Penguins/NHL
While the Penguins are trying to downplay the Ian Cole rumors, the Penguins have had trade inquires with a sizeable group of teams and the Ian Cole camp remains in discussions with other clubs to potentially facilitate a deal and a possible extension:
Therefore, the rumors are not going away anytime soon.
Here’s the Latest Industry Chatter on a notable group of teams involved and names Penguins are and would likely seek in a deal:
Colorado Avalanche
A league source says the Ian Cole camp has had had deep talks with the Colorado Avalanche (there’s a strong relationship between the Avs brass and Cole’s agency) in the past 48 hours about Cole and it’s one potential destination that could be a sign and trade scenario for Cole.
Interest from Colorado in trading for Cole and signing him long-term is significant.
However, is there a trade match for Pittsburgh?
Talk in the industry is Pittsburgh strongly covets forward C[hide]olin Wilson in a Cole deal, but for now that overture has been balked at by the Avalanche, league sources say, and it’s unlikely Colorado makes him available for Cole.
Industry chatter is Colorado is much more inclined to trade Carl Sodeberg who has a brutal contract that Pittsburgh shouldn’t touch.
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New Jersey Devils
The Devils are very interested in Cole and like Colorado would be open to an extension, per a source.
There’s been trade discussions……….
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Edmonton Oilers
One NHL source called Edmonton’s interest in Cole as ‘sky high’.
As much as Peter Chiarelli gets criticized for being a terrible GM, he’s not trading Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for Ian Cole.
Would Edmonton part with Ryan Strome or Mark Letestu for Cole?
Some in the industry believe the Oilers are or would entertain a To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Toronto Maple Leafs
Per a league source, two names Pittsburgh has asked about in any trade talks with the Leafs in recent months when it comes to Toronto’s interest in a particular Penguins player:
KaTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Other Teams Out there Getting some play: 
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— Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette reported that Vegas was one of the three teams for Cole. Over the last day there’s been denials that Vegas has any interest but there has been some rumblings that Pittsburgh has talked to Vegas separately about trading for a depth d-man. Not sure if that’s where the Vegas stuff is coming from.
— Boston had interest in Cole during the summer and I believe Pittsburgh would jump at a Ryan Spooner – Cole swap right now, but little chatter about Boston at this conjecture.
— Montreal is desperate for D, and there’s been a wide range of trade talks between the Penguins and Canadiens about various forwards. Pittsburgh has talked Alex Galchenyuk and the organization loves Phillip Danault as reported here last June.
— Former Penguins assistant GM Jason Botterill is high on Cole and Buffalo is another team desperate for D and looking to change their room. For Buffalo, though, a team going nowhere that in a few months is going to sell off Evander Kane for picks and prospects, adding Cole only makes sense if an extension is in place.
And from Pittsburgh’s standpoint, there’s not much there unless Pittsburgh alters their asking price and decides to go for draft picks and prospects.
That’s where this thing could get interesting.
It remains to be seen if Cole can net the Penguins an impact forward and if the Penguins come to the conclusion he can’t, some insiders believe they won’t, then do they consider other alternatives such as going the draft pick route (2nd round pick), prospect route (ideally young defenseman) to bolster farm system and then flip the second rounder at the deadline for a forward?
Either way, Cole is saying all the rights things but in a contract year he’s not content being a seventh defenseman which is what the coaching staff has told management they view Cole right now.
This is why the Cole camp has permission to seek a trade and are aggressively trying to find the Penguins a deal they would agree to.[/hide]
