Penguins/NHL
SOURCES: PENGUINS INTERESTED IN LEOPOLD
Scratch the theory of Ottawa Senator defenseman Sergei Gonchar being at the top of the Penguins radar.
The defenseman at the top of the Penguins wishlist is Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold, NHL sources said over the weekend.
Leopold, 32, an impending free agent, is among a very small shortlist of defensemen on the Penguins radar as the season is underway.
GM Ray Shero has an open mind regarding his blueline as the team has opened the year carrying eight defenseman, but indications are Shero is still determined to upgrade his top-6. Leopold is a name who was discussed in the summer as a potential target and D-partner for Kris Letang, sources said.
It has Leopold who had a short stint with the team in 2010 being of strong interest again this year but will Leopold become available?
The Sabres are off to a 2-0 start and Leopold leads the team in ice time, averaging 22:46 per game. Last season he led the team in blocks but the Sabres were getting calls on Leopold last week during training camp as the Sabres had a log jam on the blueline.
The Penguins have Dustin Jeffrey, Ben Lovejoy and Robert Bortuzzo in play during trade talks.
