BOSTON — The train never really got on track. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ attack was all about “I think I can,” but in practice could not. We’ve got the full coverage and analysis from Boston, including pointed comments from coach Dan Muse, who showed poise, but if you watch the postgame video, was clearly seething.

Elsewhere in the Daily, the NHL trade rumors got a jolt when TSN reported the Buffalo Sabres are engaged in trade talks for THE big get, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. Nearly all of the Vancouver Canucks are available this week, but that’s not news. The question is, will someone–anyone–step up and take Elias Pettersson at full boat? The Minnesota Wild spent big and got big in a trade Tuesday night, and there was some on-ice action, too.

Sometimes, I just miss. I can tell by readership numbers that I missed Tuesday night on my coverage angle of the game. I explained what the Penguins didn’t do and my headline was big picture … instead of the anger of the moment? It’s not often the coach’s postgame is watched more often than my postgame. But, trust me, the Report Card includes the anger in the room.

I’ve also got some stuff for the travel day, including Kris Letang’s candid comments (exclusive to PHN) on his pairing with Sam Girard, and Bryan Rust going on a deep dive with me.

I’m racing to get as much of the Daily done as I can before I head to the airport. Fortunately, the heavy snow became rain last night, and I should be able to get out of Boston without issue.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: More injuries for the Penguins, which resulted in some real line shuffling. I’m not sure how serious, because he was on the short trip, but Blake Lizotte is out.

Yeah, I know you don’t want the recap of a loss. The Penguins lost 2-1 to the Boston Bruins, but here is the real breakdown, some inside-the-room reaction, and Dan Muse’s sharp comments in the Penguins report card.

And no, no team claimed Detroit Red Wings defenseman Erik Gustafsson. We reported early in the season that the Penguins made some calls on him, but Detroit didn’t like the soft offer. But the Penguins didn’t bite as he passed through waivers.

Boston Hockey Now: Flip side coverage from Big Jack Studley (I like this kid. He’s got a future in the business). Here’s Studley breaking down the Bruins’ win.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

TSN Insiders: The Buffalo Sabres are getting serious. They’re not just making a playoff run, but GM Jarmo Kekalainen is engaged in talks for Thomas, which would set up Buffalo in the middle for another decade.

Hey, the last time Buffalo got a center from St. Louis, it worked out pretty well. See also: Tage Thompson.

The Montreal Gazette is reporting that Calgary needs Wifi.

I’m hearing Calgary has an interest in #Habs’ defenceman Arber Xhekaj

— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) March 3, 2026

Sportsnet Video: Elliotte Friedman did a TV hit on the sports network. Edmonton is close to moving Andrew Mangiapane to open up the cap space. So, can anyone, will anyone take on Pettersson?

And Nick Kypreos has his NHL Trade Board 5.0 out, with the sought-after names like Vincent Trocheck, Tyler Myers, and some of the guys who will add real value like Justin Faulk. I think this is the most realistic trade board.

NHLtraderumors.me: I hate to link to aggregators at this time of year, but I don’t see any source material from the Donnie and Dhali show in Vancouver. Reports indicate the Islanders and Vancouver are closing in on a deal for Conor Garland.

Florida Hockey Now: You can play the video game midi. Game Over. Is this good news or bad news? With yet another loss, that’s just about it for the playoff hopes of the Florida Panthers.

They will be much better next year with Sasha Barkov back, but I dare say Bill Zito–who did a spectacular job building that team–used emotion to sign a couple of players to unwieldy contracts that are going to bite them, hard.

ESPN: The Nashville Predators traded big, physical center Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild, and Bill Guerin is building for a playoff battle.

Philly Hockey Now: Gee, just a maintenance day? Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen was absent from Philadelphia Flyers practice.

Tags: Buffalo Sabres nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins robert thomas

Categorized:Links NHL Trade Rumors