Penguins/NHL
PENS RESPONSE ON STAAL
Trade talks are already underway league wide and to no surprise General Managers are phoning Penguins GM Ray Shero.
Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com reports “teams have begun to call the Penguins about Staal.”
Sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com that as many as four to five teams have already made inquiries in the past seven to ten days and the response from Shero to possibly interested teams for now is that he’s not available.
Those around the league can’t imagine Shero would pull the trigger on a deal at the draft in Pittsburgh or before July 1.
However, the sense from those close to the organization is that Shero will be keeping his options open with Staal and things could change once the Penguins wrapup their professional scouting meetings next week when the Penguins have a final direction on their off-season plans.
Chatter around the league is that despite Staal being one year away from free agency, the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and possibly Chicago Blackhawks will be among the top contenders for Staal if Shero puts Staal on the market.
