CHICAGO — We are making it a running theme until the Philadelphia Flyers win a game. Every day “Flyers Still Winless” will appear in the headline. And boy howdy, there’s some chaos in Philly right now. The Pittsburgh Penguins are not immune from criticism, and PHN delivered a big-picture and inside analysis of the current state of the problematic Penguins’ play.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the Detroit Red Wings are drawing a hard line with Simon Edvinsson. According to interim GM Shawn Horcoff, don’t expect a trade. However, the Flyers are prepared to chum the waters of the NHL trade market. And The Sheet podcast reports that Montreal has a standing offer that Detroit will accept IF Dylan Larkin agrees to go to Montreal.

Penguins lines: projected lineup and starting goalie →

I must tell you, I worked my butt off this week. The hours have been insane because the corporate side backed a dump truck load of work on me, but I found some time yesterday to have a little fun.

First, the original Billy Goat Tavern. Cheezborger, Cheezborger! As a kid who grew up essentially worshiping the comedy legends, it just tickles me to sit in the grubby dive bar/diner where Belushi, Akroyd, and Murray hung out.

I wandered around downtown on the north side of the river where I’m staying, but I couldn’t get into the couple of diner spots that looked cool. There’s some big-time convention in town, and they swarmed everything. So, after an overpriced tapas dinner and a $9 local can of beer ($80 with tip?! I’ll be eating very cheaply for the next couple of days), I found an absolute gem of a place to hang out within a block of my hotel. It’s called Beercade. They have dozens of pinball and old arcade games. With the 1980s music blasting, I felt the need to find my jean jacket and a roll of quarters, but the games were free. I left when my hands were sore.

But I brought shame to the house of Pittsburgh when I found NHL Ice. How could I lose while playing with Mario and Jagr? I lost 8-1 and 7-1.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The last time I wrote a column like the one I did on Wednesday was December 2024 in Toronto. Things were much, MUCH worse then. Things are certainly not ugly or broken inside this Penguins team like they were then, but … after watching these first seven games and talking to players, there is something wrong with the Penguins.

Steelers Now: A sad story to me. But time moves on. Terry Bradshaw admits that his TV career is almost over. It’s been a ride for the Steelers QB.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Detroit Hockey Now: No sale. The interim GM said the team is not trading Simon Edvinsson. It’s both an assuring move and yet another sign of the chaos of the crumbling organization that is the Detroit Red Wings.

NHLtraderumors.me: I suppose you all will decide if some analysts who are rising are legit sources of info or not. On Jeff Marek’s podcast, Dave Pagnotta reported that Montreal will have the deal done within an hour if Larkin agrees to the trade.

Philly Hockey Now: The trade chatter is getting a little loud in Philly. Will James sorted through the rumors. What makes sense and what doesn’t. So, here is everything—some sanity and the Flyers trade rumors.

Sportsnet: Gary Bettman’s little shot across the bow on the issue of trade clauses has raised the NHLPA’s dander. Union leader Marty Walsh shot back.

Colorado Hockey Now: Dave Hakstol is leaving the Colorado Avalanche. The assistant coach is leaving the NHL to take over the suddenly beleaguered and scandal-ridden Arizona State program.

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