Dan’s Daily: Penguins Path vs. Fans; Bye-Week Trade Rumors

Many Pittsburgh Penguins fans want them to surrender. The players saw their season flash before their eyes on Saturday, and old age burned and raged at close of day. We analyzed why the Penguins’ comeback win Saturday was so important and why they’re not rebuilding. Former Ottawa Senators player Alex Formenton surrendered to police and was charged in connection with the alleged 2018 Team Canada sexual assault incident. Patrik Laine has entered the NHL’s Player Assistance Program. The NHL trade market is still short on goalies, but ESPN reports players are intrigued by Utah expansion.

The NHL bye week is only going to magnify the charges related to the 2018 Team Canada investigation. Canada works a little differently than the U.S., but I wish police would show their hand. I also wish justice could be delivered swiftly; guilty or innocent, the players receive their proper fate, but it doesn’t sound like that will be the case. This is going to be a lengthy process.

Refocusing on hockey, it feels like Marc-Andre Fleury will be popular heading to the NHL trade deadline.

And it’s official. Now that Loudermilk is trending on Netflix, I received a second text from an old friend. “Loudermilk is you!”

In fairness, I don’t usually confront people in public, but I do get overly annoyed with self-absorbed idiots or those who lack awareness.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: A season saver. With a loss on Saturday, the Penguins would have been eight points out of a wild card, needing to win all of their games in hand just to get close. Oh, and Sidney Crosby is ridiculous. Dave Molinari’s Penguins thoughts.

I’ll be honest–this might be the most well-written piece I’ve strung together this season. Perhaps I’m just a lightning rod for the zealous, but the calls for a rebuild seem to be intensifying despite the fast-improving playoff picture. So, here is why the Penguins won’t rebuild.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

ESPN: Flying Elvises, Utah chapter! The league is letting the cat out of the bag that they have potential owners who want to expand to Utah. Players are intrigued. Also, Emily Kaplan updates the NHL trade chatter involving the goalie market.

Boston Hockey Now: I’ll always view Jake DeBrusk as that Elmer Fudd hat-wearing, toothy-grinning kid from the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. It looks like his time in Boston is coming to a close, as he’s available on the trade block. Will the Oilers and Flames take a run at DeBrusk? The Bruins trade rumors.

Montreal Hockey Now: This one slipped past me. The Canadiens are receiving calls on Arber Xhekaj but have declined to discuss their heavy-fisted blueliner. The latest Canadiens trade chatter.

Philly Hockey Now: Owen Tippet has been a shocking surprise. He got some sunlight in Philly and has made the most of his opportunity. He also got a fat new contract last week, and Jon Bailey writes it was a steal for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Chicago Hockey Now: What, Connor Bedard wasn’t enough? The updated NHL draft lottery odds have the Chicago Blackhawks on “top.”

NHL.com: The Rangers got some bad news. Filip Chytil had an injury setback and will miss the remainder of the season.

Also, Patrik Laine has entered the NHL Player Assistance program and released a statement thanking fans for their support.

And the ugliness…

TSN: Lawers for Alex Formenton asserted his innocence but confirmed he turned himself in to police to face charges stemming from the alleged 2018 Team Canada sexual assault.

Over the weekend, I was speaking with a friend whose son plays junior hockey. He wasn’t fully aware of the Team Canada situation. I could hear the tension in his voice and the realization that his son was part of the machine as I explained the culture and the longstanding slush fund to settle scandals. It’s a system that needs a lot more parenting and oversight. That’s where I’ll stop for now.