In hopes of salvaging something positive from an otherwise rotten road trip, the Pittsburgh Penguins headed to Salt Lake City on Monday evening to take on the Utah Mammoth. Proceedings could not have started better for the Penguins, scoring just over a minute into the game on an Erik Karlsson power play goal. That lead, only their second of the entire road trip, lasted all of five minutes before the Mammoth drew even then eventually pulled away in the end for a 5-4 victory, sending the Penguins back to Pittsburgh on a four game skid. [Pensburgh]
Pens Points…
Good news for the Penguins? Last week was tough but now it’s behind them and this week is a fresh slate with a return home on the horizon. Bad news? That fresh slate will present another gauntlet of challenges that will test the Penguins. Don’t worry, I’m sure next week will be easier (it won’t). [Pensburgh]
If the Penguins can’t rebound from this slow start to the season and they are in a hole they don’t think they can recover from, it could put them in selling mode. There are several veterans who could be trade targets, but any return they get won’t provide immediate help to the lineup. [The Hockey News]
Declan Carlile signed with the Penguins this offseason as an under the radar player who was waiting to prove himself and stick in the NHL. His small sample size with the Penguins through nine games has brought good and bad moments, but he looks the part of an every game blue liner. [Trib Live]
NHL News and Notes…
It’s been a difficult few weeks between the Winnipeg Jets and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. After requesting a trade, Hellebuyck was suspended and has yet to join the team for any hockey activities this season. With no end in sight, everything remains in a holding pattern between the two sides. [NHL]
The aforementioned suspension for Hellebuyck that was issued by the Jets is set to expire on Friday. That means they will have to start paying him, but could ask him to remain away from the team, and there is no guarantee any trade gets done before that deadline hits. [ESPN]
Connor McDavid has been the best hockey player in the world for some time now. In case you forgot how good he was over the offseason, he’s been reminding you every time he steps on the ice season as his torrid pace has him sitting among the greatest players in hockey history. [Sportsnet]