NHL:Inquiring teams sense high asking price for Deryk Engelland?

With Kris Letang nearing full health, word began to surface last week that the Penguins are likely to keep Deryk Engelland despite Olli Maatta sticking around. Engelland has been approached about playing forward some and staying around as an 8th defenseman. An NHL source said last week Engelland is willing to do whatever for the team.

The reality of the situation, though, is that it’s hard to imagine Engelland cracking lineup at all when this group is healthy, barring the rare game when the opposition dresses an enforcer.

While Engelland is said to not be available for a late round pick, would the Penguins jump at a 3rd/4th round pick?

I believe they would consider, especially a third rounder.

The speculation surrounding Engelland and the Edmonton Oilers is still out there. Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal speculates whether the Oilers trade of Mike Brown could mean another Edmonton Oilers deal is on the way. Matheson again brings up Deryk Engelland, writing “Oilers would seem to have a bigger need for a third-pairing abrasive type (again, we come back to Deryk Engelland, making $575,000, UFA in July) than a fourth-line scrapper now that they have a little wiggle room with only 48 contracts, not 49.”

The Oilers nabbed a 4th round pick for Brown.

The Penguins following practice re-assigned Chris Conner and Harry Zolnierczyk to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. Matt D’Agostini is expected to play Saturday after coming off LTIR. The lineup at forward for Friday night vs the Islanders is not clear pending the health of Beau Bennett.