Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: (mailbag) When Justin Schultz returns from injury, it may not be a surprise if Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford tries to move a defenseman.
Don’t think the Penguins are ready to move on from Derick Brassard just yet.
The Penguins have been happy with the play of defenseman Olli Maatta but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t trade him in the right deal.
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1200 and was asked if the Pittsburgh Penguins were still sold on goaltender Matt Murray. McKenzie says “yes and no” and is sure that teams have called GM Jim Rutherford and asked about him.
Any trades the Penguins make would be about now and not about futures. As long as Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin are around, it will be about winning.
” So that might make it more difficult to do a Matt Murray deal, but not out of the question.
“I think in a perfect world what the Pittsburgh Penguins would like is for Matt Murray to come back healthy from his injury and play at the top of his game, and not have any issues in goal whatsoever.”
Chris Nichols of Nichols on Hockey: Bob McKenzie was on TSN 1200 and was asked about Phil Kessel and if he is available. McKenzie notes that when the Penguins had been struggling, GM Rutherford made it known that Crosby and Malkin are their only untouchables and anyone else could be available for the right price.
“But obviously for a player like Letang or Kessel, the price was going to be significant, and it would not be entered into lightly. And it’s not something they were necessarily desirous of doing, but they were open to it if they got the right offers.
“And I don’t think anything has changed on that front, other than maybe a recognition, just a reinforcement that Phil Kessel is a real good hockey player.”
