It always seems like a longer drive home than going. Still, we arrived home from Columbus in the wee hours after covering the Pittsburgh Penguins game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and chatting with a few players and coach Dan Muse after the game to confirm and, in a few cases, deny our analysis. We've got the full breakdown of who played well enough and who is running out of time, and the postgame video.
Elsewhere in the Daily, we've got the NHL rumors, including a potential change of heart in Calgary . The Carolina Hurricanes are talking seriously with a pair of the acquitted Team Canada players. And are the New York Rangers a team that will undergo a turnaround or another flatline?
I am so very sorry to report that the White Castle on the way home from Columbus was under renovation and not open, so my late dinner option was a truck stop pepperoni roller and a Five-Hour Energy. I rolled in at 2:45 a.m. and was asleep by 2:47 a.m. Ahhh, I've missed life on the road.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tristan Broz gave me a deeper answer than I expected, and in fact, he veered away from my softball question for a much better discussion. We delivered the breakdowns of who played kind of well as the team battled their B game in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here's the Penguins analysis .
We also did a Penguins Q&A from the UPMC Lemieux Complex before shoving off to Columbus. The early leaders in the battle for the forwards spots and a look at the left side defensemen, as well as surprises, and whether this team will be able to hold leads. It's in the Penguins Q&A .
Steelers Now: Aaron Rodgers wasn't happy with his performance Sunday as the Steelers' offense sputtered like a late '70s Harley on bad gas. The QB is shouldering the blame for the Steelers' offense .
I think a few should be in Canton. Here are the eight Steelers nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame .
Carnell Lake won't make it, but he might have been one of the most underrated Steelers of all time.
Spector's Hockey: From Winnipeg trying to lock down Kyle Connor to Calgary opening the door to re-signing Rasmus Andersson to the numbers on holdout Luke Evangelista , the NHL rumor mill .
Sportsnet: A twofer from up North today. The teams in danger of falling out of the playoffs and the teams, like the New York Rangers, who could take their spots .
And how does Sportsnet view this Penguins team? After all, none of the trades were made–so, can the Penguins surprise ?
TSN: Counting down the top 50 players this season. Ovechkin was 49. Here is 30-21, though no Penguins have yet appeared .
NHLTradeRumors.me: Frank Seravalli reports that the Carolina Hurricanes are closing in on Carter Hart and Michael McLeod as the window soon opens for them to start signing with teams .
I've sensed a lot less pushback regarding those players than I anticipated. Perhaps the judge eviscerating the prosecution was a factor for a lot of people. I suppose we'll see early next week.
New Jersey Hockey Now: Holdouts can be tricky. Everyone admits Luke Hughes is a really good young defenseman, but…if you're not here, the coach is going to talk about your replacements. Such is happening with the New Jersey Devils .
That's all for today. We've got a live chat at 1:05 p.m.
The post Dan's Daily: NHL Rumors; 'Canes Close on 2 Acquitted; Which Penguins Played Well appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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