Dan’s Daily: Crosby Hit Upsets Caps, Skills Competition on Vegas Strip?

After Jack Eichel became a Vegas Golden Knight, the (credible) NHL trade rumors ran dry. I like to pepper the Daily with those, but we got nothing right now. The Pittsburgh Penguins flatlined in a terrible loss to the Washington Capitals. However, Sidney Crosby showed his frustration and heaved a Capitals defenseman into the boards, and Eric Staal is still hoping to play somewhere, anywhere, this season.

I wanted a replay of the Crosby hip toss. We didn’t get one in Pittsburgh, but we sure got one in Washington.

Washington: Sidney Crosby tossed Mertin Fehervary into the end boards. It was more like a heave. Washington wasn’t happy, though Fehervary seemed to laugh it off. Or promise revenge. It was tough to tell. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Here’s the horror show that was the Penguins’ 6-1 loss to Washington. 

PHN+: “Time is Important.” The Pittsburgh Penguins had no life. It was an unacceptable effort. There’s something different about this Penguins team, and that’s not good. 

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

NYI: Here’s a good way to put it, too. Joining the Penguins in the Metro cellar is the New York Islanders. Barry Trotz scolded his team–“We have too many guys who are just playing.”

Vegas: There’s a hot rumor flying around that the NHL Skills Competition could be held on the Las Vegas Strip. Please and thank you!

Detroit: I was skeptical but deferential to Steve Yzerman when he sought Alex Nedeljokovic as his starting goalie. He was right. Nedeljkovic is proving he’s the goalie now and of the future. 

Some guys have the Midas touch. Yzerman has it. I also think Ron Hextall has it but too sparingly uses it. All of Hextall’s acquisitions have been positives, from Mark Friedman to Jeff Carter, Danton Heinen, and Brock McGinn. Anyway…

Colorado: If you have the talent, the world will find you. The National Hockey Now network welcomed some fresh blood in Colorado–Kelsey Hammond. Former Avs and a sports radio intern who can write. The picture of her bulldog is worth the click. 

San Jose: After a good start, the San Jose Sharks are quickly sinking–fading away from their identity. 

Calgary: Dan Vladar has been trying to bust through for a few years. He was part of the Bruins overcrowded creases, and in Calgary, he’s behind Jacob Markstrom. However, head coach Daryl Sutter rewarded him with a couple of starts, and the coach was in turn rewarded with a stellar 4-0 shutout. Vladar–“I’m going to frame the puck.”