The Daily is a wild one today. The Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospects are getting settled amidst more praise for their debuts; I finally released the one-on-one interview with Tristan Jarry, as well as the audio file. You’ll hear me push him a few times on some things, and he admitted a few others. I think it’s a pretty good story. Elsewhere in the Daily, several high-profile prospects are signing and could make their NHL debut very soon. The playoff odds are swirling nightly, but the Montreal Canadiens are inching ahead, and the NHL signed a new massive TV deal in Canada worth double their last deal.
OK, I don’t know how to begin this next blurb.
As I rolled through the locker room and had a few conversations on Monday, a player appreciated the story I did on Tristan Jarry. He read it before practice and wanted to tell me a completely new story. “Sit down for this one,” he said. The player, who would have also been involved in the league-changing deal at the deadline, told me to double-check all of the facts, which I did. I spent the afternoon on the phone with agents and every source I’ve ever had.
The extraordinary story begins with Sidney Crosby and the LA Kings.
Despite Crosby’s vehement insistence that he would remain a Penguin, LA came to the table with a whopper of a trade offer. Two very good young players (I believe Quinton Byfield to be one of them) and two first-round picks. From what I can gather, LA general manager Rob Blake feels like they need to “wow” the fanbase and wanted a Gretzky sequel.
The trade package was good enough that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas called Crosby with the offer. Doug Wilson, the organization’s rep on the Vegas trip near the trade deadline, spoke to him in person to ask if he would accept the deal. That was the only time this season I’ve seen Wilson lingering outside the room, and now we know why. LA was also willing to accept Kris Letang if Crosby agreed.
Wait, it gets crazier. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman phoned Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, and offered a PR/advertising campaign, apparently building on the Gretzky sequel idea. Crosby mulled it over for an afternoon before deciding that he would remain with the Penguins.
Also, APRIL FOOLS!
None of the above is true. Feel free to send this along to some friends for a laugh. To the hockey…
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The practice report. The rookies weren’t shuffled around the lineup; they stayed with the top six. Here are the injuries, the lines, and everything else from thePenguins’practice.
Dave Molinari opines that the team invested well in defenseman Matt Grzelcyk.
And the big story that I sat on for a bit. I was quite appreciative of the player and the team for allowing the interview. Tristan Jarry doesn’t do one-on-ones very often, and in fact, I can’t recall one. It was a rough week. It’s been a rough season, and he knew I was going to poke and prod about those issues, but he agreed anyway. I’ve also published the raw audio, and you can hear me circle back a couple of times when he gave me a stock answer. Dan can do old-school journalism, too. The personal side, the excitement of a second chance, and his new mindset- Inside the Tristan Jarry comeback.
NHL Rumors, News, & National Hockey Now
Montreal Hockey Now: And down the stretch they come! The Eastern Conference playoff battle is amongst a few teams, but the New York Rangers can’t keep it together, so the playoff odds are swirling, and young Montreal Canadiens are climbing.
Philly Hockey Now: The floodgates have opened since the team canned John Tortorella. Cam York is a new player, the goaltending is better, and the team is playing some pretty good hockey. Our young Will James is also really growing as the season progresses. Here are three thoughts on the new-look Philadelphia Flyers.
San Jose Hockey Now: I don’t know if you’ve heard about this, but the New York Rangers bus apparently hit Macklin Celebrini’s parked car on its way out of the arena following a blowout win. The team declined comment, but Sheng Peng is all over the story. Here are the eyewitnesses’ accounts and what happened to Celebrini’s car.
Sportico: Money, money, MON-EY! Money. The NHL just inked a new 12-year deal with Rogers in Canada for billions. The current conversion rate isn’t so great, but if the Canadian dollar becomes worth a bit more, it will be even better. The deal is worth double the last 12-year contract.
Here we go, the prospects are coming.
Forever Blueshirts: The New York Rangers signed top prospect Gabe Perraault to his entry-level deal.
Sportsnet: The Washington Capitals might get another boost for the playoffs. They signed former eighth overall pick Ryan Leonard to his ELC.
