Latest Pens Rumblings: Blackhawks approached Penguins in early February about potential deal for Chris Kunitz, Simon Despres
LATEST PENS RUMBLINGS — The Penguins were never that interested in Jaromir Jagr and only looked at him as a last resort type of option, therefore, if they missed out on forward targets one, two, three and four. If the Penguins had been unable to finalize a deal for Daniel Winnik, sources say Pittsburgh planned to circle back on Curtis Glencross and see if they could get creative for Erik Cole in a trade with Dallas. The entire process the Penguins had been eyeing different type of wingers than a Jagr type and that’s why the reality is there was no true “Jagr watch”. It was just driven by people who wanted to see it happen and a message being
Daniel Winnik skating on third line with Sutter, Downie
Daniel Winnik appearing in his first practice with the Penguins today, will make his Penguins debut tomorrow evening vs the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winnik is skating on the third line with Brandon Sutter and Steve Downie. The addition of Winnik has bumped Beau Bennett to the 4th line and possibly to the press box tomorrow night. Winnik has 5 points (2G-3A) and a +6 rating in two games vs Columbus this season. 2014-2015 Stats: 58 GP – 7 Goals – 18 Assists – 25 Points – +15
Florida Panthers trade for Jaromir Jagr
The Florida Panthers have acquired 43 year old winger Jaromir Jagr from the New Jersey Devils. The Panthers give up a 2015 second round pick and a conditional third round pick in 2016 for Jagr. Florida is currently two points out of the final wildcard spot. They will be his eighth NHL team. Last week word was circulating around the league that the Panthers and New York Islanders were among the few teams in the East looking at Jagr. Jagr has 11 goals and 29 points on the season. Since the All-Star break he has 4 points in 14 games.
Penguins – Capitals: What We Learned
The Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 win over the Capitals is being looked at by the Penguins as a very important one. This was a game from a psyche standpoint that the Penguins believed they needed to have. “We definitely owed them a few,” Brandon Sutter said. “Tonight we notched it up,” Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said after the win. “See how we started the game and to our credit, thought Washington ran around quite a bit, tried to get hits and tried to play outside their game.” The key for the Penguins coming into last night’s game wasn’t necessarily going to be the final score but the Penguins being able to get the Capitals out of their element for long
Analysis on the Penguins acquisition of Daniel Winnik
The Penguins trade for Daniel Winnik has been a long-time coming as the Penguins made multiple offers for Winnik since the middle of January and eventually got to the point in the last 24 hours where the rest of field took themselves out of the mix due to the Leafs high demands that the Penguins eventually met. The Maple Leafs do a great job of using the prominent Toronto media in truly putting the price out there on players. TSN’s Darren Dreger last week reported the Leafs wanted a second, third round pick, and the Leafs come close to that in getting a second and fourth round pick from Pittsburgh with Zach Sill nothing more than a throw in due
Penguins acquire Daniel Winnik
After a two month long pursuit, the Pittsburgh Penguins have finalized a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs, acquiring Forward Daniel Winnik. The Penguins give up a 2nd round pick in 2016, 2015 4th round pick and forward Zach Sill. The Leafs are picking up 50% of Winnik’s salary. He is making $1.3 million this season. The Penguins have long sought Winnik to bolster their third line and play with Brandon Sutter and Nick Spaling. Winnik has 7 goals and 25 points on the season.
Steelers restructure Marcus Gilbert’s contract
Marcus Gilbert had his contract restructured, creating $3.724 million in cap space. By turning Gilbert’s $3.5 million roster bonus and $1.15 million of his salary into a signing bonus, therefore, the Steelers pushed the cap hit for down the road and Gilbert gets a lump sum now. HE IS NOT TAKING A PAYCUT. Gilbert signed a six-year, $30.8 million deal in August that included a $7.65 million cap hit. Profootball Focus graded Gilbert as the 10th best tackle in football in 2014. 2014 Stats: 840 Snaps, 7 Sacks allowed, 4 QB Hits Allowed, 23 QB Hurries Allowed
Christian Ehrhoff expected to be cleared to play this week
Christian Ehrhoff Is expected to receive clearance to return to the lineup this week. Penguins head coach Mike Johnston called Ehrhoff a “possibility” to play Wednesday night vs Washington. 2014-2015 Stats: 43 GP – 3 Goals – 10 Assists – 13 Points – +9 – 51.3 CF% (5v5)
Latest Penguins Buzz: Staal, Glencross, Cole, Yandle, Tlusty
TUESDAY’S PENGUINS BUZZ As expected, denials of the Hurricanes moving Jordan Staal came out in full force Monday. “We’re not moving Jordan Staal,” Hurricanes GM Ron Francis told the News and Observer. The Hurricanes reportedly called Staal on Sunday to tell him the trade speculation out of Pittsburgh is unfounded. Ron Francis wants to build around Jordan and from a hockey perspective, Pierre LeBrun also reports that the Hurricanes want to continue to rebuild around brother Eric, with the Canes financial situation being the only wildcard. “There’s no plan at this point within the Hurricanes organization to move either Jordan or his brother Eric Staal. They want to rebuild around them,” LeBrun wrote. From agent Paul Krepelka to Jordan himself,
Penguins in on Joffrey Lupul?
RUTHERFORD INTRIGUED ABOUT LEAFS LUPUL The Penguins and Leafs have had multiple trade discussions over the last month from Cody Franson, Mike Santorelli to Daniel Winnik, who they’ve made multiple offers for and you can add one more name to that mix.