Dan's Daily: Big Trade Bait; Canada Wows; Penguins Call-Back
The Core Issue: Can the Penguins' Current Squad Match the Early Success of Sidney Crosby's Team?
The Swiss held Team Canada in check for a while, but no team can hold down that monster. In the NHL rumor mill, the St. Louis Blues have a couple of heavyweight trade chips. And our Vince Comunale took an interesting look at the similarities between this Penguins team and one that sits comfortably in team lore.
But here's where it gets controversial...
While some may argue that the current Penguins squad is a strong contender, others might question whether it can truly match the early success and dominance of Sidney Crosby's initial team. Vince's analysis highlights several key similarities, but is it enough to bridge the gap between then and now?
I’ll be in Wilkes-Barre by the time most of you read this, and I’ll be grabbing as many conversations as I possibly can. There will be some paywall content, after all, it’s neither terribly fun nor free to spend a few days in the northeast–I can’t even walk around the mall anymore. I hear all of the stores are gone!
However, I got a couple of emails on Friday that a few of you are still having problems logging in. So, first, clear your cache. That might be the problem for some. I have a hunch on why some remaining accounts are having trouble–and I’ll float a fix past tech today.
If you’re having an issue, let me know so we can get you taken care of. But it sounds like sunshine is ahead.
Pittsburgh Penguins: A Retro Jersey in the Works?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Vince has been a great addition–should have added him years ago. There are some real similarities between this Penguins steam and one from the early years of Sidney Crosby’s career. Vince lays out the Penguins comparison (https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsburgh-penguins-deja-vu-similar-script-two-decades-later-sidney-crosby/).
A new alternate or special retro jersey next season? There’s some evidence that it’s coming, but it might be blue? Here’s what we know about a potential special Penguins hometown remix jersey (https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/pittsburgh-penguins-retro-alternate-jersey-blue-2026-27/).
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic ($): Will Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulski swing for the fences again and go for Robert Thomas? There is some chatter that the Hurricanes could go big, once again (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7029884/2026/02/10/nhl-trade-board-matchmaker-thomas-kadri-hamilton/).
NHLtraderumors.me: OK, it’s not the most serious article, but the rumors site laid out six potential landing spots for skilled winger Jordan Kyrou, and yes, the Penguins made the list (https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2026/02/6-potential-jordan-kyrou-trade.html).
Edmonton Journal: Trade talk in Edmonton. There’s a good disagreement underway. GM Stan Bowman doesn’t think he needs to fortify the defense in a meaningful way, and David Staples writes that’s the way wrong answer (https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-hockey-ops-focused-on-wrong-trade-target-and-guilty-of-wishful-thinking-about-fixing-defence).
TSN: Coach Jon Cooper united a top line that is the best line in hockey since the 1987 Canada Cup when Mario, Wayne, and Dale Hawerchuk were together. Cooper flipped his lines to put Connor McDavid with Nate MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini. Yeehaw, and Canada broke open a tight game for a 5-1 win over the Swiss (https://www.tsn.ca/olympics/article/mcdavid-crosby-score-as-canada-remains-undefeated-with-win-over-switzerland/).
Unfortunately, Swiss player Kevin Fiala suffered an injury and was taken off the ice on a stretcher (https://www.nhl.com/news/topic/olympics/kevin-fiala-taken-from-ice-on-stretcher-in-switzerland-game-against-canada).
Sportsnet: Upset? Finland beat Sweden. Now the second tier of the tournament is a jumbled mess (https://www.sportsnet.ca/olympic-men-hockey/article/finland-beats-sweden-in-olympic-mens-hockey-action/).
Toronto Hockey Now: Dave Littman compiles some external reports–it seems Toronto is reopening the door to acquiring Dougie Hamilton. That would be a hefty Maple Leafs trade (https://sportsnaut.com/nhl/maple-leafs-projected-to-land-dougie-hamilton-under-one-condition), wouldn’t it?
What do you think?
Do you agree with the analysis presented here? Or do you have a different perspective on the Penguins' chances of matching the early success of Sidney Crosby's team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
