ST. PAUL, Minn. — And we’re off. The Pittsburgh Penguins will practice Friday at jet to the tropical paradise of Winnipeg. Thursday, they made their union with Ben Kindel official, then pulled away from the Minnesota Wild. We’ve got all of the stories, video, and the hilarity of a wicked practical joke at the Penguins’ morning skate.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the Eastern Conference trade chatter, the Ottawa Senators’ goalie was none too happy with his team and let them know, and Brad Marchand stepped away from the Florida Panthers for something more important than hockey.

I suppose it doesn’t matter as much as I think it does, but no one is covering practice today. The Penguins are staying behind in Minnesota to practice, but the only flights out are well before practice. It’s probably an optional, and I would have regretted staying and renting a car for the worst eight-hour drive in the league, but I apologize to you nonetheless, and I’ll be kicking myself all day.

The people here are so freaking nice. The ever-so-sweet elevator lady, the congenial press box usher, and even the grandfatherly security guard each had a bucket of Halloween candy to dole out. Everyone here is just so damned friendly that even I smiled and began saying hello.

I feel like I need a few days in New York City to purge my soul of this pleasantry. I really could live here, except for the punishing winters and the predominant fashion style of flannels with cowboy boots or actual workboots.

Of course, I own zero Steelers gear, so I’m not exactly in line with Pittsburgh fashion, eh?

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, we’ll discuss the changing landscape of the trade market that the Penguins were leading. They are winning while others are losing, and suddenly, major talent is soon available. The Penguins are at the forefront of the changing landscape of the NHL trade market.

Now to the coverage in Minnesota.

The Penguins are going to keep at least one of the kids around. After 10 games, Ben Kindel is here to stay.

The Penguins beat the Minnesota Wild 4-1 and pulled away in the second and third periods. They left little doubt about what was going to happen. So, the report card was kind of fun to write because there were a handful of standout performances, including one forward who had his best game as a Penguin. The tactical analysis and some real insights from the locker room are in the Penguins report card.

And, a Penguins’ practical joke got the boys in a good mood on Thursday. Everyone got a good laugh. Well, almost everyone. A chalk outline of Parker Wotherspoon’s fan and faceplant.

Here it is. A memorial to Parker Wotherspoon’s swing and a miss. Sidney Crosby got a huge laugh. Even Dan Muse chuckled. Wotherspoon..smiled. pic.twitter.com/bVXbgiFomr

— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) October 30, 2025

Yes, I watched the joke unfold and know exactly who did it and with whose help. I chose to keep quiet, but as I told Wotherspoon after the skate, “I can be bought.”

Sportsnaut

The Cleveland Browns are expected to trade one of their Pro Bowl players.

Three Vegas Raiders on the trade block not named Maxx Crosby.

The update on the rumor that Private Party will jump ship from AEW to WWE.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Montreal Hockey Now: Since Sidney Crosby is being a spoil sport and not fanning the flames on the Canadiens trade rumors, now the shiny new toy is Nazem Kadri. But Marc Dumont has some thoughts on those Canadiens trade rumors.

The Athletic ($): Chris Johnston posted the three biggest Candiens trade targets, including Kadri (read Dumont first), and Pavel Zacha on the trade block.

Colorado Hockey Now: Martin Necas got PAID. There was some real question if he would stick around in Colorado, but he put his name on a deal with term and dollars. Here’s the full story as the Colorado Avalanche paid up.

Florida Hockey Now: A friend’s daughter passed away, and Brad Marchand made a point to be there for his friend. The hockey pest is actually a good human. George Richards has the story of Marchand stepping away from the Florida Panthers for a good reason.

TSN: Linus Ullmark wasn’t happy with his Ottawa Senators team on Wednesday. Despite allowing a half-dozen goals, Ullmark said the team’s game is “immature.” Former NHL goalie Martin Biron and TSN panelists wondered if that was the right thing to do.

I suppose the comments helped? Ottawa came from behind to win a shootout last night.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils are forever on the outskirts. Despite being a good team, they’re never quite good enough? James Nichols rolls through the top four way-too-early Devils trade targets.

And last night, Devils coach Sheldon Keefe was not a happy camper. After consecutive beatdowns, Keefe let his Devils have it.

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