Dan’s Daily: Fleury’s Heart Still with Penguins? BJC Stickin’ Around

Marc-Andre Fleury is still in his heart a part of the Pittsburgh Penguins. So said Elliotte Friedman when he reported or squashed NHL trade rumors that connected Fleury to the Washington Capitals. Big Jeff Carter is sticking around for a while with the Penguins. The Boston Bruins are in on Jakob Chychrun and eyeing Colin Miller.

And the Philadelphia Flyers held a free-fall press conference with the GM and President. That’s never good when the brass has to speak in January. It’s uglier than an Eagles blowout loss to the Cowboys right now.

First, up the Penguins…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Big Jeff Carter is sticking around, and he took a pay cut to do it. Get the deets on Carter’s deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

At 9 a.m., I’ll dive into what the Carter contract means. It doesn’t necessarily mean what you think. As always, bookmark PHN and come back often.

Head coach Mike Sullivan admitted his backup goalie is healthy, physically, but is battling himself. The problem is a lack of confidence for Casey DeSmith.

PHN+: The Penguins coach and others began the countdown to another milestone–500 goals for Sidney Crosby.

NHL Trade Talk

We’ll start with the trade talk.

Washington: After reporting the Capitals were kicking the tires, Elliotte Friedman also reports/suggests Marc-Andre Fleury–in his heart–is still part of the Pittsburgh Penguins and would decline a move to the Washington Capitals.

Boston: Jakob Chychrun and Colin Miller. It’s been a running theme for 18 months: NHL trade chatter has included Boston, but GM Don Sweeney hasn’t yet landed the big defenseman for the Boston Bruins.

Philly: The Philadelphia Flyers are trying to set the table for a Claude Giroux trade.

Sportsnet: Players aren’t so keen to live in Canada right now. The burdensome COVID restrictions are bordering on absurd considering the high rate of vaccinations. Folks aren’t happy. And it is likely to put Canadian teams at a disadvantage at the NHL trade deadline.

“We’re all going to die” is as silly as “it’s a hoax!” I’ll give a FREE PHN+ subscription to anyone who begins the vaccination process this week. It won’t stop Omicron, but it will insulate you from severe effects. Post part of your card in the comments or DM me. Deaths are spiking again, and about 80% of the deaths in Washington are unvaccinated. That number is well over 90% in Arizona. I just want you to live and our hospitals not become triage centers, eh?

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Philly: Chuck Fletcher faced the firing squad, er, spoke to the media on Wednesday. There was a lot to unpack, but the surprising twist is that despite 13 straight losses, Fletcher appears relatively safe with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Colorado: Nathan MacKinnon was bloodied. It was a clean, almost unintentional hit by Taylor Hall, but MacKinnon was in bad shape. The Colorado Avalanche responded.

Calgary: 62 shots. 62?! The poor Columbus Blue Jackets didn’t know whether to cry or wind their watch. It was a franchise record for the Calgary Flames.

NYI: Necessity is the mother of patience for Zach Parise of the New York Islanders.

And… this weekend, PHN readers can get another big Bet $5, Win $280 DraftKings promo.