Grab some coffee because you have some reading today. There are some whoppers in the NHL trade rumors and chatter as the Toronto Maple Leafs are open to trading the first overall pick and the Anaheim Ducks are taking calls on Mason McTavish. Elsewhere in the Daily, Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon dismissed criticism over forbidding Bruce Cassidy to interview elsewhere by blaming Edmonton, Anders Lee and the Islanders are talking but not close, and we delivered a very mixed grade for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ second-line centers.

Greetings as I’m on my way to Wilkes-Barre this morning. I took a couple of detours and lost track of time, so I only made it was far as Williamsport, but I had a great six-hour ride through the mountains without weekenders going slow in front of me. It was pretty glorious. The only downside of the trip was that both mountain restaurants where I stopped to eat (Waterville and Pine Creek), closed their kitchen before 8 p.m., and I had to eat at a terrible chain restaurant.

Mental refresh complete. The view from some back road, and then Rt. 44, the “Water Tank Lookout” at 2400 feet elevation:

Let’s do this hockey…

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: So, collectively, a near perfect grade, but individually, some split decisions. We graded the Penguins’ second-line center Evgeni Malkin, Tommy Novak, and Rickard Rakell. It started with a bang, but ends with a lot of questions about the Penguins lineup.

I will respond to one criticism in the comments (a passionate Tommy Novak defender):

I think the main criticism of the grading rubric is that it changes from player to player.

Simply, there is no possible way for a “rubric” on sports grades. I get this from engineers and linear people who hate the abstract and subjective. The grades are based on play: a variable scale based on expectations, production, and overall play. Also, don’t forget, the publicly available analytics measure what happened, not what didn’t happen or could have happened. A lost battle here, a perimeter shot with no traffic there, look much different on paper, or don’t show up at all.

NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now

The Athletic ($): A big one here. Pierre LeBrun reports that the Toronto Maple Leafs are listening to offers on the first overall pick. John Chayka is diving into the deep end here. The Islanders and Anders Lee are talking, but a deal isn’t yet on the table or possible. Also, teams are calling Anaheim about Mason McTavish, though Anaheim isn’t necessarily shopping him … yet.

I know what you’re thinking. No, the Penguins don’t have the horses for the No. 1 pick. McTavish, let’s see if the Penguins emerge as a suitor. I would say no based on the contract, but maybe the brass think differently.

TSN: Bruce Cassidy was on Spittin’ Chiclets and admitted he was a bit perturbed about not being able to interview in Edmonton or LA. He wants to go to work. Vegas Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon offhandedly dismissed criticism of Vegas’s handling of the situation–by blaming Edmonton for leaking it.

New Jersey Hockey Now: Just because the foreign report was erroneous regarding Simon Nemec asking for a trade doesn’t mean he won’t be traded. James Nichols teed up the five teams that really should call (or have called), about a Devils trade.

Detroit Hockey Now: I suppose I will have to start the draft prep soon (I don’t enjoy it because I’m not there to do it in-person and “highlight” scouting doesn’t cut it). However, our folks in Detroit are looking at centers expected to be available in the second round. Attention Penguins fans–here are potential centers for the Detroit Red Wings (and Penguins).

Sportsnet: Matthew Tkachuk reacted to the Team USA loss to Canada at the Worlds brusquely. He never wants to play in the Worlds again.

Boston Hockey Now: Searching for top-line centers. The Boston Bruins have needed some help at the top for a couple of years. Jack Studley digs in–How aggressive can the Bruins be in their search?

Lastly, the hockey world is coping with the loss of Claude Lemieux, who passed away at 60 years old. Unfortunately, it was another hockey loss that was self inflicted. I was introduced to Claude several years ago when I was chasing a free agent story, and he was a big help. We chatted every blue moon about the players he represented, and I got to tell him how much more I enjoyed him now rather than as a kid growing up as a Penguins fan. I’m sure he heard that often and hopefully enjoyed it. He was the toughest, an agitator, and a big game player.

Like many across hockey, we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Tags: claude lemieux Mason McTavish nhl trade Pittsburgh Penguins toronto maple leafs trade first pick

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