DENVER/LAS VEGAS — From somewhere in between the Rockies and the desert, the NHL trade chatter centers on the Metro Division, including the roiling row of the recoiling Philadelphia Flyers. The Columbus Blue Jackets coach is still barking at his team. And the Pittsburgh Penguins are, umm, yeah, becoming a self-destructive team.
The Saturday Dailies usually have a little more meat, but perhaps Hockey Night in Canada will drop a bombshell or two for the Sunday edition. After losses, especially late-night defeats, Penguins fans just check out. Those of us on this side of the keyboard joke about how bad our numbers will be after a central or western loss, but I think the Friday grades are worth a read for both the Xs and Os section (and what it tells us about the team) as well as the grades.
A few games are a slump; six games is a trend pointing toward a conclusion—and the conclusion on the Penguins could create a split if it continues.
In the meantime, I was introduced to my new favorite restaurant in Denver. Sam’s No. 3 was closed due to a kitchen problem both Thursday and Friday, so I resigned myself to not getting my potent green chili eats. However, one of our regular Live Chat participants and a subscriber, Gable, invited me to lunch at a greasy spoon near Coors Field called the Chili Shack. Oh my, it was brilliant. A double cheeseburger and fries covered in the green chili with a good bit of spicy kick. It was a lovely lunch with some good people. Thanks, Gable!
To the hockey…
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: If you normally skip over the game recaps, check out our new format this season in which I break down each goal. This one was particularly rough for the visiting Penguins.
And we took off the gloves for the postgame analysis. The Xs and Os section was a split decision on the same tactic, and the Penguins again forced what they wanted to do rather than what they needed to do at a critical juncture. And the Penguins Grades.
The Penguins have a real problem brewing on the blue line.
PHN+: Our weekly Insider column of the Penguins Room was less about the conversations and more about what we’re seeing … and not seeing, including the one big difference from last season. For our subscribers, check out the Penguins Room.
The Penguins are about to enter the second stint of real adversity in the Kyle Dubas era. The first was a mess he was handed. This one is a little different.
And some bad Penguins news: Egor Chinakhov is out with a lower-body injury that he suffered at practice Thursday. He’s being evaluated, but it looks like more than a simple couple of days’ rest.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
NHLtraderumors.me: Another heavy-duty piece on the Philadelphia Flyers and the angst sweeping Philly. Reportedly, there is only one untouchable player, though the Flyers are not anxious to deal a few others.
According to Elliotte Friedman on the latest 32 Thoughts pod, the trade interest is also warming around blocked Capitals prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko. The 22-year-old is ready for his NHL closeup, but he won’t be cracking the Capitals’ lineup.
Sportsnet: Rick Bowness is still poking at his team, still angry. He ended last season angry about their compete level and willingness to accept defeat. He’s begun this season with the same anger, and he’s ripping his team publicly.
While a coach kicking his team over their attitude is always interesting, if you were a rival GM making a trade call, wouldn’t you question whether you’re getting one of their problems?
Detroit Hockey Now: As the numbers to sign Simon Edvinsson emerge, Max Smith writes—Duh. These numbers should have been obvious from the very beginning for the Detroit Red Wings.
That’s all we’ve got time for this morning. After a short night, the plane to Vegas awaits…
Related Headlines