On the Pittsburgh Penguins …
Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Post-Tribune: (posted before last night’s loss to Vegas) The Penguins went 2-3-0 on their recent homestand, and GM Jim Rutherford admitted that a trade or trades might be needed to shake things up if they don’t turn things around soon.
“If I have to change it up, it will be very difficult,” Rutherford said. “With as many returning guys that won Stanley Cups, it could be guys you’re forever indebted to as part of that accomplishment.
“Anyway, it doesn’t have to get to that. This is a good team. I’m not saying it’s going to happen. I’m just saying it’s getting closer to that period where that could be considered.”
Rutherford added that he wouldn’t make a trade just for the sake of making a trade, would be a for a better chance of winning.
Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: GM Rutherford said they are sliding in the wrong direction and are getting close to a critical time.
“We’re coming in to a critical period where we’ll make a decision whether we need to shake things up or not,” Rutherford told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday while watching his team practice at T-Mobile Arena.
Rutherford wouldn’t say which players are untouchable.
The Penguins could look for some depth down the middle. Riley Sheahan, acquired from the Red Wings earlier this season, hasn’t proved the offense they’ve had in the past on their third line.
“We need more depth at our center ice position, to a point where we can get more production,” Rutherford said. “I’d like to see if we could get more balance, more production out of our forward lines. We’ve got some guys here who are capable of producing more. At this point, it hasn’t happened. That may be the area we look at.”