Dan’s Daily: Penguins Roughhousing; Trade Rumors; Matthews Mysterious Injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins played rough at practice Wednesday, and Sidney Crosby was in the center of it. However, the bad news is that Pittsburgh Hockey Now can confirm that these appear to be the last couple of months of Marcus Pettersson in a Penguins sweater. Elsewhere in the Daily, Auston Matthews is still nursing an unnamed injury that is both keeping him out of the lineup but also threatening the American star’s participation in the Four Nations Face-Off. The NHL trade rumors also surround the New York Islanders, the possibility of five Canadian teams making the playoffs, and Rick Tocchet’s Canucks are sinking further.

We’re off to a late start today because, as a belated holiday treat, I slept—a glorious near-eight-hour sleep. I realize I ran myself well past the red line last week. My work suffered, and as a colleague was talking to me, I realized I wasn’t even paying attention. In fairness, I didn’t really care what he was saying (I kid, I kid, kind of).

On a hockey note, a little something is happening with the Penguins. I’ve referenced it before, so I’m not breaking new ground here. I think the team’s abysmal start and nearly (figuratively) falling off the cliff together reinforced the connection between coach and players. That fact struck me at practice–it was not your usual post-holiday skate. The boys and coaches were having fun, but it was all hockey. The guys get a day off in Florida today.

We assume someone brought sun tan lotion, SPF 1000, for Evgeni Malkin.

If not for unrealistic expectations colliding against some sort of petulant demand to immediately leap into the future apocalyptic rebuild, a few more of you may enjoy this team for what it is.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: I get a strong sense that the situation will go about the same way the Jake Guentzel situation did, except this time, there isn’t a possible exit ramp if the team is doing well. The player is trying to block out the noise and get on with business, but it appears a Penguins trade will eventually be forthcoming. Sources confirm there have been no contract talks between the team and Marcus Pettersson.

OK, let’s get to the boisterous practice. Coach Mike Sullivan wanted players to defend more physically, so he had the defensemen flip their sticks. Ryan Graves and Sidney Crosby had a laugh as Graves got into Crosby behind the net. We took readers inside the locker room for the behind-the-scenes reactions, reasons, and sarcasm after Penguins practice.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

NYI Hockey Now: The Rangers aren’t the only team in New York to have the trade rumors bubbling. The New York Islanders can’t seem to get above .500, and the roster is probably just not good enough. They’ve got some talented veterans who could fetch something legitimate on the trade block. In addition to Brock Nelson, here are the other Islanders trade candidates.

TSN: Auston Matthews remains out with an injury. It seems to be nagging, and he implied that it’s a tricky injury. TSN had more on the situation, but also—should the top American player skip the Four Nations Face-Off?

The players might be geeked over that tournament, but I am 100% not. The NHL should hold that kind of thing in September or early October in place of part of the preseason, not stop the NHL season and compress the schedule. But I digress.

Sportsnet: Being mentally tough just isn’t enough. The Vancouver Canucks are having a rough go, they’ve fallen out of the playoffs, and things don’t seem to be getting better.

NHL.com: The World Juniors Quarterfinals are today. Here’s what’s on tap.

I’m sure some beachfront bar will have the games on, right?

New Jersey Hockey Now: Oh, the Devils were angry. They were shut out by the LA Kings and had an important goal overturned due to goaltender interference. Stefan Noesen was boiling mad as he questioned the rule. Fans can probably relate. James Nichols has the story inside the New Jersey Devils room.