Pens Points: Deadline Day

Welcome to the NHL Trade Deadline 2017!!! This year’s deadline is scheduled for 3 PM this afternoon after which NHL team will no longer be able to swap players and the rosters will be set (sans call ups) for the rest of the season. Stay tuned for updates as the day goes along and if you’re constantly refreshing Twitter, make sure to keep a look out for fake accounts reporting “trade” news.

What will the Penguins do? Will they answer the Capitals and make a big splash of their own? Will it be a small move to add depth? What happens with Marc-Andre Fleury? All this will be decided tomorrow afternoon so buckle up.

All good things must come to an end and the Pens streak of winning when leading after two periods came crashing down after a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The Pens went into the final period with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin. Unfortunately, the Pens collapsed in the third period, surrendering three goals and losing for the first time since April 2015 when leading after two periods. [Pensburgh]

Good thing for the Pens they’ll have a chance to get the bad taste out of their mouthes tomorrow night in Chicago where they will take on the Blackhawks as a part of “Rivalry Night.” The game will be broadcast nationally on NBCSN. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 PM.

In a somewhat surprising move, the Penguins placed forward Eric Fehr on waiver Tuesday afternoon. If Fehr clears (as expected) it will clear around $1 million in cap room for the Pens. [Trib Live]

The situation between the Pens and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is still cloudy and will likely remain that way as deadline day rolls along. Everyone has an opinion on Fleury and what will happen, but do the Pens need him to win a second straight Stanley Cup championship? [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Regardless of what other teams may do at the trade deadline, Penguins’ general manager Jim Rutherford doesn’t plan deviating from the plan the team has set in place. [Trib Live]

Since becoming head coach over a year ago, Mike Sullivan has transformed the Penguins into the fastest team in the NHL. Winning the Cup last season means teams will try and replicate that style for their own success. It’s not as easy as it looks. [Fan Rag Sports]

When rumors begin to swirl it is only natural for players to get caught up and become distracted. As the deadline approaches, the Pens are trying their best to tune the noise out. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

News and notes from around the NHL...

After missing out on Kevin Shattenkirk (for now), the New York Rangers bolstered their D corps with the acquisition of Brendan Smith for the Detroit Red Wings. [Puck Daddy]

More and more players are beginning to voice concerns about ice conditions around the entire league. Even in Edmonton, where the ice surface is usually rated one of the best in the NHL, players aren’t pleased. [Sports Illustrated]