The Pittsburgh Penguins have informed other NHL clubs in the past 24 hours they intend to trade defenseman Ian Cole and expect to do so this week, league sources tell TIOPS.

Cole who was made a healthy scratch on Friday and Saturday in what was initially a coaches decision, has made his intentions known to Penguins management through his representation on Sunday that the defenseman in a contract year wants to be [hide] traded, two NHL sources say.

Cole being a healthy scratch over the weekend prompted multiple pre-cursory trade calls and trade talks have intensified over the last 12 hours. [/hide]

In fact, trade talks have reached such serious stages with at least two interested clubs that Cole and his reps are engaged in extension talks To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!