On the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ian Cole …
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: The Penguins have made defenseman Ian Cole a healthy scratch for their past three games.
Multiple sources are saying the Penguins are actively trying to trade him.
Cole is in the final year of his deal that carries a salary cap hit of $2.1 million. On his next contract, he could make double that, which is something the Penguins likely can’t afford.
It’s not known if any deal is imminent.
A source is saying several teams are interested in trading for Cole. The reason for wanting to trade him doesn’t have to do with his play, but him being of interest to other teams.
“Certainly is a guy who we think can really help us as far as the type of game we’re trying to play,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Monday morning. “He’s been an invaluable player for our team here for quite a long time. That hasn’t changed.”
The Penguins are likely looking to add scoring depth in a deal involving Cole.
Jason Mackey: Wouldn’t expect the Penguins to trade Cole within the Metropolitan division. That could obviously change but is doubtful.
Elliotte Friedman: Cole agent, Kevin Magnuson, has been given to speak with other teams about a potential deal.
Sam Wener: “Worth noting the #Pens’ best penalty-killing defenseman is a healthy scratch and apparently on the verge of being traded.”
Matt Larkin: “Would Cole for Bozak make sense?”
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The “primary suitors” at the moment for Cole appears to be the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
It’s not known at this time who the Penguins would be interested in from those teams and if they are a centerman or not.
The Penguins have known they wouldn’t be able to re-sign Cole, so they are looking to get some value for him.
The relationship between Cole and head coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t been great.