Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins are mulling one or two roster moves, that could involve Martin Skoula or Jay McKee, according to sources. With the roster freeze on February 12 and Pittsburgh off until Saturday, the team has been active looking to make a few tweaks this week, although nothing significant is expected.
As of late last night, the team had discussed a potential waiver claim of Ducks defenseman Nick Boynton. The Penguins expressed interest in Boynton last summer but the Penguins don’t like Boynton’s salary, which makes a waiver claim unlikely.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has held preliminary trade talks with the Phoenix Coyotes regarding young forward Peter Mueller. Phoenix is eyeing a targeted roster player and an NHL ready prospect. Other known teams expressing interest include the Canucks, Rangers, Sabres and reportedly the Boston Bruins have been in on Mueller.
However a holdup in talks with Pittsburgh has been the inability to agree on the NHL ready prospect going the other way and it’s believed Pittsburgh is torn on moving the targeted roster player.
Phoenix has asked for Ruslan Fedotenko or Max Talbot according to a source but league buzz is that Fedotenko is the player Phoenix covets, looking to add a veteran with playoff experience.
I continue to hear the organization is torn on Fedotenko leading up to the trade deadline. Dan Bylsma is among one of the strongest supporters of Fedotenko and some in the organization see a risk in moving Fedotenko and bringing in a young forward with upside who has struggled for the past two seasons.
But, the key to acquiring Mueller is agreeing to the NHL ready prospect going the other way. The Coyotes have asked about the Penguins big guns, Letang, Goligoski but that’s not happening.
***Forward Nick Johnson has been informed that he will be sent back to Wilkes Barre/Scranton. No word yet on Mark Letestu.
more to come
