Dan’s Daily: Penguins Updates; Laine Suffers Serious Injury

The Pittsburgh Penguins got all dressed up but had no place to go Saturday as their plane encountered mechanical issues and never left Pittsburgh. At least we made it to Detroit and back, and we will do the same again on Monday. Coach Mike Sullivan also offered a new update on defenseman Erik Karlsson. Elsewhere in the Daily, Patrik Laine suffered a serious injury in a game Saturday, Tony DeAngleo explained his KHL choice, Nick Robertson is fighting for his roster spot in Toronto, and the LA Kings are looking at options to replace Drew Doughty, who is out month-to-month with a broken ankle.

The nine hours of seat time Saturday was a chance to catch up on … absolutely nothing. Every business call I made was to someone who had an actual life and wondered why in the world I was calling on a Saturday, but at least I devoured most of Little Caesar’s pizza with some wings and Tim Horton’s coffee at the arena. Zombieland Rule #11: Enjoy the little things.

We’ll have coverage today and head back to Detroit on Monday. I’m telling you—Detroit is worth a little road trip for a Penguins game (or Pirates?). The city underwent a remarkable cleanup.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s the new and improved weekend/Monday Penguins schedule.

It is going to be a hellscape of games this week. I think the training camp is basically over, but the spate of games will keep some guys on the roster who otherwise might have been “cut” on Monday.

Sullivan offered another Erik Karlsson update and the goalie share on Monday (now subject to change) in the Penguins notebook.

We’ve got some interesting stories on Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Graves on tap. I’m undecided about whether to chat with Graves or our scouts about Graves’s game. TBD.

Steelers Now: It’s a pretty big game for the Steelers because they have a chance to put a stranglehold on the AFC North just four weeks into the season, and Justin Fields has a chance to solidify his spot at QB1 against the Colts. Here’s something to watch today as Fields adds a wrinkle to the Steelers’ offense.

Did you know reporters cannot report what they see at Steelers/NFL practices? Can’t even ask directly about it, but if they get someone on record talking about something, THEN they can report it. So, when you see analysis from a reporter that this or that could happen, you know they’re seeing something they’re not allowed to tell you directly. Hint, hint.

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NHL Rumors, News & National Hockey Now

Montreal Hockey Now: A couple of significant injuries marred the Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens game. Top Canadiens prospect David Reinbacher sustained an injury, and then Patrick Laine suffered what looked like a serious knee injury on a questionable hit at the blue line. That’s when Arber Xhekaj exacted some frontier justice and threw some fists. Here’s the wild Montreal Canadiens update.

NY Times: Drew Doughty is out month-to-month with a fractured ankle. Are we looking at some bubbling NHL trade rumors, or will LA stay internal? Who will the LA Kings look at to repair their lineup?

NYI Hockey Now: OK, here we go on Long Island. Their preseason is coming to a close, and Lou Lamoriello and coach Patrick Roy have some decisions to make. Who is in on the bubble or in trouble for the New York Islanders?

RG.Org: Tony DeAngelo said he could have signed a PTO in the NHL or taken a European deal, but he chose the KHL. Here’s why and what he was thinking.

Philly Hockey Now: It’s soon to become a thing in Philly. We are in the beginning stages of a full-blown love affair between fans and a new player. It’s about to be Michkov-mania in Philadelphia, as the kid was impressive Saturday. Watch out for Matvei Michkov.