Penguins/NHL
As the NHL trade freeze is lifted in less than an hour, the latest big name to surface on the trade front is Tampa Bay Lightning winger Marty St. Louis. Nick Kypreos of Sportsnet, reports that It’s believed St.Louis did ask the Lightning for a trade when he was left off Team Canada. However, Kypreos notes that some NHL clubs are not sure if he still feels the same way now that he was added to Team Canada and won Gold with them.
There has been increasing speculation of a potential Ryan Callahan – Marty St. Louis trade. It’s believed to have been discussed but Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports Lightning GM Steve Yzerman has no interest in moving St. Louis for a rental player.
St. Louis has been linked to the Rangers in the past as New York has long been regarded as the one team he would accept a trade too. The Philadelphia Flyers are also believed to have had substantive trade talks with the Lightning.
St. Louis lives in Greenwich, Connecticut during the off-season where his wife is from, among the reasons the Rangers have been looked at as a top landing spot anytime his name has surfaced on the trade circuit over the years.
The Rangers latest offer to Ryan Callahan is believed to be for five years worth around $32 million. Callahan has been seeking a seven year deal in the $47 million range.
St. Louis has one year remaining on his deal with a $5.625 million cap hit and at age 38 is showing no signs of slowing down.
ARE THE PENGUINS A POTENTIAL TRADE FIT?
They’ve had interest in the past as the Penguins made an aggressive attempt to acquire St. Louis way back in the 2008-2009 season but St. Louis had no interest in moving his no trade clause at the time.
If St. Louis still wants out, the sense seems to be that Yzerman will seek an impact forward back with term. The Lightning are looked at by some in the scouting world as the third best team in the Eastern Conference, behind the Bruins and Penguins. It’s probably going to take a Brandon Sutter or Beau Bennett to at least get the Penguins in the discussion if that holds some weight.
There’s been nothing linking St. Louis to Pittsburgh at this point.
St. Louis would be an ideal fit for Sidney Crosby, though, you always have risks in acquiring a soon to be 39 year old who could suddenly break down next season with a cap hit well over $5 million.
