguins were tied to him, too. Then, we saw the price, and wow, the Calgary Flames paid up.
If these are the prices, yikes. I’ll give some further details and address some of your inferences (and trolls) at the bottom.
The Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: We handicapped the Penguins’ potentials at the NHL trade deadline. Chiarot and Jarnkrok are off the board, but there’s some meat left on the bone. Pittsburgh Penguins trade deadline analysis.
Should head coach Mike Sullivan keep Mike Matheson with Kris Letang? The numbers are astounding, but there’s a twist to the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup.
NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman is deep into the NHL trade market and the fallout from Wednesday night. From Flyers rumors to Colorado, and more cold water on Penguins-Vancouver trade talks.
Washington: Guess who else is rumored to D.C.? Max Domi could be the next target. Washington Capitals trade rumors.
I think Domi would really help them. Really, really help them.
Florida: The New York Rangers (the Penguins likely Round One opponent) acquired Frank Vatrano from Florida. Coach Andrew Brunette called Vatrano “one of my all-time favorite guys.” Read more about what the Rangers got from the Panthers.
TSN: Jacob Middleton, Andrew Copp, and those looming decisions could upset the NHL trade market.
Montreal: So much going on in Montreal, our writers’ heads are spinning. Jack McBain? Mathieu Perrault waived (two years ago, I would have advocated that the Penguins pounce), and the Arizona Coyotes are interested in acquiring Shea Weber’s contract. Montreal Canadiens news.
The NHL should bar the Coyotes from trading for dead money. They get to the cap floor without spending the money. If that’s not a violation of the spirit of the salary cap, then nothing is in violation.
Philly: Claude Giroux will play in his 1000th game on Thursday night. It’s an incredibly emotional time as it’s a celebration and a goodbye. Everyone knows it. Philadelphia Flyers news.
Another Metro Division subplot…
NYI: The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to need goaltending. Guess who has plenty of it? What is Semyon Varlamov worth? New York Islanders trade chatter.
Now then…
I must confess to some of the reactions towards me (personally) and Pittsburgh Hockey Now after the Chiarot trade made me want to knock on doors like Jay and Silent Bob. Just because a team is seriously interested doesn’t mean they are the ONLY team. That doesn’t mean your team will pay any price, and that doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. I feel like most of you know that and are adults.
I thought about calling people out, but Nah.
Placing Chiarot at 25% with the cautionary note–plenty of teams are interested, but it’s a steep price–was enough warning. The Hockey Now network is more plugged in than anything I’ve ever been a part of–the network had three sources, including folks on both sides and a connected third. Trade talk is like a tornado…it pulls everything in, is powerful, and changes direction without warning.
Everyone is a gm/head coach with their opinion. And thats it an opinion. I seen the comments yesterday. Maybe they should all be world leaders to, not. Keep up the good reporting.
Dan do you think the pens are still interested in Lekkenon and Hagg are they the most likely targets if they can reach a deal? Thanks
After the prices and whirlwind of Wednesday night…I’m not confident in anything!
i hope they can put something together the eastern conference teams are loaded and if they cant find a couple guys that fit I don’t like there chances to get to far…
Now is not the time to buy real estate, though it is the time to sell. We don’t have the cap space nor the system depth to get into bidding wars with other teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if Hextall makes no moves if prices continue at this pace.
Not sure why people are attacking you personally, Dan. You are not the GM. People suck.
It’s just angst manifested because they’re going to get crushed again R1 as it has been for 4 years because they refuse to accept the age/limitations of their players and Rutherford’s last 5 bad moves are still on the roster and about $25 mil in cap. Can’t win that way.
Hextall was bad move. Stunned by Burke
The Pens are not going anywhere they waited too long to be a serious playoff team even a small trade wouldn’t fix their problems.
Amen
This time of year is so fluid it would be nearly impossible to keep pace with what is going on around the league even if you had a GM’s phone lines tapped! Nearly every GM is somewhat active buying or selling. The difficulty is that as the deadline approaches the prices and bidding wars ramp up at warp speeds and prices go whacky insane. GMs are left holding the phone saying… “that’s crazy.” Perhaps JR had it right doing “trade deadline” deals 3 weeks before the deadline? IDK he got hosed several times. But at this stage, I think the… Read more »
Rutherford biggest hosing was zucker…who they absolutely should leave off the books until may. But they won’t…which means they can do nothing realistically.
Brassard trade was much worse.
Both bad. Unproductive players at high price.
Of the 3 deals yesterday, the Vatrano deal was terrific for the Rangers. A 4th round pick in exchange for him . ..that were he here would be a material upgrade over Simon/Rodriguez or Ashton Reese. Good for Montreal that is a nice return for a guy who will not be part of the future. As for Florida, to make the deal work they have to get to the Finals . . . and . . re-sign him. Calgary added a good guy in Jarnkrok, but maybe tossed in a pick more than needed, but I am sure no one… Read more »
Florida has a great GM. They
I wasn’t optimistic for several reasons; 1) Past mistakes impact current Cap and avail prospects. Previous traded away 1st Round picks are a legacy cost still remaining. Not all on Rutherford , will questions be asked ? Perhaps after another very early exit the media will finally ask hard questions. 2) The summer of 2021 yielded very little in the additions needed that have been so glaring as voids in the roster. Was Hextall even in the conversation for Gudbranson or Deslaurius? Or was he told not interested by HCMS and no attempt was made? What they ultimately received is… Read more »
Yes Yes Yes. Regroup in the off-season and please don’t tie your hands by re-signing 58 and 71. Maybe one but certainly not both.
