Sidney Crosby held court from his dressing room stall Wednesday. The Pittsburgh Penguins star was remarkably upbeat despite the bad news that he will miss at least the next four weeks with a lower-body injury. We’ve got the full story and a video of the chat. The Penguins are starting from square one without their captain. A new top line and new defense pairings at practice highlighted what comes next.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the Vancouver Canucks have a pending trade, IF defenseman Tyler Myers agrees. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports there is interest in Canucks center Elias Pettersson, but no offers that have yet tempted Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin. And Vincent Trochek’s preference to remain in the East is complicating any New York Rangers trade.

We did, or at least tried to do a Live Chat on Wednesday night. This time, the gremlins were not on my end but on YouTube’s side. Comments kept disappearing. Even mine. So, it’s tough to Live Chat without the Chat. I simply pulled the plug after about 15 or 20 minutes.

I don’t know why, but those moments stress me out to level 10 and take a lot out of me. Maybe we’ll make the podcast on Sunday live or something as a make-up.

Back to the grind today! Whew. I was running thin on stories. The Penguins host Jack Hughes and the New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: First, the big announcement. Sidney Crosby is out for at least four weeks. Here’s the bad Penguins news.

It was a little bit surprising to me. Crosby strode into the locker room and was actually smiling. I expected dour, dejected, and sad. Instead, Crosby was upbeat, joking with reporters, and very positive. We have the story and the full video from the Penguins locker room.

Penguins practice was business as usual, except for the new top line and new defense pairing. Coach Dan Muse spoke about the risky pairing of newly acquired defenseman Sam Girard and Kris Letang, and players had to address life without Crosby.

And Vince Comunale delivered a pretty interesting article. Did you know–Team USA hockey was formed here in Pittsburgh? I had no idea, but the very first Olympic hockey tournament was in the summer Olympics, the US medaled, and it all started here. Check out this pretty cool origin story of Team USA hockey.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

TSN: There is an offer on the table. The Vancouver Canucks have accepted. However, 6-foot-8 defenseman Tyler Myers must approve it. Myers was pulled from the lineup last night while he considers it. Here’s what we know.

TSN Insiders: Dreger says there is also renewed interest in center Elias Pettersson.

New Jersey Hockey Now: I’ll freely admit, I see Jack Hughes in a different light. The guy who was injured at a team dinner this year is now an American hero, and he is handling the media blitz beautifully; not just talking, but giving great answers. Wednesday night, the New Jersey Devils honored him, and he skated over to the Sabres bench to include Tage Thompson. His chat with reporters was equal with effusive praise for others and an affirmation of his status with the New Jersey Devils.

Sportsnet Edmonton: Mark Spector is not one to give quarter, and the Edmonton Oilers lost Wednesday night with what Spector called Tristan Jarry’s “atrocious performance.” Edmonton’s big free agent get is crashing out, and so, too, is their big trade get. Things are not well with Edmonton.

Vegas Hockey Now: How about this–The Vegas Golden Knights basically punted the game against the LA Kings by sitting FIVE of their Olympians. And yet, in Artemi Panarin’s LA debut, the Golden Knights won.

Sportsnet: Perhaps an unfair test, but the Toronto Maple Leafs are six points back of a playoff spot. Auston Matthews returned to the team, but it was of no help as the Tampa Bay Lightning won, and it looks like Toronto is going to become a seller at the trade deadline.

Philly Hockey Now: Woof. Dan Vladar turned in a gem, but the Philly Flyers are sinking. Their playoff hopes are all but gone after another loss. Will James breaks down the Philadelphia Flyers.

Detroit Hockey Now: One of my favorite social media videos was Dylan Larkin and the Team USA boys hoisting Mike Eruzione on their shoulders with beer splashing and music blaring from a cheap boombox. Fortunately, the Detroit Red Wings star told the rest of the story.

Florida Hockey Now: Athletes are special people. The demands on their time and what it takes to be a professional athlete are not small asks. Sasha Barkov just dropped a big donation on his favorite charity and inspiration, The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Tags: nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby

Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors