CALGARY, Alberta — The Pittsburgh Penguins won their second consecutive game against a Western Conference opponent that wanted to play a tight defensive game and in the process have claimed second place in the Metro Division. We’ve got the full analysis and locker room reaction after the Penguins doused the Flames at the Saddledome. Also, Shelly Anderson has the scoop on what Kyle Dubas said on his radio show, and we talked to Ilya Solovyov about his day in limbo before finding out he was traded.

Elsewhere in the Daily, a couple of Western Conference teams, including Calgary, are putting their wares on the NHL trade market, and the stories out of Edmonton are that the Oil have finally found goaltending that works, including Tristan Jarry.

We don’t have a lot of time this morning, and last night’s game and locker room took forever and a day, so Dan’s night between getting back to the hotel and this piece was a lot shorter than it should have been.

But we’re on our way to Edmonton. Donair pizza!!

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Let’s start with Solovyov. He’s just a big guy. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be traded, the Penguins’ newest defenseman detailed what he went through on Tuesday as the deal went down and what he hopes to bring to the Penguins’ lineup.

On Dubas’s radio show, he talked more in-depth about the trade. Heck, they got an NHL defenseman for Valtteri Puustinen? Dubas discussed the Penguins’ tracking and expectations.

Now to the two points and the ascension to second place. If I had told you in August that the Pittsburgh Penguins would be in second place in the Metro Division after 49 games, you might have asked for a breathalyzer.

For those of you who didn’t stay up for the game, here’s the Penguins recap. And we dug into the game (though we mostly skipped the tactical analysis of that slog) and have locker room reaction and the Penguins report card.

The folks at the Saddledome are quite proud of their hospitality, and I would agree. They treat us very well. As does all of Calgary. This is a great city–it’s old school Pittsburgh meets old school Dallas. I HIGHLY recommend making the Alberta hockey pilgrimage next year before the new barn.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

Edmonton Journal: Hmm. The Seattle Kraken are fighting for a playoff spot, but are also putting some pieces on the NHL trade market, including big defenseman Jamie Oleksiak. Does he fit with the Oilers?

TSN: Nazem Kadri. That is Calgary’s next possible trade chip, and the team and player’s camp are having discussions if Kadri stays through this rebuild/retool/rewhatever or if the Flames put him on the market.

Kadri is 35 and has three years remaining on his deal, so this might be the time.

NHLtraderumors.me: The Washington Capitals are making calls on the market, too. It sounds like they’re going big-game hunting, looking for some top-six help.

Philly Hockey Now: Let’s actually get to some hockey action and the reason the Penguins are beginning to pull away. The Flyers were up 4-2 on the Utah Mammoth, then…lost it in overtime. The reaction was as swift and negative as you might imagine. The Flyers are soul-searching.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils are really a team that should be in the top three of the Metro, but the wheels have fallen off. The engine has blown. Even the windshield wipers are busted at this point. After Jack Hughes comes back, now Luke Hughes is out–for the season? It’s more bad news for the New Jersey Devils.

Maybe Quinn was correct to avoid that vortex in NJ.

We’ve got ourselves a day today. Bus to Edmonton (I try to avoid flying because I fear getting stuck in the Calgary airport…again…and missing the game).

I’ll be on the bus with plenty to do, including a column on Dan Muse that I’m anxiously awaiting to write.

Tags: nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins

Categorized: Links NHL Trade Rumors