Penguins/NHL
MORNING PENGUINS BUZZ
- Word on Paul Bissonnette I gathered last night. The Penguins had a discussion with his camp in mid July, little since. “Not happening”, per a source. Bissonnette is close to signing with an Eastern Conference team and no indication it’s the Penguins at this point.
- Jim Rutherford looking go back in time? Not really but I’m hearing a member of the front office with the Penguins reached out to 42 year old winger Ray Whitney on his level of interest in continue playing, an NHL source said. Feedback to the Penguins is Whitney is only interested in staying in the West due to his family still living in Phoenix. Whitney is considering retirement.
- The Penguins do a lot of scouting in the Boston area and no surprise the team is considering making a pitch for Chicago Blackhawks 2010 first round pick Kevin Hayes who will become a free agent this week. Hayes has excellent size at 6-3, 205 and scored 27 goals and 65 points for Boston College, netting 19 even strength goals. Penguins scouts had him high on their draft board with consideration when the Penguins took Beau Bennett with the No.20 pick. Hayes is related to assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald. Florida is considered a strong favorite for Hayes, along with the Flames and Predators. He’s looking for a team where he has a chance to play right away, why he’s leaving the Blackhawks organization. The Penguins, though, will make a pitch, but are very unlikely to sign him.
