NHL: Source: Penguins gauging Robert Bortuzzo’s trade value?

LATEST PENGUINS RUMORS

In the hunt for a third line type winger, the Penguins had been floating Robert Bortuzzo’s name around to teams last month, two NHL sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports.com

One source says the Penguins never came close to trading Bortuzzo last month but the Penguins have been gauging Bortuzzo’s trade value and he’s a player teams like.

Toughness is coveted leaguewide and Bortuzzo could become a trade asset for the Penguins leading into the March 5th trade deadline. One team with strong interest in Bortuzzo is the Colorado Avalanche, sources say.

It’s prompted some talk in league circles of a potential Bortuzzo – Max Talbot swap, but team sources for now downplay the Penguins bringing Talbot back who has two years left on his contract with a $1.75 million cap hit. It can’t be ruled out, though, as the Penguins feel the locker room hasn’t been the same without Talbot but I get the sense they don’t like the contract..

The Penguins have been scouting the Avalanche of late and Jamie McGinn remains a potential player of interest but I’m hearing there’s concerns about McGinn’s rising salary as he currently makes $1.75 million and is an RFA at seasons end.

As the deadline inches closer, Buffalo’s Steve Ott will be the most highly coveted third line type player out there.

Bortuzzo possibly getting moved is interesting as word is teams that talked with the Penguins earlier this year about Deryk Engelland, sensed Pittsburgh had no interest in moving Engelland but are willing to move Bortuzzo.

It all fits now as I’m hearing the Penguins will make an attempt on selling Engelland to resign with the Penguins in a depth forward/defenseman role. Engelland, though is not a huge fan of playing forward, a source close to Engelland tells me.