Dan’s Daily: Penguins Struggling, NHL Trade Rumor Roundup

It was not a banner weekend for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who lost their third straight game. Like last season, GMs are adding more names to the NHL trade market without corresponding action. It looks like we’re on our way to another logjam. Carey Price’s future in Montreal is cloudy, and so is his future on the ice after a doubt-filled press conference possibly made matters worse. And Evander Kane promptly made a big impression in Edmonton.

We have plenty of Pens stuff to recap. From peak to valley pretty quickly…

Pittsburgh Hockey Now video: The PHN 5-Minute Postgame wrap–New problems emerge for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins are in flux. Since Evgeni Malkin returned, inconsistency, turnovers, passengers, and a lack of identity have dogged the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Read it before you kneejerk react to it.

It got lost in the shuffle of pregame talk and an NFL championship weekend–With on-the-record information, we clarified the Kris Letang contract situation.

And the Penguins are one of the favorites for 6-foot-5 overage goalie prospect Mack Guzda.

NHL Trade chatter, News & National Hockey Now:

Sportsnet video: 32 Thoughts on Saturday night was full of new names on the NHL trade block. From goalie Petr Mrazek being available to Conor Garland in Vancouver.

Calgary Hockey Now: One of those teams in need of, and interested in, Garland? The Calgary Flames.

Montreal Hockey Now: Carey Price wants to play again this season, but it won’t be that simple. He is still clearing hurdles in his recovery from addiction, and his knees are not in great shape. Carey Price held a press conference on Sunday, but there are still more questions and worries for Price and the Montreal Canadiens.

I’ve never seen a reporter do such a great job as Jimmy Murphy covering two teams–he volunteered for the assignment while we recast MHN, and he’s killing it on both ends. Our Canadiens coverage is as good as any outlet.

ESPN: Evander Kane scored in his Oilers debut. He’s off to a good beginning up north.

San Jose: One of the people who gave Evander Kane a phone call after signing in Edmonton was former teammate Joe Thornton–the former San Jose Sharks captain.

Colorado Hockey Now: Nazem Kadri is having a career year in a contract walk year. Is Kadri pricing himself right out of the Colorado Avalanche future?

Vegas: And you get a contract, and you get a contract, GM Kelly McCrimmon signed three players to extensions, including Brayden McNabb. Vegas Golden Knights news.

I don’t know about you, but Brad Marchand has been making me laugh for a couple of weeks. He brings some personality to the game:

Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin continue their competition over who's the last guy off the ice during warmups: pic.twitter.com/z4LGs9FbxZ

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) January 31, 2022

Boston Hockey Now: However, we’ve got a Patrice Bergeron situation. Could another captain and franchise cornerstone leave the Boston Bruins?

Washington: Braden Holtby didn’t last long in his return to Washington. He was pulled after the first period. Usually, when players on opposing benches talk to each other, it includes less-than-cordial insights about mothers and threats. Instead, Nick Backstrom leaned over to talk with his old friend about family and anything else but the Washington Capitals.

NYI: The Isles situation is slipping away, if not already slipped away. They will probably not make the NHL playoffs this season, but Barry Trotz redefined the goalie situation for young Ilya Sorokin and the New York Islanders.