CALGARY, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins did a little wheeling and dealing Monday, acquiring an NHL defenseman in exchange for AHL winger Valtteri Puustinen. We also have the practice report, including injury updates on Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson.
Elsewhere in the Daily, Linus Ullmark told the real story of his leave of absence and mental health, but also gave a candid look at the inside of the game and how social media has changed the world. New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury held more meetings with players who have no-trade clauses, the Minnesota Wild might dangle a goalie on the NHL trade market to find a top center, the Penguins got some help from LA, and Tristan Jarry made a spectacular save on former teammate Cody Glass.
Downtown Calgary was a wee bit empty last night. I didn’t bother taking a picture of dinner for a recommendation–I went to my favorite little bar and steak place, but quite literally another writer and I were the ONLY people in there at 7 p.m. Yeah, awkward. It’s obviously going downhill. Another great Canadian spot I’ve lost this year. Womp womp.
So, I watched hockey in my hotel room. I will write and say this again, and until I’m blue in the face:
AMERICAN TV BOSSES: STOP PANDERING TO THE BASIC AND START PANDERING TO HOCKEY FANS. Enough with the generic coverage. Sportsnet was talking headlines, trade targets, and, you know, hockey. It is so much more pleasurable to watch as the broadcast brings the game and the Game to viewers.
As regional sports networks go belly up across the country, they still haven’t figured out the simplest tenet: superserve your core audience. Become must watch.
Hockey fans aren’t casual, and they generally aren’t simple.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Trade. It would appear to be a very good trade for the Penguins, who got an NHL-level defenseman (or borderline) in exchange for a former prospect. Here’s the scouting report and trade for Ilya Solovyov.
Practice had a lot going on. Kris Letang was absent, and Erik Karlsson was present. Karlsson was in rare form, having some fun and jokes, but he was also honest about his injury and return after Penguins practice.
Steelers Now: In-person interviews have begun to see who gets to be the next head coach. Follow along on Alan Saunders’s big board of Steelers’ coaching candidates.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
TSN: It was the most consequential sitdown interview of the season, and perhaps the last few seasons. Linus Ullmark talked about why he took a leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators and the fallout of those ridiculous rumors. I couldn’t watch the entire interview at once because it got heavy. For every person who has struggled with mental health, for fans who view players as pieces and commodities and treat them as one-dimensional objects, watch this.
TSN Insiders: More on Ullmark. And Drury met with more players to discuss the retool, but it seems J.T. Miller won’t be going anywhere–whether or not the Rangers would consider trading him.
Sportsnet: A little palate cleanser. New Jersey hung on to beat Edmonton, but Tristan Jarry made a few spiffy saves, including a rolling windmill theft of Cody Glass’s point-blank wrist shot.
Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers were in a playoff spot last week. A handful of losses and they are falling behind the Penguins. Will James has a primary name–a No. 1 center as the Flyers trade target.
The Athletic: Minnesota back on the market and swinging for the fences. It seems GM Bill Guerin might be willing to part with the Wall in St. Paul, Jesper Wallstedt. And Minnesota wants a center.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Is now the time to trade Dougie Hamilton?
Detroit Hockey Now: It looked like a bust. John Gibson did not get off to a good start with the Detroit Red Wings, but after a few months, things are clicking, and the Red Wings trade is looking better.
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