Dubas Pulls Karlsson Off Trade Market; Penguins Freefall

We’ve got full coverage from PPG Paints Arena after the Pittsburgh Penguins lost in regulation, again, and that playoff spot is not so assured. Now, I find I’ve changed my mind and opened up the door to the likelihood of missing the playoffs. The Penguins need help. We broke down the game, good and bad, and the growing cracks in their game. We also hit the goaltender interference issue hard, and probably in a way that others have not.

Elsewhere in the Daily, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas used TSN to take Erik Karlsson off this summer’s trade block, or at least attempted to take him off the block. Sportsnet dove into the Norris Trophy race. Reports indicate that the Detroit Red Wings had options at the NHL trade deadline but declined any move that involved their prospects. Lastly, Toronto and Chicago gave the Penguins some help, but as usual, the Philadelphia Flyers were no help at all.

I’ll confess to feeling bad for the Penguins. They are good guys in that room, and as the hierarchy has changed over the last year or so, they’re more accessible and it’s far more enjoyable to cover them. We speak. We can joke around. And I know you have come along for the ride in a much different way this season; you were dragged kicking and screaming into supporting this roster, but eventually bought in.

But now, the worst-case scenario is gaining ground.

Anyway, I’m off to Ottawa this morning. I’ve decided–ALL 82!!! We’re doing it, provided the Penguins are still in playoff contention. The enormously expensive challenge was Tampa, but I found an acceptable deal and cashed in some airline miles, and we’ll be there. 82, baby.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: They lost. You won’t read it, but the factoids, the NHL’s statement, and the details to know are in the Penguins recap.

So, let’s get into this. I’m not sure I’ve written a report card with quite this much different content. We’ll start with what the Penguins were doing really well in the first period. Then goaltending issues popped up. And, oh my, another goaltender interference call that defied any logic or explanation. In fact, even the NHL’s explanation was stunningly … wrong. Dan Muse’s reaction postgame was something because he’s just out of words. The report card has all the Penguins analysis.

And Evgeni Malkin is injured. Out day to day.

The playoff picture is now a dead sprint to the end, and most teams have played 71 games, so there are no more big swings with games in hand, but the Penguins’ schedule is brutal.

The Penguins have slipped to third place with 86 points, one behind the Columbus Blue Jackets. Boston is the top wild card with 86 points. Ottawa is the second wild card with 85 points. The first team out of the playoffs, the New York Islanders, has 85 points with 72 games played. Detroit is lurking at 84 points.

Four teams make it. Two go home.

NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now

TSN: The wording of the story leaves me wanting more clarity. A lot more. However, one thing was clear: Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas told Pierre LeBrun that the Penguins don’t plan to trade Erik Karlsson this summer.

So, Dubas will try to re-sign him? So they’ll hold him until the 2027 trade deadline? Let him walk away? I have some questions.

Daily Faceoff: Anthony DiMarco, who has risen from Philly blogger to actual national reporter with a good rep, says the Detroit Red Wings shutdown all trade talk involving their prospects. Nyet. Off limits.

Sportsnet: The Canadian rights holder has been informally polling players and scanning other media reports (Guess they missed Shelly’s story about Sidney Crosby’s reaction) for player reaction to the uneven suspensions handed out.

Detroit Hockey Now: With a win, the Red Wings would be equal to the Penguins with 86 points, but they let the Ottawa Senators snag the second wild card. Ottawa win. Red Wings loss and fallout.

Boston Hockey Now: Not all the news involving Toronto was bad for the Penguins. The Toronto Maple Leafs helped the cause and beat the Boston Bruins.

Chicago Hockey Now: And the best news of the evening, the game that kept the Penguins in a playoff seed, the New York Islanders’ supercharged late rally wasn’t enough, and they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Tags: erik karlsson nhl rumors Penguins Analysis Penguins Trade Pittsburgh Penguins