Dan’s Daily: Goalies on the Trade Block, Team USA Cruising at WJC

The hockey world is saving up its news for one big whirlwind day. Hopefully, that day comes very soon, and the news and team assembly flow can resume. For now, the NHL trade market is clogged, as is NHL free agency waiting for the Nazem Kadri news. The Vegas Golden Knights lost Robin Lehner for the season. We had fun with Penguins history as it tied into bad news for Vegas. Team USA plastered Switzerland to assert themselves at the World Juniors redux. And the dictator Vladimir Putin’s war has ensnared (another) political prisoner from the Philadelphia Flyers.

Phew. This week, some people got red in the face over the Marc-Andre Fleury content. Madder still after I termed the Penguins “traded” Fleury. Technically, that was a second-round pick headed to Vegas with Fleury. You can use the term you want.

Pittsburgh Penguins / Sports Now PGH

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A former Penguins enforcer got a bump up the management ladder, and the medical staff lost a long-time member. Pittsburgh Penguins notebook.

There’s no such thing as the curse of Fleury (but we can still have some fun). Never mind that every team Fleury left immediately had playoff difficulty, injured goalies, and was a lesser team. The Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, and Chicago Blackhawks. It seems the hockey gods like Fleury as much as fans do. The Golden Knights were bitten on Thursday, and it could affect the Islanders and Penguins. The curse of Marc-Andre Fleury.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates bullpen imploded Thursday night, so we’ll skip over that loss. We’ll go straight to the kids on the farm. Kevin Padlo lit up Indianapolis with a 3-for-6 performance and a homer. Here’s the daily tracking of the Pirates Prospects.

Steelers Now (+): Camp takeaways. The Steelers are now searching for an RB2 after Benny Snell went down on Wednesday. The backups got a crack at playing time, and Alan Saunders was there for that and more George Pickens. Pittsburgh Steelers news.

NHL News, Rumor, and National Hockey Now:

Vegas Hockey Now: Robin Lehner is out for the season after hip surgery. Owen Krepps poured over the available goalies, and there are few on the NHL trade block. Here are the Vegas Golden Knights‘ options.

Philly Hockey Now: More ridiculousness from Russia. Invade a country knowing the feckless West will condemn you on Twitter but nothing more–go for it. Toss an American athlete in jail for nine years for marijuana residue. Why not? Reports from Russia also indicate that Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov was arrested for trying to leave Russia since he has not completed military service. Philadelphia Flyers news.

Sportsnet: Team USA has cruised a 2-0 record. Carter Mazur filled the net, and the USA walloped Switzerland 7-1 on Thursday.

Montreal Hockey Now: It’s still an unknown, but could the Canadiens be expecting good news regarding Carey Price, and that’s why Jake Allen’s name is popping up on the NHL trade talk?

Boston: The Bruins signed Pavel Zacha, thus avoiding arbitration. That opens a buyout window. Will the Boston Bruins use it?

Washington: Take one name off the NHL trade block? Our budding rock star Sammi Silber writes that despite a surplus in the middle, it is a good idea to hold on to Lars Eller. Washington Capitals analysis.

Calgary: It’s hotly debated up north. Jonathan Huberdeau got $84 million over eight years. Did the Calgary Flames overpay?