Penguins/NHL
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Sidney Crosby’s days of winning Art Ross Trophies are over and he might not even lead the Penguins in points again this season, but Crosby’s magnificent play the last three games since returning from injury is why pundits and the fan base shouldn’t overthink things as to who Pittsburgh’s MVP is at the quarter-mark.
It’s No. 87 and it’s not close when you evaluate Crosby’s impact on a game-by-game basis in all areas this season.
Crosby is the Penguins engine and the Penguins suddenly didn’t look so fragile these last three games.
There’s a reason why for that……
— Jake Guentzel’s hat trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night gives him 11 goals and 7 assists in 22 games.
Guentzel is now on pace for 41 goals and 67 points. As illustrated here prior to the season, Guentzel in the 65 point neighborhood would give his camp some pretty strong comps to at least go into talks with the Penguins seeking $[hide]6 million per season. Not saying the Penguins would have the stomach to go that high but a good agent starts as high as he can when you have numbers behind you to back a demand up.
— Jim Rutherford always keeps an eye on big name situations and the William Nylander situation was no different. Around two weeks ago, league sources say Pittsburgh made a reach out to Toronto on what would get Pittsburgh at least to the table in trade talks.
While the Leafs asking price has been so high for Nylander that clubs believe there’s never been a sincere intention to trade him, all expectations are he signs with Toronto by the Saturday 5:00 p.m. deadline, Toronto has still engaged with up to 8 teams on trade scenarios for Nylander in case things went totally south in negotiations or potentially even set the groundwork for a trade in the summer were Nylander to surprisingly not sign and sit out the season.
Though talks have never got past the very preliminary stages, forward To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”! and right handed d-man prosTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Industry buzz is even in the immediate aftermath of the Tanner Pearson – Carl Hagelin trade, the Penguins pushed hard for a trade with the Anaheim Ducks [hide] for RH defenseman Brandon Montour with Olli Maatta + futures (believed to be a first round pick being put in play from Pittsburgh’s end). Anaheim balked but likes Maatta where something else could eventually transpire between the two clubs. Just won’t include Montour is the vibe…..[/hide]
One team out West that really likes Maatta is the To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
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