- Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is looking for a top-six winger. The Penguins only have one pick in the first four rounds of the draft. Acquiring more draft picks may happen on day two of the draft.
“It’ll probably depend more on how the draft ,” he said. “If we get to a certain point in the draft and there’s a player who’s still sitting there who we’re surprised is still there, we could possibly look at a move at that point.”
Other teams are also looking for a top-six winger, so it will be a sellers market.
“It’s a pretty competitive market right now,” Rutherford said.
The Penguins are believed to at least kicked tires on Phil Kessel. Kessel’s salary could make it difficult for the Penguins, unless the Leafs retained salary. Would the Penguins have the assets to acquire him?
Trade talk should pick up as GM convene on Las Vegas for the Awards show.
“I would think that the next couple of days, with the amount of talk around the league, league-wide, you’ll probably see the start of some movement,” Rutherford said.
Unlikely that Mike Reilly signs with the Penguins.
- Jonathan Bombulie of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Penguins 2014 first round draft pick Kasperi Kapanen hopes to be with the Penguins next year.
“People throw my name around. That’s acceptable,” Kapanen said. “I know they want me to play over there. I want to play over there too. I’m trying to be there next year. If it’s meant to be, then I will be.”
Oskar Sundqvist is close to being NHL ready. Scott Wilson and Bryan Rust could bring some speed to their bottom-six. Rutherford will look at veteran bottom-six forwards that could make the NHL, but also play in the AHL if a prospect beats them out.
“That’s what I’m trying to be careful with,” Rutherford said, “that we leave a couple (roster spots) open, that (prospects) have a legitimate chance, that there’s a spot there for them and they’re not fighting against a guy with a one-way (contract).”
- Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: GM Rutherford will be looking for a regular winger for Evgeni Malkin, and is open to the idea of that winger being Russian. Money saved by not re-signing free agent defensemen Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff will be spent on finding goal scorers.