DePaoli's latest: Pens gauging market for long-term fits?

-- The Penguins on Thursday were not closing in on any potential deals, according to team contacts. An Internet report surfaced Thursday night that the Penguins and Minnesota Wild were close to a deal.

The Penguins are not believed to be involved in trade discussions with the Wild at this time. Activity though has picked up for the Penguins who are for certain to add before the February 28th deadline.

-- All signs still point to the Penguins in the end adding rental players at the deadline, but GM Ray Shero is said to be at least gauging the market for potential available players with term left on their contract that could be fits long-term with the Penguins.

Some inside the organization see the available cap space this season due to Malkin's injury as an opportunity to add a need beyond this season.

I would like to caution that the the inquiries I'm told are just preliminary at this point but the Penguins are regarded to have pinpointed at least two targets.