NHL Daily: Flyers’ Trades Brewing; Pietrangelo’s Scare at Home

The Flyers are open for business on the trade market. James van Riemsdyk is available. Kevin Hayes might be, too. Among others.

The NHL has a holiday trade freeze from Dec. 20-27; after that, general managers can do their thing up to the March 3 trade deadline.

Meanwhile, Vegas defenseman Alex Pietrangelo returned to the lineup after missing nine games to be by the side of his four-year-old daughter, who is expected to make a full recovery from a scary medical situation.

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Around the NHL and National Hockey Now

Philly Hockey Now: James van Riemsdyk  has been extremely productive (five goals, 11 points in 12 games) before and after missing about six weeks because of finger surgery. The 33-year-old left winger can become an unrestricted free agent this summer, however, and the Flyers are listening to trade offers. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: John Tortorella has gotten praise and criticism for benching Kevin Hayes again. I’m with the latter group. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: Defenseman Emil Andrae, one of the Flyers’  best prospects, is raising eyebrows with his strong play in Sweden. Prospect expert Russ Cohen has an update. Philadelphia Flyers.

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers, who host Columbus on Tuesday, talk about costly lapses in their 6-3 loss to the Rangers. Philadelphia Flyers.

Vegas Hockey Now: The Golden Knights’ Alex Pietrangelo returned to the lineup and explained a scary family situation. He missed nine games because his four-year-old daughter, Evelyn, had the flu that turned into encephalitis. He said that created a brain lesion and she lost all motor skills and functions. Thankfully, she is doing much better and is expected to make a full recovery. “It’s a miracle how much she has come along in the last 48 hours,” he said. Vegas Golden Knights.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Ex-Penguin Jordan Staal scored with 6:27 left, lifting Carolina to a 3-2 win Sunday against visiting Pittsburgh. The loss snapped the Pens’ seven-game winning streak. Carolina is on a 9-0-2 run. Pittsburgh Penguins.

Washington Hockey  Now: Yeah, that was light-scoring defenseman Erik Gustafsson, of all people, who scored a hat trick in the Caps’ last win. The former Flyer said he “blacked out” after his hat trick. Washington Capitals.

Colorado Hockey Now: Adrian Dater, our man in Denver, says the new 84-game proposal is a bad idea. Colorado Avalanche.

Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers have been inconsistent, but new coach Paul Maurice is excited for what lies ahead. Florida Panthers.