Shero Media Session Notes
— The Pittsburgh Penguins were very active in trade talks today but in the end, the asking prices never came down to the Penguins liking.
“We talked to a lot of teams today, ” Shero said. “Prices were somewhat high, ” Shero later said.
A couple of things came our way over the last day or two to bring a guy into our locker room that we weren’t sure of, ” Shero said.

As expected, Shero indicated that the Penguins were not looking to move players from their current roster. “We’re happy with our team, ” Shero said.
Pittsburgh did not have a third round pick to move as trade bait and had little interest in moving their 2nd round pick, while their 1st round selection was off-limits.
Not having a third round pick hindered the Penguins ability to add today.
— Shero anticipates Dustin Jeffrey being with the big club for the rest of the season. “We anticipate Dustin Jeffrey being with us the rest of the season, ” Shero said. Jeffrey will be recalled tomorrow.
With Sidney Crosby likely done for the season, the Penguins will move forward with Jordan Staal, Mark Letestu and Dustin Jeffrey down the middle 1-through-3.
Shero calls it a great opportunity for Letestu and Jeffrey as both will play prominent roles from here on out. Letestu figures to get the first shot as the second line center and could see time with Alexei Kovalev Wednesday night.
— The Penguins explored the market for a third line center. They looked hard at Marty Reasoner who did not get moved and were in talks with the New Jersey Devils about Jason Arnott but talks broke off just past 2:00 p.m., sources indicate, due to the Devils asking price.
Arnott was dealt to Washington for David Steckel and a second round pick. A price Pittsburgh wasn’t going to come close to.
— Of the newcomers Shero has added in the past week, he had high praise for defenseman Matt Niskanen who appears to be fitting in well into Dan Bylsma’s system.
Shero also had praise for Alexei Kovalev saying that Kovalev has added something to the team that the Penguins previously lacked, most notably in the skill department.
— There was a lot of chatter from the 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. hour that the Penguins might have been up to something big but it doesn’t sound like a “big deal” feel through.
— At the end of his press conference, Shero made a point to say Eric Tangradi was not offered in any deals. Word around the league is that he’s been in play this winter.
— Shero had little to say about the moves Washington made today.