To quote the late great Mel Brooks from ‘Blazing Saddles’
“Loze im gaym!” or ( “Let them go!”)
I thought a month ago Malkin was a sure re-up. Now I think there’s a 90% chance he wants to leave. He’s got no help…and due to current and future cap stupidity will have none. So what’s in it for him?
Well given the global Geo Political situation it may not be the best time to go back to Russia and play in the KHL. So he will prob accept much less to stay , but I’d still let him go. Save the 7 or 8 mil per/ yr it can be used much better IMO.
Well maybe if he would play consistently and not take unnecessary penalties .Where is his will and stop dangling with the puck.Why is it no wingers seem to fit with him.There is thing called common denominator.
No wingers fit with him? He’s taken the scraps and never says a word for 15 years. You have your head up it…to get honest. Last night Danton Heinen couldn’t get a stick on at least 2 tap ins. When kapanen does get a shot off…it’s emblem burning or 4 feet wide. Malkin is hard to play with…no doubt…but he’s not the only one. Did you watch the 2011-12 season? Most dominant season by a pen of this era…and perhaps the wingers had a lot to do with it. That shouldn’t be insulting to anyone but the Pittsburgh press that… Read more »
Katz
“I wasn’t optimistic”
I’m shocked haha
Hopium is meant for the lottery machine.
I can’t agree more.
Dan, come on. The Pens should trade all their bad players for all the other team’s good players. DUH!!!
…wait, Salary Cap? what’s that?!?
…prospects? What are those?!?
Just trade bad players for good ones!!
Down votes for sarcasm. Ain’t the interwebz grand.
Oh, Danny boy (sorry, had to on this day). One thing that I try to remind myself is the fact that I need to be thankful. Thankful that I have been able to spend time with my boys watching our favorite sport be played by some of the greatest of all time. Maybe trade-deadline luck will come our way, but if not, es lo que es. Would love to go and knock on some doors with you and ask, “Are you ‘PensNeedAWampaOnDefense’?” and then, well, you know what comes next!
The Pens don’t have the assets to acquire a top six forward without downgrading their roster in another area. Maybe make a smaller deal involving someone like Motte or Pitlick and hope Zucker and Kapanen come back around. Would also like to see de Haan or Soucy brought in.
I feel like Zucker plays the right way at all times. That for muscle injury was huge! If he recovers he’ll need fine. Kapanen? Not as confident in.
What do HexBurke do for a living? I’ll hang up and wait for your reply . . .
I thought you were done yesterday? What are you still doing here Felicia?
You are funny…
Boring …they want to win again with the core.But have done nothing much to upgrade the team.If they are serious need to stop being hypocritical talking out of both sides of their mouth.Just do what they say no matter the cost.Winning. Should be about now.Drraft pucks generally don’t bloom for a few years anyway..
Dan – any idea what it would cost the Penguins to get Chara from the Islanders? He is exactly what the Penguins need on the back end and his $750,000 cap hit would easily fit.
I wouldn’t oppose it…if they flip one of the dandies and picks to get a forward.
This team…as constructed…will not score in the playoffs. They have to add some lunch and it isn’t ZAR or Sami kapanens kid.
Let me get this right, the Penguins need ANOTHER LD that is 44 years old and doesn’t play their up-tempo style, despite having Dumo/Pettersson/Matheson/POJ/Riikola and Friedman, who is a righty that can play LD.
But I’m the dumb one. Okay.
What would you like them to do? “Nothing”
Will reward them similar playoff results
I would play Chara over everyone you listed except Matheson. They need size and someone that can clear the paint. Also, Chara can keep Tom Wilson on his best behavior.
Good news is there’s about a 0.001% chance of the pens and caps playing
So the Penguins don’t need to get bigger and stronger for the playoffs??
That’s not what I’m saying…but “Wilson” isn’t much of a concern right now. The caps aren’t very good…I’d welcome that second round series in a second
I’d take Eberle for the next 2 years to play with Malkin (assumes he signs a team friendly deal)
I’d love to get Eberle. I think that we’re all done with the Kapanen trial. But, honestly, they need to clear space to keep Rust around. I think this is a post season move of one of our LHD, but it needs done
Given this market, nobody is going to take $4 million in salary off of the Pens hands unless they give away the farm. If this is what the market will be like, I would rather the team didn’t make any substantial deals at all.
Say goodbye to #71 then…unfortunately
I agree if it is a 4 mil dump. But, with what D men are getting on the market now, odd hanger to think that one of their LHD can be moved to the right GM
Thanks for the continued great reporting!
Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Deadline Aquisition: 😩🥱🥱🥱
Maybe Hex can pull a 3 way team trade to bring Claude Giroux here. That’s my fantasy! Dump Malkin!
Wow a bunch of crybabies and haters. Absolutely the most ungrateful fan base. 16 straight playoff appearances. And everyone is like 1st round exit again! Its Malkin and letang fault. Time to rebuild. All nonsense! First letang is at the top of his game we need him. If you think different than you dont really know anything about hockey. Malkin still a great player. Either way without these guys we dont have 3 stanley cups. And would not be in a playoff spot without them. So show them the appreciation they deserve. And this team is pretty good. Let’s see… Read more »
The other problem with “rebuild” is the other guy is just as old…
So a rebuild would involve a new #1…where is that coming from?