The Latest Pens trade rumblings

Penguins exploring options

Word out of the organization is that the Penguins don't want to tie up their cap situation leading up to the draft as the team wants to keep their options open.

Nothing appears imminent but the Penguins are currently involved in preliminary discussions with a few teams on the trade front.

*Team sources say the Penguins are not a legitimate suitor in the Nathan Horton sweepstakes. Horton is expected to be moved this week as his no trade clause goes into effect on July 1, 2010. The Panthers have been actively engaged in talks with a number of teams, including the Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. It's believed that 5-to-6 teams are in the mix.

*Teams asking about Alex Goligoski have been told he's currently not available, a league executive told Inside Pittsburgh Sports. For the Penguins to even consider moving Goligoski, Sergei Gonchar would have to be re-signed and it would have to be a deal that brings back a long-term impact winger.

*A team source says it has been internally mulled about making a play to acquire the rights to veteran winger Ray Whitney. There is believed to have been preliminary discussions between Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford and Pens GM Ray Shero in the past couple days. A deal though is not believed to be imminent as neither side have moved forward on it.