The grind of the Monday Daily is always a little bit harder because many hockey outlets actually take off on Sunday. One of these days, I’m going to try that day off thing, too. In the meantime, the Pittsburgh Penguins are facing serious issues with a mad head coach and a roster good enough to pressure other teams but not good enough to win games. Elsewhere in the Daily, the rumors of Quinn Hughes to New Jersey are picking up steam after a report that Vancouver is weighing its options. The Montreal Canadiens got a free agent gift from the St. Louis Blues, Mikko Rantanen got a timeout from the NHL, and fans are turning on the 3v3 overtime formula.

For the record, the last time PHN didn’t have new content was Easter Sunday, 2019. In fairness, we rewrote some older stories during lockdown (but I’m still trying to block out that year-plus), but there will be fresh content Thursday for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. So, uh, read it, eh?

And, for subscribers, we’re digging into some of the oddball issues that a few of you are having. I got the architect of everything to fix things. Whew!

And for those who asked, the watch I wore on Final Word last night was a relatively inexpensive collector watch–A Seiko 5 designed by Brian May of Queen. The dial is his Red Special guitar, and it’s set with a gold bezel. I really should wear it more, but it has a terrible strap that drives me bonkers, and I hate to swap straps from original designs.

I also hate to add salt and pepper and extraneous sauces to my food because it should taste as the chef intended. And I’ll die on that hill!

Now then, to the hockey.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Muse pushed some buttons Saturday after the game. And it was a refreshing wind for many fans. General manager Kyle Dubas also has some options. But will he use them? Our Sunday Penguins blog is packed.

Steelers Now: It was almost predictable. It came down to the final drive, and the Steelers’ offense just didn’t have it. Alan Saunders has some sharp analysis from Chicago. Derrick Bell dips into the Dudes and Duds, and the full locker room reaction to another Steelers loss.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates had a pretty good pitching staff, and a unanimous Cy Young award winner to boot. They might get a little better next year, too. Danny Demilio is breaking down the Buccos’ 40-man roster, and one forgotten name is Jared Jones, who had season-ending surgery. He’s itching to get back on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

New Jersey Hockey Now: Will the Vancouver Canucks draw a line in the sand with Quin Hughes this season? Can the New Jersey Devils make it happen? James Nichols had that part of the story Sunday, but also added another layer, too: Which is better for the NJD, a forward or Hughes?

Sportsnet: Michael Amato’s Sunday Overreactions. Boos fell upon the recent OT segment in Toronto as St. Louis circled back and circled back to their own zone. Are fans tired of 3v3 OT? And, is Jesper Wallstedt saving the Minnesota Wild season?

TSN: Mikko Rantanen has been tossed in two of the last three games. His first ejection a few days ago against the New York Islanders has proven costly. His first victim, defenseman Alexander Romanov, will be out for five to six months after the boarding hit. Rantanen again delivered a vicious boarding hit Saturday against the Flames, and so the NHL said to sit … for one game.

Montreal Hockey Now: Alexander Texier wanted no part of being demoted in St. Louis, so he asked out of his contract. After he cleared waivers, he signed a one-year deal with (to no one’s surprise), the Montreal Canadiens. Marc Dumont has the instant Canadiens analysis.

Florida Hockey Now: Getting a letter has been dangerous business for the Florida Panthers. Injuries have chased their captain and two alternates. Paul Maurice addressed why no one else has gotten the letter, and George Richards had a pretty good headline: This Story is Brought to You by the Letter A. Here’s the Panthers scoop.

Colorado Hockey Now: The hottest team in the league and probably the longest winning streak we’re going to see. Nine…NINE wins in a row for the Colorado Avalanche.

Tags: new jersey devils nhl news nhl rumors Pittsburgh Penguins quinn hughes

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