Dan’s Daily: Penguins Run Hot; Teams Face Reality Before Trade Deadline

The Pittsburgh Penguins were late to the party, but once they finally got there, their 5-4 overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers was quite entertaining. Credit goalie Alex Nedeljkovic for reading everyone, including coaches, the riot act after getting pulled in the second period. The recent NHL trade chatter has a few teams facing reality before the NHL trade deadline, including the plummeting New York Islanders, the Hurricanes, who can’t get Mikko Rantanen’s name on a mega-contract, the Toronto Maple Leafs trying to hold onto several young assets that everyone is asking for, and sources refuted reports the LA Kings could make Quinton Byfield available.

We’re a week away from the trade deadline, and there is a schism occurring in the media landscape that you should understand. There are more and more websites reporting things, and hockey seems to have a ton more people going independent than any other sport (they come and go as they realize how hard it is to make money). However, teams are talking to fewer and fewer reporters. Do the math. My best advice is to remain skeptical of all and polite to most, but keep score.

I can tell you there are more “sources” out there than ever, and the only way to safeguard against people who have agendas is to not report until they prove solid with a couple of correct bits of information. You should make mental notes–When the same outlet has bombshell after bombshell report, and none of it comes to pass, cross them off your list. Don’t go back–clicks are what they need. NHN underwent painful staffing changes over the last few years because we keep score, too. All “scoops” must pass through a senior staff member (even my stories) to be dissected and questioned by a fresh/experienced set of eyes before being printed. It can be spiked if it’s not rock solid. That was the best change we ever made.

Remember, you control the market. Now more than ever.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with the spark that lit the fire. The Penguins fell behind 3-0, and coach Mike Sullivan pulled Alex Nedeljkovic, who promptly destroyed his stick, slammed the door, and yelled at coaches. Watch the full Nedeljkovic episode here.

The game went from utterly pathetic to quite entertaining. After Ned’s nuke, the team scored a couple of quick goals and rallied to win in overtime. Evgeni Malkin and Erik Karlsson each had two goals. Here’s Dave Molinari’s Penguins recap.

There is no report card but a postgame column. Finally, it was also more than Malkin and Karlsson. It was Philip Tomasino, Ryan Shea getting a big opportunity, and Boko Imama delivering a message to the Flyers. The win featured something different. It was also some blood and guts from very different Penguins players.

Philly Hockey Now: Get the flip side from our colleague Will James. Three thoughts following the Penguins rally and Flyers loss.

Oh, by the way, the scrappy effort was without Michael Bunting, who is out indefinitely after having surgery to remove his appendix. Fortunately, his table of contents is fine (kids, that’s a book joke). From Bunting news to Imama talking about what it means to be physical and where it came from, it’s the Penguins skate report.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Sportsnet: The latest 32 Thoughts is a doozy. Rantanen watch. Teams want the Toronto Maple Leafs’ young assets (and they have some good ones). And what will the Winnipeg Jets do? It’s a pretty, pretty good column from Elliotte Friedman.

Spector’s Hockey: Usually, we rely on Lyle to find a few things we missed. Today, he has a little scoop with the help of a local reporter whom we trust. Don’t buy the Kings-Byfield trade rumors.

Canadian Press; Janet Gretzky says Wayne has been heartbroken by the angry and vitriolic criticism hurled his way because of his friendship with Donald Trump, following Trump’s repeated 51st state rhetoric. For his part, Trump put out a long statement making Wayne a “free agent” to avoid the criticism.

Trying to avoid the politics here, Trump has to knock off the 51st state stuff. Dude, focus on the political victories and real battles.

NYI Hockey Now: The Islanders are chasing the Penguins to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Despite that, they are still trying to re-sign Brock Nelson instead of trade him?? Get the scoop on the New York Islanders’ plans.

TSN video: What’s the market for Joel Armia and Jake Evans? The trade centre is in high gear.

Detroit Hockey Now: Well, this is one way to go. With the playoff spot hanging perilously in the balance for the Detroit Red Wings, coach Todd McClellan called out his captain, Dylan Larkin.