On the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ian Cole …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Regarding the Penguins actively shopping defenseman Ian Cole, coach Mike Sullivan says he doesn’t “know where this stuff comes from.” GM Jim Rutherford said he “wouldn’t tell anyone” when asked if he was looking to make a move.
With Matt Murray out week-to-week, the Penguins could be checking out the goalie market.
“Obviously now we’ll keep a closer watch on it,” Rutherford said. “It’s not something I’m trying to do right now.”
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Cole on the situation:
“You just try to do your job while you’re here or as long as you’re here or whatever the case may be,” Cole said. “You just try to go out, work hard in practice and help the team win hockey games.
“You can look at it as an unfortunate situation but one that you can try to take advantage of to get better. Or you can mope around, be miserable and be a distraction for your team, detract from the game that they’re trying to play.
“I think the only professional way to go about it is the former.”
Bob McKenzie: “I am not as convinced as some that PIT trading D Ian Cole is a foregone conclusion. It absolutely could happen – he’s a healthy scratch, on the outs with coach Mike Sullivan – but IMO it’s not guaranteed he gets traded … For starters, PIT will be looking for a healthy return on Cole, likely a quality centre. Not easy to come by. I don’t believe Cole is being scratched “to protect the asset for trade” as much as the coach doesn’t want to play him at a this time … This isn’t first time in PIT Cole has been healthy scratch and on outs with coach. In previous instances, he got back into the lineup. If the right trade isn’t there, I wonder if (getting back into lineup) could happen again .. I don’t believe for a minute PIT is worried about losing Cole, a pending UFA, for nothing in off-season. PIT is in biz to win the Cup, doesn’t worry about UFAs walking (see Kunitz, Bonino, Cullen, Hainsey etc). If he’s traded, that won’t be the reason. The return will be … Anyway, that’s my take, FWIW. Cole absolutely could be traded but it has to be for right offer. Those are easier said than done sometimes. If PIT thinks it’s in its best interest to trade him, they will. If they think it’s in best interest to put him back into lineup, they will.”