Eaton hopes to impress over next few days and sign with Penguins to add depth

EATON CONFIRMS INTEREST FROM BOTH SIDES

Defenseman Mark Eaton confirmed after the morning skate that there is “interest from both sides” and that he hopes to sign with the Penguins.

“Interest from both sides,” Eaton said. “Skating with the team, hopefully can impress and end up here.”

“Mark is a veteran player that we know,” head coach Dan Bylsma said. “He has been in Wilkes Barre for last three weeks and a half, played six games. Just skating and practicing with us over next few days.”

Eaton says at this point he’s open to being a seventh or eighth defenseman.

“In 09 (Cup winning season) we had 8 or 9 NHL defensemen,” Eaton said. “Can never have too many defensemen. At this point in my career not worrying about ice time.”

“It’s easy to come here,” Eaton said. “Know coaches and teammates.”

“I think my first partner ever,” defenseman Kris Letang said. “Fun to see him around.”

The sense from Eaton’s camp is that he’s only interested in playing in the NHL which led to him being released from his PTO. If the Penguins decide to sign him, moves will be coming. The Penguins had been against carrying 8 defenseman long-term this season.

Simon Despres is the only defenseman not eligible for waivers.

After the morning skate drills, Bylsma was working with Eaton on the side for a good 10 minutes.