Dan’s Daily: Nikishin Takes Lowball; Trade Talk; Penguins Grow

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectIt became the definition of buckling. After publicly talking about big-money and trade demands, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin swallowed the paltry offer Carolina wanted. In the NHL trade chatter, the LA Kings are shopping for an impact forward, while there are again questions about whether the Columbus Blue Jackets will be able to keep Zach Werenski. And the Pittsburgh Penguins are growing. The Penguins also had their Halloween family skate and trick-or-treating Sunday. It was nice to see guys who are usually intense or dialed into hockey absolutely doting on their kids. Before we get to the rest of the Daily, I’d like to thank you all very much for the support and the personal investments in this ride. You guys spoil me, from lunch in Denver to our valued readers in South Carolina, Will and Karen, sending me another thoughtful care package that included a great sweater and a future dinner on the road (it will be used well in California!). I want you all to know your support is why I keep working as hard as I do, why the alarm goes off seven days a week at 6 or 6:30 a.m., even the morning after games. And it’s why I keep pushing, where I can, for better.Just be careful. You don’t want me getting an even bigger head. But thank you, all!Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh Hockey Now: A few more dressing room conversations about the undercurrent of growth. What Ville Koivunen thinks of his current status and Arturs Silovs analyzing what he has tried to improve. Some surprising answers in the Penguins locker room.Then we got to practice. One injured player was a full participant, and one new “reporter” had a bombshell question that coach Dan Muse called the best question of the year. Here’s Penguins practice.Steelers Now: The Steelers squeaked out a 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints. It felt like it should have been far more lopsided, but the Steelers offense was only great between the 30s. Here are the Dudes and Duds of the Steelers’ win in Paris.OK, enough with the cutesy games and, yes I’m an old man yelling at clouds, but the Steelers game should be at 1 p.m. Sunday. Every Sunday. Pitt football should be at noon on Saturday. Every Saturday. I’m tired of asking Siri what time the game is on. What channel. What streaming sevice. Or what country. NHL Trade Talk, News, & NHNThe Hurricanes broke their own news, but everyone did a double take when they saw the money. Alexander Nikishin signed for $3 million?! According to PuckPedia.com, there isn’t a no-trade or no-movement clause in the deal, so he could be dealt anywhere. The #Canes and defenseman Alexander Nikishin have agreed to a one-year, $3M contract.He set the franchise record for goals by a first-year defenseman last season and was named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team. pic.twitter.com/j9qk7NZolW— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) October 25, 2026That’s called buckling. I suppose credit to him; you never get a lost year back, and you don’t increase your value at home. But that’s a huge gap from the $8 million or $9 million he wanted. NHLtraderumore.me: The LA Kings are shopping. Reportedly, GM Ken Holland is looking for an impact forward to boost his Kings’ lineup.*Ahem.The Washington Capitals claimed a name you know off waivers. Washington snagged Jack St. Ivany off waivers after Winnipeg cleared space following the Connor Hellebuyck trade. Jack is an NHL defenseman; he needs to remember that and keep clearing the net as he did in Wilkes-Barre, where I watched him act like a bouncer one night and actually toss players from the crease. Sportsnet: Coach Rick Bowness has been kicking his team for a lack of heart. Kirill Marchenko demanded out, and when he came back to town, the team laid down in a 6-2 loss. There are again questions–will Columbus be able to keep Zach Werenkski?Columbus is a great city and has a great arena district. Ohio is a good tax state (not a no-tax state), yet that franchise has been second tier for its entire existence. No team has had more top-10 picks fail. No team has endured more tragedy. The closest anyone came to transforming the org was John Tortorella’s tenure. And the latest 32 Thoughts pod included a sit-down interview with Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff about the Hellebucyk situation and trade.TSN: Quinn Hughes, as expected, received a showering of boos and anger when he played his first game back in Vancouver. And then he scored, too.Man, just sign in Minnesota. You’ll appreciate the Stanley Cup far more than the photos of three brothers. Yahoo: Oh boy. The Seattle Kraken might need to find some help after they lost all-time leading scorer Jared McCann for months due to serious injury.NHL.com: Buffalo should be much better than they have been this season. The Sabres are struggling to put it all together, at least for 60 minutes. What gives in Buffalo?Related HeadlinesPenguins Practice: Injury Updates, Brazeau Closer, and a Candy QuestionPenguins Notebook: Silovs Different, Koivunen ProgressDan’s Daily: Eyes on Hughes; Capitals Seek Trade; Penguins ComebackRead more at Pittsburgh Hockey Now