Penguins/NHL
Latest Penguins Rumblings
— Penguins Defenseman Trevor Daley will be a Detroit Red Wing Saturday afternoon when the clock strikes 12:01 p.m. The Daley camp cut off talks Friday with other finalists and informed those clubs he will be signing with the Red Wings.
As mentioned here the last couple days, he was going to get a 3-4 year deal and the deal with Detroit is at least three years and some chatter it could be a four year deal in the $12.5-$13.5 million range.
— There’s considerable interest in Chris Kunitz but hearing the Kunitz camp is not 100% certain what type of offers are actually going to be coming in until they do. The expectation is Kunitz will have multiple two year offers in the $2.75-$3.25 million per range but Kunitz doesn’t have a deal lined up yet.
A lot of teams chasing him are also chasing Patrick Marleau who is a higher priority for those clubs. Chicago is likely out of the mix for Kunitz with Patric Sharp going there.
Toronto is interested but won’t make a move until a decision is made from Marleau.
League sources say Dallas, Calgary are two intriguing teams hot after Kunitz with failed attempts from Dallas to sign Justin Williams and Calgary missing out on Sharp.
Minnesota’s trade today with Buffalo doesn’t make Minnesota a likely landing spot for Kunitz now, a source says.
— The Penguins believe Matt Cullen is strongly weighing the possibility again of signing with the Minnesota Wild and that it’s Minnesota or retirement for Cullen. Pittsburgh, though, also felt Cullen was signing with Minnesota last July 1 and that didn’t play out so we’ll see where that goes again.
— The speculation might have been fun for fans and pundits but the Penguins had zero contact with Joe Thornton’s camp during the interview period, a source confirmed today. The Penguins did have contact with free agent centers Martin Hanzal, Brian Boyle and Sam Gagner early in the week, but by Tuesday the Penguins crossed all three off their list as potential targets. Boyle has offers pending in the 3-4 year range, Gagner has a three year deal lined up with the Canucks and Hanzal is seeking a five year deal.
— The two sides are not their yet but some small movement To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Pittsburgh believes they have a deal lined up with To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Pittsburgh has expressed interest in defenseman Ma[hide]tt Hunwick, a league source says. He doesn’t put up points but is a puck moving defenseman with good skating ability who can log minutes. They’ve liked him for a few years now. Hear he’s eyeing a 2 year deal.
Meanwhile, two right handed defensemen out there the Penguins pursued hard in the past via trade:
Cody Franson who the Penguins offered Simon Despres for in 2015 and Roman Polak who they pursued at the 16 deadline. Management, though, pursues a puck mover.
Another righty with ties to Rutherford is Ryan Murphy who was bought out Friday.
— Michael Del Zotto has two multi year offers, believed to be 2 years on the table. One from a Western Conference team he is leaning towards and one from an Eastern Conference team. Pittsburgh is not that team but have maintained contact, per a source. Looking like a long-shot, though, with players like Del Zotto, pending deals during the UFA interview period sometimes fall apart.
— Darren Dreger reported today the Blue Jackets and Predators have offers on the table for Matt Duchene. Chatter among league execs is if something goes down Saturday, it will likely be Columbus who are going all-in to try to win a Cup in the next two seasons.
The Penguins are on the outside but are still monitoring the Duchene situation. Increasing talk continued Friday that the Penguins are more focused on 1-2 other trade scenarios for a cheaper third line center option who won’t come cheap in cost but not to the extent of Duchene or have a $6 million cap hit.[/hide]
One trade scenario for the Penguins that could go down tomorrow with an Eastern Conference team is predicated To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Pittsburgh’s best offer to Nick Bonino?
Hearing it was 3 years To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Related posts:
Latest Penguins Buzz: Malkin at wing or center impacts several players on depth chart
Trade Deadline Buzz: Uncertainty of 87 has Pens looking hard at depth center options; Stewart/Kennedy viewed as a possible match & more tidbits
Free Agency Outlook & Chatter: Penguins focus in this market should be on finding value for depth forwards
Latest Chatter on the Penguins Center Trade List
