Penguins/NHL
SATURDAY NIGHT PENGUINS RUMORS
During the 2nd intermission of the Canadiens – Leafs game, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman and Damien Cox were on Hockey Night in Canada for their “Saturday Headlines” segment they do every Saturday night.
Here’s what the panel had to say about the Penguins:
“Pittsburgh, they’d like to get a veteran defenceman and might be willing to part with one of their really impressive younger guys to get that defenseman,” Cox said. “We’re talking Brian Dumoulin, Scott Harrington, or Derrick Pouliot to get that veteran defenseman. If they do, money will have to go out the door as well and it’s worth remembering that Steve Downie was a scratch in Thursday’s game this week. That’s a name to watch.
“They might also be looking at a backup goalie,” the panel said. “Thomas Greiss was great for them this year. And then he got the mumps. Hasn’t been as good since he got back.”
DePaoli’s Take:
1. The Penguins are not moving Derrick Pouliot or Scott Harrington but as we’ve been reporting, the Penguins have put Brian Dumoulin’s name and Beau Bennett out there as trade chips. They’re in a win-now mode with a short-term GM who is nearing 70 years old. Very willing to move a young asset for an impact player but it’s just not going to be Pouliot or Harrington.
2. The Downie rumor is interesting. This coaching staff really likes what Zach Sill brings to the table from a character and grit standpoint. Be a surprise but can’t be ruled out at this point as the Penguins believe Downie’s going to be a tough sign this summer.
3. The Greiss signing has not panned out and with every dollar mattering for them when it comes to the cap, carrying an extra $400,000 cap hit for Greiss over Zatkoff hasn’t been worth it.
