Dan’s Daily: Conflicting News on Eichel Trade, Penguins Lindberg Hot in WBS

You can set your watch by the rise and fall of Jack Eichel chatter on the NHL trade market. Team is interested. Team takes a shot, talks get heavy, Buffalo wants the entire farm, talks cool. But this time, we have conflicting reports. The Pittsburgh Penguins must look to their secondary star players, which means Kasperi Kapanen must emerge, and Penguins prospect goalie Filip Lindberg is tearing it up with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Lindberg was OK in Pittsburgh Penguins camp, but his numbers are gaudy in Wilkes. Ron Hextall certainly is not impetuous, but his moves and signings have been pretty good so far.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: One player who wasn’t a Hextall addition, Kasperi Kapanen, was demoted to the fourth line on Monday. The Penguins had an off day on Tuesday. It was head coach Mike Sullivan sending more tough love to Kapanen, who remains inconsistent. How long will the Penguins wait for Kapanen? 

Former WBS Penguins assistant coach Jarrod Skalde and his wife Erin will file a second lawsuit, according to lawyers for Erin, based on the alleged assault by former WBS coach Clark Donatelli. The sexual assault suit will name Bill Guerin and the entire Penguins organization. 

This is not a fun story to report. Skalde’s lawyers have made a lot public, and that’s a legal strategy. I think it’s fair to write, the Penguins’ actions were decisive–they conducted an investigation within 72 hours of being notified of the incident and removed Donatelli. Those details line up with Skalde’s timeline, too. And from here, it’s probably best to let the legal process unfold before any further comments.

The GOOD news out of Wilkes-Barre Scranton, Filip Lindberg is a brick wall. The college free agent goalie who won a national championship with UMass is the AHL goalie of the month. 

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now:

Jeff Marek Show: Elliotte Friedman was the bearer of bad news. Optimism for a Vegas-Eichel deal is cooling. 

Buffalo’s ask is impossible. Other GMs told us it was “insane,” but a better word might be impossible. No team can afford it. At some point, it also looks like spite too.

Calgary: HOWEVER! HOLD THE PHONE! Emily Kaplan weighed in during intermission Tuesday night to say the trade was on the one-yard line. Here’s the report on the Eichel NHL trade drama. 

Washington Hockey Now: I know there are still a few Conor Sheary fans in the Pittsburgh Penguins fanbase (looking at you Melissa Hart. Your level-headedness is sorely missed in public life). The Capitals are enjoying Conor Sheary, too–“He’s been one of our best players.”

Montreal Hockey Now: Carey Price could return to the NHL this week, but as Jon Still writes–so what. Price can’t save the Canadiens, and he should take the time he needs. 

Vegas: The Toronto Maple Leafs hammered the depleted and beleaguered Vegas Golden Knights lineup 4-0. Owen Krepps has the coverage and the takeaways from an ugly loss. 

Toronto: Oh what a pretty goal–Mitch Marner and his silky mitts potted a sick goal against Vegas in the win. Here’s the highlight. 

Detroit: Moritz Seider is one of the Detroit Red Wings super rookies. He keeps piling up the accolades and awards, including NHL rookie of the month.

Colorado: Uh oh, Cale Makar has been placed on IR, and that’s bad news for the Colorado Avalanche. Not such great news for Makar, either. 

Vancouver: Good news for the Penguins–the Vancouver Canucks took the extra point from the New York Rangers, 3-2. Get the full scoop from Vancouver.