Things can accelerate rather quickly, but on Friday the Penguins were said to not be closing in on any deals as trade action throughout the NHL has been rampant this week.
As of this afternoon, there also hasn’t been much buzz yet on the Penguins but here’s the latest surrounding the team.

*There is a lot of chatter centering around the Penguins and Florida Panthers as the Penguins continue to scout the Panthers heavily of late.
Pittsburgh had scouts in attendance last night in Detroit for Redwings – Panthers, which marks the third straight game the Penguins have been scouting Florida and the 4th time in Florida’s last 5 games.
Penguin scouts have been doing their due diligence on 27 year old winger Chris Higgins and the Penguins have an interest in Stephen Weiss.
The asking price for Weiss remains very high but GM Dale Tallon is enamored with rebuilding through the draft and with prospects, and the sense around the league is that a team can entice Tallon to move Weiss without having to give up any impact players off their current roster.
There is a lot of intrigue centering around Weiss who the Penguins believe can be an impact player at center or wing. For now though, Weiss is still considered unlikely to be moved due to Florida’s asking price but as were seeing this trade deadline, nothing is for certain.
37 year old Panthers winger Cory Stillman is also drawing trade interest around the league.
*The Penguins have yet to talk with the Oilers about Ales Hemsky, sources indicate.
That puts doubts into the Penguins reportedly looking at Brad Boyes. Even though the asking prices from the respective teams are much different, if the Penguins were looking at $4 million a year player, they would first at least look into the big guns available who have similar salaries.
Ryan Risaugh, TSN’s Edmonton Bureau reporter, is reporting the Oilers have been in talks with the Washington Capitals and the Los Angeles Kings about Hemsky. Los Angeles is considered the favorite to land Hemsky.

Pens Injury News

*Winger Nick Johnson did not make the trip to Chicago and will not play tomorrow afternoon. Pittsburgh will announce a callup this evening.