Dan’s Daily: Penguins Scouting Sabres, Anaheim has Tantalizing Pieces

Last week, Pittsburgh Hockey Now spotted Buffalo Sabres AGM Jason Karmanos at a pair of Pittsburgh Penguins games. Wednesday night, the Penguins did some scouting, too. We asked Penguins defenseman Kris Letang about the growing noise over his future, and he smiled as he dropped the quote of the day. What the Washington Capitals are looking for, and the Anaheim Ducks might be the most interesting team at the NHL trade deadline.

In a different world, I would have laughed with Letang, shaken his hand afterward, and told him that was the perfect way to answer the question.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Letang answer, complete with video. If he hits the NHL free-agent market, there’s plenty of speculation and some indirect reports that the Montreal Canadiens will take a run at Kris Letang.

Montreal: The Kris Letang story from the Montreal Canadiens side.

The Penguins have just 15 even-strength goals in the last 10 games. I also asked Letang and Mike Sullivan an important question–is the power play becoming a dependent crutch for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Here’s some NHL trade chatter waiting to happen–we examined which Buffalo Sabres could be available when Jason Karmanos scouted the Penguins. On Wednesday night, the Penguins had a pair of scouts to watch Buffalo:

10 teams with reps on the list for tonight's Sabres/Leafs game: DAL, CBJ, PIT (2), OTT, EDM, LA, SEA, FLA, STL, CAR

— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) March 3, 2022

NHL Trade Deadline, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet: Manson, Rackell, Getzlaf. Are the Anaheim Ducks the most interesting man team at the NHL trade deadline?

Washington: Here’s what the Washington Capitals are looking for at the NHL trade deadline.

TSN: Eugene Melnyk is going all out for Ukraine. The 50/50 raffle will be used to donate to humanitarian efforts, the arena will be used as a drop-off point for donations, and the Ukrainian national anthem will be played before Ottawa Senators home games.

The Athletic: Our old pal (and former Washington Observer-Reporter beat writer), Mark Lazerus, and Scott Powers tackled the Blackhawks NHL trade deadline, including Marc-Andre Fleury and the need/desire to stack first-round picks.

Philly: Kevin Hayes is ready to return, but the question is–after so many surgeries, is it too risky to bring Hayes back to the Philadelphia Flyers lineup?

Florida: The Pittsburgh Penguins have the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. They’ll get another look at Sasha Barkov–a goal-scoring machine.

Calgary Building through internal competition. Darryl Sutter and Mike Sullivan may have different systems, but they often sound similar. The Calgary Flames are hot.

San Jose: They were in the playoff chase. And then…they weren’t. Where did the season fork for the San Jose Sharks?