Dan’s Daily: Burke Hints Penguins Will Add Physicality, Shorter Season

The Pittsburgh Penguins are never boring, and now they’ve added President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke’s colorful honesty to the mix. The Penguins trade targets likely will include players who can play long pants hockey, and Burke explained why. Penguins advisor Trevor Daley is using his experience to promote diversity, Derek Stepan is on the NHL trade block, and Matt Murray is injured.

We’ll start with our friends over at 93-7 the Fan. PoHO Brian Burke likes teams that are hard to play against. He cited the Penguins as the last “small, fast” team to win the Stanely Cup. It sure sounds like Penguins trade targets will include truculence (93-7 the Fan Audio)

You’re going to have an interesting relationship with Burke. His resume is a mixed bag of success and failures, but he’s honest. His hockey philosophy runs somewhat counter to what you believe to be true. That doesn’t mean he’s wrong.

There was no Penguins trade, but they may have added a bit of jam on Thursday night. Zach Aston-Reese returned and was a disruptive presence. Can it continue? (PHN+)

The NHL has quarantined players to their home and rink. And THAT’S IT. The league has also “strongly recommended” family members do the same (Pittsburgh Hockey Now)

From Sportsnet TV — Penguins Hockey Advisor Trevor Daley is using his experience to improve diversity in hockey (Sportsnet)

Now to the NHL trade block — Ottawa Senators Derek Stepan could be the first out of Ottawa (Sportsnet)

Hailey Salvian rolled through the possible trade destinations for Sam Bennett (The Athletic)

I like Hailey’s work, but I think she missed one team: The Pittsburgh Penguins. See the lead story in this column. Burke’s Calgary Flames drafted Bennett, and he is the sandpaper the Penguins want. Though Bennett wants a top-six role, and that’s not happening with the Penguins.

Matt Murray left Friday night’s game vs. Winnipeg after a collision with Nikita Zaitsev (Ottawa Sun)

The NHL is discussing ch-ch-changes with the NHL Draft Lottery. Or even abolishing it. The woeful Detroit Red Wings picked fourth in 2020. There are a lot of people who don’t want to see a terrible team fall that far, again (NBC Sports)

You can’t abolish the lottery and the Penguins are the reason why. In 1983, the Penguins demoted their starting goalie to the minors, traded their Norris Trophy-winning defenseman, and did EVERYTHING possible to LOSE, so they could draft some pimply-faced teenager from Montreal named Mario Lemieux.

National Hockey NOW

Want to know EVERY franchise’s longest road trip? The San Jose Sharks just finished a marathon away from home. Sheng Peng did some digging — Check out this awesomeness, including the Penguins (San Jose Hockey Now)

The Philadelphia Flyers are the latest team with a continuous trickle to the COVID protocol list. Are more postponements coming (Philly Hockey Now)

The Boston Bruins keep winning. They’re solidly atop the East Division, and they beat the New York Rangers 1-0 on Friday. Here’s all you need to know (Boston Hockey Now)

Semyon Varlamov is posting a GREAT season so far on Long Island (NYI Hockey Now)

Pete DeBoer was fired by the San Jose Sharks but was quickly hired by the Vegas Golden Knights. He’ll make his return to San Jose after 14 months this weekend (Vegas Golden Knights)

Anthony Duclair is ready for the flood gates to open in Florida. And the Panthers are looking pretty good, by the way (Florida Hockey Now)