On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Matt Gajtka of DK Pittsburgh Sports: An industry source has said that Penguins defenseman Kris Letang is “definitely” available, furthering Nick Kypreos and Elliotte Friedman’s report over the weekend.
GM Jim Rutherford said earlier this month that he wasn’t shopping any of his core players.
The Penguins might have to take back some salary. They could use some depth at center, but if you move Letang, it would also create a hole on the blueline.
Chris Nichols of Fan Rag Sports: Elliotte Friedman was on 630 CHED talking about Kris Letang’s potential availability.
“I think Nick is 100 percent right,” noted Friedman. “I think that Letang is a name that Pittsburgh has kind of tested the water on to see what, if anything, other teams would be willing to do. He’s had a really rough year to start the year. He doesn’t hasn’t been himself.”
believes the Penguins are looking to move some salary and Letang has four years left at $7.25 million. Letang has had a stroke, a concussion and neck surgery. Some teams have said they are more worried about his health issues over his play this season.
“I think if it was simply a matter of his play, they could make this deal very easily. I’m just not sure how many teams want to look deeper into his health before they make it. That to me is the only question.
“I think Pittsburgh is looking for forwards. I think they’d love it if Letang could get them a couple of impact forwards. But I think it’s just a matter of is anybody scared off by the health issues.”
adds that Penguins GM Jim Rutherford isn’t afraid to make a big deal and he doesn’t like waiting. He may have even considered trading Phil Kessel last offseason.
“I do think during the summer they considered the possibility of Kessel. Kessel has been pretty good for them. But I think if you look at the names that are talked about, it’s Ian Cole – who I thought had a great playoffs, but he’s not a cornerstone player. They traded Archibald. They traded Scott Wilson. They’ve sort of been on the fringe, but they haven’t gone to the core. I think Jim Rutherford has waited.”