Trade Deadline Buzz

— Latest Whispers Surrounding the Penguins —

  • Pressure mounting on management to
  • John Marino Latest
  • Pens have a deal for Pettersson?
  •  Frequent Scouting Reports on Kraken Forward
  • Fleury to waive for Minnesota?

— Ron Hextall’s first move of the morning was acquiring left handed defenseman Nathan Beaulieu from the Winnipeg Jets. The 29 year old is a low impact defenseman who has 4 assists in 24 games. He’s rated among the NHL’s worst defensemen this season from some ends of the spectrum. That said, Penguin coaches, particularly Mike Sullivan have pushed to have around 10 caliber NHL defenseman in the fold for a deep playoff run and there has been a strong preference from the staff to acquire veteran d-man, especially if the Penguins were to move one of their top-7 out.[/hide] That had some speculation that Nick To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Onto some bigger name things percolating around the Penguins…..


— Even with Kris Letang far from a lock to return next season, the Penguins are viewed around the league as seeing John Marino as a better trade asset to them than what they feel he brings the table on the ice in the present and long-term. The organization see’s him as a replaceable player long-term. But, trading him right now has been seen as dicey by many in the organization.

Vancouver tried really hard about two weeks to pull off a deal for Marino. Jim Rutherford doesn’t mess around in negotiations. He believes in both sides getting fair value. Would have been other components, but Pittsburgh To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

The interesting dynamic with Marino is the leaks over the last couple weeks has seen more teams investigate where Pittsburgh’s thinking is on the young blueliner. There’s been talk of Los To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!