On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: It is possible that the Penguins have a quiet trade deadline. It’s possible that they don’t add a third-line center and just look to add a fourth-line center.
If a team offers the Penguins a No. 2 center a reasonable/cheap price, they’d talk about it.
has become more convinced that the Penguins will acquire Matt Cullen before the trade deadline, giving them flexibility at center and on the wing.
GM Jim Rutherford on if other teams don’t want to trade with the Penguins because they’ve won the past two Stanley Cups.
“We’ve made as many trades as anybody else to this point in the season,” Rutherford said. “There just hasn’t been a lot of trades made. Everybody’s competitive. Everybody wants their own team to win.
“Nobody that we compete with is cheering for us, but the general managers I talk to talk to me the same way. They’re very cordial and very professional. I don’t sense that.”
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hocke Now: (from the weekend) The Kings have been scouting the Penguins for the past two weeks, with multiple scouts at times. The Penguins scouted the Kings AHL team on Friday according to MayorsManor.com.
Speculating at who the Penguins could be looking at from the Kings organization.
Brent Sutter – a inexpensive, experience depth centerman.
Jordan Subban – struggles defensively at times but has some offensive upside. Maybe Sergei Gonchar could help him reach his potential.
Oscar Fantenberg – If the Kings are looking Ian Cole or Conor Sheary, the Penguins could target Fantenberg. A deep blue line may be keeping Fantenberg out of the Kings lineup.
Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins have scouted Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens recently. Both teams have left wingers that would be an upgrade over Dominik Simon, who is playing on the top line.
The Sabres have pending UFA Evander Kane, with a potential acquiring cost of a first-round pick, a prospect, and a conditional pick.
The Canadiens have Max Pacioretty, and he could cost as much as four pieces. He does carry a friendly $4.5 million salary cap hit through next season.
The New York Rangers have Rick Nash and Michael Grabner up for grabs. The asking price for Nash is high, to go along with his big salary cap hit.
The LA Kings and Winnipeg Jets stopped scouting the Penguins once Conor Sheary was injured.