Wild Olympic Parties & Pain; Un-Trade Chatter; Penguins Round 2

An absolutely incredible game became a wild night in Milan with more viral moments from one event than anything we’ve ever seen. From the wonderful tribute to Johnny Gaudreau to the consternation over the head of the FBI chugging beers in the locker room, to Mike Sullivan singing along with the boys to Toby Keith, to the angry dejection of Nathan MacKinnon looking at that stupid little stuffed animal. And the last thing I saw last night was the US boys hoisting Mike Eruzione on their shoulders as all involved emptied a case of beer. Yeah, it was that kind of night, and I’ll link below to as much as I could find.

Connor Hellebuyck. WOW. USA!

Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade chatter, or un-trade chatter, is in Columbus, where GM Don Waddell wants to hang onto pending free agents. The Pittsburgh Penguins locker room reacted to the joy of the US winning and the pain they felt for Sidney Crosby, who offered up the most selfless act by not playing Sunday because he wasn’t healthy enough. And Dan Muse is also ready to turn the page and get back to the Penguins’ season.

There’s a ton to get to, so let’s not waste too much time. A new No Pucks Given 49a (actually Ep 50, but I miscounted as I always do) is on the way today. I had to edit some things. Let’s just say the number of celebrities claiming to be embarrassed to be Americans got under my skin, and the gold medal might have uncorked a few sentences I needed to edit. I’m pretty sure 90% of people would have agreed or at least been cool with what I said. It wasn’t political, but not being political becomes political in 2026, doesn’t it? So, I edited.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: From Penguins practice–the boys reacted. Kris Letang had a good line about Crosby’s character and competitive drive, and Dan Muse is done with the break. It’s all from the Penguins locker room.

There was only one story yesterday, and I mean that in a meta sense. Like, what am I going to ask Muse about–the Devils on Thursday?

Here’s a modified postgame of the victory, the goals, the save, Crosby handling dejection like a leader.

TSN: Sidney Crosby discussed his decision to give up his spot for a healthy player. It was agonizing for one of the greatest ever.

Steelers Now: I don’t mind this. I know a lot of fans do. It’s looking increasingly likely that Aaron Rodgers will play one more year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Look, maybe if Will Howard were healthy last year and the team had some sense of his progress, it might be different. The best QBs will be out of their reach in the draft, so what else ya got? Keep him upright and get a second WR.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

OK, we’ll start with the trade stuff, then … Olympics, baby!

The Athletic ($): The Columbus Blue Jackets have a handful of attractive unrestricted free agents, but Mr. Aaron Portzline reports that GM Don Waddell is not planning to move his UFAs because CBJ “has something here.” But they’re out of a playoff spot. So, what’s Columbus going to do?

NHL.com: America’s got talent. The HELLA-SAVE (I’m coining that term for Hellebuyck’s save on Devon Toews. Use it!). The goal. Jack Hughes, draped in the American flag, smiled through missing teeth. It was perhaps the best sporting event we’ll see in decades. Here’s NHL.com’s coverage and photos from the game.

We’re going to depart from the usual format for the special occasion to memorialize many of the viral moments.

Jack Hughes postgame interview after losing some chiclets and scoring the second most famous goal in US hockey history, “I love this country!”

Let me tell you, no one did more to rewrite their narrative and reputation in the Olympics than J. Hughes.

Proud to be an American. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/t6LzvTPNU5

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 22, 2026

From Quinn Hughes’ Instagram–he was going live–a lot–in the celebration.

Mike Eruzione. The captain and the hero of 1980. It was 46 years to the day since he and the entire US team swarmed the podium for the national anthem. Sunday night in Milan, the boys embraced their heritage, and Mr. Eruzione was having a good time.

This…I just love.

It’s a baaaad night to be a beer in Milan 🍻 pic.twitter.com/BFWbYrzA7v

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 22, 2026

After seeing the poor Canadian women get their stuffed animals following their receipt of the very disappointing silver medal, this writer tweeted, “Sorry you lost, here’s your stuffed animal.” Well, the organizers also awarded the men the stuffies well after receiving their medals. What were they thinking?! Nathan MacKinnon’s reaction–yeah, about how any of us would feel:

MacKinnon thinking what we are all thinking. pic.twitter.com/VDE5aUkIx7

— Gerry Dee (@gerrydee) February 22, 2026

It looks like Kash Patel is friendly with most of the Team USA locker room. I mean, I could do without the head of the FBI being doused in beer and chugging like it’s homecoming weekend and your fraternity brothers just passed the hat for six more cases, but he loves hockey. So, that part is cool. As long as no laws were broken…

Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.… pic.twitter.com/hBG987pxM2

— Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) February 22, 2026

I don’t know how many times they sang Courtesy of the Red White and Blue, but I’ve also seen a video of Sullivan joining in. Sullivan was soaking wet for his postgame presser, and I’m sure it wasn’t water.

A source, eh? I’m pretty sure half the players tweeted or Instagrammed this, too.

A source sent me this video of FBI Director Kash Patel partying with the US Men’s Olympic Hockey team. pic.twitter.com/egjmdhOAF6

— William Turton (@WilliamTurton) February 22, 2026

It’s a shame NBC hogged the video and then made it absolutely impossible to find. They did a great job of broadcasting the Olympic Games, and a genuinely terrible job of print and media coverage. So, from Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox, Dylan Larkin uncorked a few beauties, including this all-timer about the Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau.

Dylan Larkin: “Johnny and Matty should be here…. Somehow they put a spell around our net where that puck didn’t go in. Ironic, because it’s on the defensive side. He would never have been back there. We miss him, and we love him, and we love his family.” pic.twitter.com/JNNbUVcEkC

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) February 22, 2026

And I suppose we’ll end on this one.

Just an absolutely perfect gesture and tribute for Johnny Gaudreau. I’ll post two because I’m sure when NBC sees the first one, they’ll have it taken down.

Full video of Johnny Gaudreau’s kids honored on the ice #USA #USAHockey pic.twitter.com/VH78hivgn7

— Ben Rice Foundation (@Parmsisreal) February 22, 2026

And from the seats: What an amazing day. Hughes. Hughes. Hellebuyck, the Hella-Save. And the tribute. It seems the result was meant to be.

From Victoria S, who had a front row seat:

Tags: nhl trade Olympics Pittsburgh Penguins Team USA