Latest Penguins Trade Buzz

In the immediate aftermath of acquiring Jared McCann, Nick Blugstad, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford had said the Penguins shouldn’t have to go out and acquire another forward. That should be true if the Tanner Pearson trade was working out, but it’s not, and there remains a strong interest in the organization of landing an impact winger ahead of the deadline.

Prior to the additions of McCann/Blugstad, Pittsburgh was in hot pursuit of Michael Ferland and came very close to acquiring him right before Carolina decided to pull back on talks and then Pittsburgh quickly went forward with Florida the next day.

There would be interest from Pittsburgh’s end in re-igniting talks to plug Ferland on Evgeni Malkin’s left wing, but that ship has now sailed. With Carolina trailing the Penguins by one point in the standings, if Ferland moves at all it won’t be to Pittsburgh.

— Always big game hunting, Rutherford, as expected, looked into [hide] Matt Duchene with belief among rival executives that Pittsburgh showed a willingness to build a trade package around the injured Olli Maatta.

Ottawa has great background of the Penguins system from the Brassard trade and it doesn’t sound like Pittsburgh has enough futures to offer to be looked at by Ottawa as serious contender for Duchene. The Senators are getting far along with 2-3 teams, Columbus and Nashville among the group. Duchene is going to be moved any day now.

Another one in the highly unlikely category:

Philadelphia’s Wayne Simmonds.

With the market not so hot for Simmonds as multiple teams feel he has shown signs of physically wearing down, [/hide] Pittsburgh has checked in on Simmonds, To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Similar to the impression Derick Brassard made on Penguins management during a game last February in Pittsburgh where Brassard had a great game vs the Penguins and while Brassard was on Pittsburgh’s radar for a few months before that game, Rutherford became enamored with acquiring Brassard after that game. Zuccarello has been someone Pittsburgh has had their eye on (off-and-on) since early November and indications are Pittsburgh has been an aggressive suitor in recent days.

The Penguins feel Zuccarello would seamlessly fit with Crosby or Malkin, who has been receiving high grades from scouts for the past couple weeks that is also driving his stock.

The market has become so strong for Zuccarello from contenders that the return is trending towards a second round pick and a high-level prospect, multiple NHL sources say.

The problem for Pittsburgh:

1. They don’t have second round pick in the next two drafts and the Rangers have been coveting a high-caliber prospect like CaTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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