Dan’s Daily: Canada Happy; Islanders Trade Decision; Penguins Predictions

The Canadian hockey world held its breath as Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby worked through an injury this week but the True North breathed a sigh of relief Monday. We put the Penguins on the lab table and examined what comes next for the remainder of the season. Playoffs, prospects, and trades, oh my. Elsewhere in the Daily, Jesse Puljujarvi left a guaranteed NHL contract with the Penguins but, as an unrestricted free agent this week got only an AHL tryout deal. The New York Islanders are now holding the big fish on the NHL trade block but aren’t sure if they’re going to reel him in or throw him back, and Anaheim goalie John Gibson has two preferred destinations but will either bite?

I’m off to Hershey this afternoon to get a good look at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins vs. Hershey Bears. This weekend, it will be quite fitting that I spend Valentine’s Day at a hockey rink also covering the WBS Penguins. I’m going to get a good look at the Penguins’ prospects and their progress since the last time I checked on them a couple of months ago. I’ll be speaking with the surging Ville Koivunen, amongst others.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: They sang from the heavens, and the clouds parted. The Four Nations Face-Off is ultimately quite unimportant, but to Canada, it’s a necessary battle to prove their hockey supremacy because they haven’t had a significant national victory in quite some time. It’s a matter of national identity, and after an injury scare, Sidney Crosby is ready to go.

Someone will have to explain this situation to me another day (I’ll do more digging this week, for sure). Player is unhappy that he’s sent to the AHL, player requests contract termination to seek other opportunities, player signs an AHL PTO?! Here’s the story and the updated odyssey of Jesse Puljujarvi.

This is the stuff crazy Puljujarvi fans have been hitting me with this week because I made the mistake of agreeing with Puljujarvi’s demotion.

Apparently, Don Kinkersky was starting to get a little scared that JP is playing for the Stanley Cup in the spring when the penguins are playing golf at the same time

— sinttiaara (@AnttiSiira) February 11, 2025

Of course, after a while, I may have lost my patience and causticly egged them on.

And the big story that we spent a good bit of time crafting and creating: what to expect at the NHL trade deadline, who is likely or unlikely to be dealt with, and the limitations of the NHL recall rules. “Playoffs and trades” — projecting the remainder of the Penguins season.

NHL Trade Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

NYI Hockey Now: Russel Macias has it right–the trade market seems to be waiting for the Brock Nelson situation to resolve itself on Long Island. Will they re-sign the 34-year-old or offer him up to the highest bidder? Here’s the full story on the New York Islanders situation.

Sportsnet: Brayden Schenn, the Montreal Canadiens, and the NHL rumor roundup has an interesting nugget on John Gibson–he has it narrowed down to two teams, but will either want him?

Yes, the Edmonton Oilers become heavy favorites with him in net. HEAVY favorites.

Sportsnet: The Team Canada nuclear option on the power play. Here is the update and lines with Crosby for Team Canada.

TSN: Here’s the Team USA update and lines for the Four Nations.

Colorado Hockey Now: No, seriously?! Could the Carolina Hurricanes already be disappointed in Mikko Rantanen and flip the forward before the deadline?

It’s out there.

Vegas Hockey Now: I do love some Golden Knights coverage, and I’m ecstatic that Hannah Kirkell is taking it and running with it. For the two-week break, Hannah rolls out three realistic trade targets for the Vegas Golden Knights.