Dan’s Daily: GMs Discuss LTIR Changes, Mark Friedman as Lord Farquaad

The Pittsburgh Penguins will sooner or later get winger Jason Zucker back in their lineup. Zucker has been skating with the team in a non-contact jersey. On Saturday, he addressed the media and did so in a t-shirt depicting defenseman Mark Friedman as Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Ouch! The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames unintentionally played a 1980s retro game with 14 goals and goalies who will have nightmares. And will the NHL trade rumors surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs push for Marc-Andre Fleury have negative consequences?

Washington Capitals fans also made it rain apples. You have to see this one.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Evgeni Malkin is iffy today because he didn’t practice. Casey DeSmith and Jason Zucker were at practice. Shelly Anderson has the full scoop. Pittsburgh Penguins practice.

Jason Zucker said, “I won’t make excuses,” regarding his subpar numbers and any correlation to his core muscle surgery. He also wore the latest Penguins joke t-shirt: Mark Friedman as Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Jason Zucker speaks.

The Pittsburgh Penguins made Kasper Bjorkqvist an emergency recall on Saturday, too.

Washington Hockey Now; Here you go. The Caps celebrated Nicklas Backstrom’s 1000th point by giving away foam apples. What could go wrong?? Backstrom couldn’t stop laughing about what followed. Washington Capitals news

NHL News & National Hockey Now:

Calgary Hockey Now: The game of the night. The Flames and Oilers turned back the clock and went at it until Calgary won 9-5. Steve Macfarlane’s headline was were pretty good, too. Calgary Flames reaction.

Hockey Night in Canada (Sportsnet): On Monday, the GMs’ meetings begin in Palm Beach. The topic attracting attention: changes to the NHL LTIR rules.

Also from HNIC, the panel discussed the Maple Leafs issues since not only their pursuit of Marc-Andre Fleury became public, but the proposed trade package.

It’s the constant struggle. As a writer, you know the players will hear about your report, but that’s the job. The public wants to know and pays to know whatever you can find out. I always have a sinking feeling when a source hands us a trade “scoop,” even when a GM gives it. Too many Twitter peoples don’t understand talks are just talks and confuse “talks” for “this is most definitely happening. The writer staked his career on it.”

Players hear their name, and over the years, more than a few have admitted being a bit unnerved or rattled by the news. Also, 90% of the time, the trade doesn’t happen.

See also: Rickard Rakell to the Penguins. The only linkage was speculation. And then, in a matter of two hours, GM Ron Hextall went from accepting nothing would happen to interested then to the proud owner of a new-to-you Rakell.

Montreal Hockey Now: It’s official, pending collegiate free agent Jordan Harris signed with the Montreal Canadiens.

Montreal was also interested in Colin White at the NHL trade deadline.

You know, we interviewed a handful of people for Montreal Hockey Now, and Marco D’Amico was a late find and add to the list. He’s laying waste to our expectations and projections.

Boston Hockey Now: The Bruins have charged up the standings and are in third place. The Atlantic is the deepest four-team gaggle I’ve ever seen, including the recent Metro Division playoff battles. They “expect to win every night.” Boston Bruins news.

Metro Division:

Philly: Claude Giroux is stacking points in Florida, and Flyers prospects are doing pretty well in the college hockey Elite 8. Philadelphia Flyers regrets.

NYI: 30 goals. Brock Nelson is having a great year despite the general stinkiness of the New York Islanders season.

Detroit: Our Wings writers tell me that Darren McCarty is still an icon in Detroit–a BIG deal. Bigger than Little Caesar’s new Hot & Ready pizza. Detroit Red Wings coverage.