Latest Penguins Buzz

The Los Angeles Kings acquiring Ben Bishop has no effect on the market for Marc Andre Fleury as the Kings were only considering the rental market.

Bishop going to LA, though, did impact the Ryan Miller market who will only waive to five teams, three of team California teams.

The Fleury situation for Pittsburgh will go down to the wire but there’s still questions whether the Penguins will even have one trade option. Teams have kicked tires but no one has taken that next step yet to go all-in and at least make the Penguins an offer.

Lightning GM Steve Yzerman told reporters this morning the Kings were his “only option” to move Bishop.

What the Penguins surprise play for Martin Hanzal means

The interesting development for the Penguins over the last 24 hours is the more information coming out this morning, the Penguins did indeed make a surprising significant run at center Martin Hanzal who was traded to the Minnesota Wild last night.

The Hanzal acquisition for Minnesota was a tremendous one. In a watered down Western Conference, it sets up to be a perfect acquisition and also kept him away from others in the West.

For a team like Montreal, Hanzal was not going to be move the needle enough to put them in the class with Pittsburgh or Washington, but for a top Stanley Cup contender like Minnesota or I’ve thrown out Washington in the past, Hanzal can be that impact move that puts you over the top.

Minnesota was such an ideal landing spot.

As for the Penguins, It’s not clear what the domino effect would have been with the rest of the roster but Pittsburgh’s pursuit of Hanzal has Jim Rutherford living up to this reputation of always being in on the big names.

The Penguins were not just kicking tires, they were one of the three finalists for Hanzal, an NHL source said today

Pittsburgh put their [hide] 2017 1st rounder in play for Hanzal along with an confirmed NHL ready prospect, a sign the Penguins could be in some more things moving forward.

If the Penguins were willing to offer a 1st rounder and more for Martin Hanzal when the Penguins are already one of the deepest teams at center in the NHL, will they venture back into the Kevin Shattenkirk market?

It sure sounds like it.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong after seeing the price paid for Hanzal will surely be looking for the same type of return.

MORE BUZZ

MANNING SUSPENDED TWO GAMES FOR HIT ON GUENTZEL

— Conor Sheary, Kris Letang are practicing this morning.[/hide]

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