The Pittsburgh Penguins are active on the NHL trade market, and so are a few other teams, including the Ottawa Senators, who are trying to avoid another lost season, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who may have an interesting trade chip to play. On the ice, the Penguins were outscored 10-2 over the weekend and didn’t even look that good as the team quit and were called out by goalie Alex Nedeljkovic. Things are coming to a head, and big changes are needed in one way or another. Elsewhere in the Daily, Maple Leads coach Craig Berube used a rare opportunity and united Alex Nylander with William Nylander on the same line. The St. Louis Blues snapped up Jim Montgomery, and something Penguins fans may want to keep an eye on is the struggle of the Edmonton Oilers–is it a roster or goalie problem?
Would you like to know what I did this weekend outside of a hockey rink? Nothing. Absolutely nothing, and I loved it. The NHL schedule this season has been just the other side of ridiculous, and I believe it’s part of the reason so many good teams are struggling. There is a lot of three-games-in-four-nighst nonsense happening.
Someday soon, I hope that AI or some smart humans can figure out a way for consistent NHL scheduling. Fans should know that their team has a game at 7 p.m. Saturday. The same is true for the rest of the week–fans should be able to expect a game every Monday or Tuesday (pick one!), with adjustments for national TV games. It’s silly that the Penguins played three in four and then had four days between games. The NBA hasn’t been able to figure it out, either, so maybe I’m asking the impossible, but even in shared buildings, one would think a regimented schedule with three games per week and the occasional fourth would make life easier.
Also, it was nice to see George Russell actually win an F1 race without him or his team screwing it up. The Vegas track is pretty good, but they have to work on some of the camera angles to showcase just how embedded in Las Vegas that track is. The cars go ripping down the strip at 180mph but you don’t get the full visual.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with the Penguins’ trade chatter, which is emerging as general manager Kyle Dubas and staff are “heavily scouting” the Montreal Canadiens. Daren Dreger broke that part of the story and we take a look at the few players who could be available that also fit Dubas’s Penguins trade plans.
OK, now to the uncomfortable stuff.
The team essentially quit on Saturday. In the third period, the Utah Hockey Club was toying with the Penguins as they stood flat-footed, almost helpless to do anything about it. Nedeljkovic didn’t rip his team but challenged everyone to do more. However, the “more” may rest above the players. It’s coming to a head that it’s either coach Mike Sullivan or roster changes are necessary. Here’s Sunday’s sharp elbows Penguins perspective.
Steelers Now: This may make a few of you cringe. Mike Tomlin is among the five highest paid coaches in all of North American sports. That’s an elite payday for the Steelers coach.
Pittsburgh Baseball Now: When John Perrotto speaks (or writes), it is good to listen. The Pirates cut ties with a few players over the weekend, including their prized trade deadline acquisition. Whoops. Perrotto gives it to the Buccos with both sides of the sword and credits GM Ben Cherrington for swallowing his pride. Here’s a hefty Pirates opinion.
NHL Trade Talk, News & National Hockey Now
Ottawa Sun: Bruce Garrioch lines up the Ottawa Senators. They’re on the hunt, and they absolutely should be, for some help. It’s interesting to note who is on the trade block and who is not. I also wonder if Penguins fans will see the same crazy trade opportunity that I do (but will not write because even I would call it fanboy craziness). The Senators are out there.
Hockey Night in Canada: The Columbus Blue Jackets are between a rock and a hard place with young defenseman David Jiricek. Last season, he blasted them for sending him to the AHL, this season, they had to do so again. So, what happens next and will a team come to the table with a good offer? Elliotte Friedman said teams are trying.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Remember this guy? Stefan Noesen has become a key figure in the swamp monster’s emergence this season. After bouncing around for a good while, Noesen is excelling with the New Jersey Devils.
TSN: Coach Craig Berube had a little fun Sunday. Injuries have taken a good chunk out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup, so they purchased the contract of Alex Nylander (remember him?). Berube took the opportunity to unite the Nylander brothers on the same line in the Maple Leafs win.
Also, from TSN, perhaps a few of you want to start tracking the 18-year-old prospects. Here’s a bit more on the U-18 CHL/USA prospects challenge.
Philly Hockey Now: Not everything is sunny in Philadelphia. After a strong start to his Philly career, Owen Tippett is off-pace this season. Jon Bailey puts Tippett on center stage. The Philadelphia Flyers need more.
Montreal Hockey Now: This is always an “ouch” type column. Marc Dumont rolls through the myriad of recently former Canadiens and how they are performing around the league–check out the Montreal Canadiens goodbye list.
