Dan’s Daily: Crosby Looks Good, More on the Chicago Mess

The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting close to having both Jeff Carter and Sidney Crosby return to the lineup. Crosby continues to progress in practice, though head coach Mike Sullivan was a bit more non-committal. Former Penguins coach and broadcaster Eddie Olczyk could soon run the Chicago Blackhawks, Travis Hamonic will report to the Vancouver Canucks, and the Chicago mess could extend to Florida.

For what it’s worth, Mike Sullivan was asked about Stan Bowman and Team USA. Sullivan neatly avoided the controversy while expressing concern for the situation and confidence in USA Hockey to find the right person to replace Bowman.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Sidney Crosby was on PP1 and a full go in practice, but Sullivan seemed to indicate a return was not yet imminent. And–Casey DeSmith went full Dwight Schrute with his new mask. Here’s everything from Penguins practice.

PHN Exclusive: Eddie Olczyk has been aiming to run the Chicago Blackhawks. An NHL source with first-hand info shared the scoop. Edzo could get the task with the Blackhawks cleanup.

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Florida: The Chicago scandal could cost the Florida Panthers their coach as Joel Quenneville was the coach of the 2010 Blackhawks and possibly part of the coverup. The details of Quenneville’s knowledge are disputed, and he’ll meet with Gary Bettman today. Instead of the coach addressing the media after the Panthers latest win, GM Bill Zito did.

I don’t know what happens to Quenneville. Based on the nearly immediate meeting with Bettman, my guess is that he’ll not be the coach of the Florida Panthers by the weekend. However, I also hate when people say “the optics” or “the PR.” I’d like to know the truth instead.

TSN: The John Doe who brought the allegations forward chatted with TSN’s Rick Westhead, the journalist who carried the story for months before it exploded. John Doe is former Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach, who opened up on the situation and the locker room aftermath. It’s not an easy read. 

The Athletic: Mark Lazerus put the Blackhawks on a tee and swung away.

Back to hockey…

Washington: Well, maybe former Pittsburgh Penguins prospect turned Washington Capitals sniper Daniel Sprong isn’t turning a corner. He was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, and Washington gained a point, Ovechkin gained a goal, but Detroit–Detroit?! beat the Capitals in OT.

Detroit: Dylan Larkin scored the OT winner to beat those Washington Capitals. Five takeaways–Detroit is…not bad. 

Colorado: The Colorado Avalanche will soon require COVID vaccination proof to attend games. 

Vegas: The Vegas Golden Knights are still searching for their leaders and still decimated by injuries. Vegas rallied for an OT win over Dallas on Wednesday. 

Vancouver: Travis Hamonic is reporting to the Vancouver Canucks. GM Jim Benning called it a personal matter and not a vaccine issue that kept Hamonic away. He’ll report to the AHL on a conditioning assignment and be ready to go soon.