Penguins/NHL
Latest Trade Deadline Buzz
–Scuttlebutt on the Penguins trade deadline plans —
Pittsburgh for weeks has preferred to stay out of the d-man market unless a significant setback pops up between now and February 24th with Brian DuMoulin who has just begun skating and had another c[heckup] on Tuesday. Adding a defenseman on a two-way contract is in play but Pittsburgh actively trying to add a legitimate top-3 pairing or a true No. 7 defenseman hasn’t been a top priority to this point. [/hide]
The focus has been on adding another veteran forward.
Pittsburgh’s brass believes when fully healthy, they are one of the deepest teams in the NHL 1-12. The team remains hopeful Nick Bjugstad will return at somepoint and they’ll be getting Zach Aston-Reese back next month, but in the wake of acquiring Jason Zucker this month, the priority is being 13-14 deep with legitimate NHL forwards. Despite the likes of Sam Lafferty and other Wilkes Barre call-ups this season showing flashes at various points, the Penguins feel they’re a depth forward away from feeling truly comfortable with the forward group for a deep playoff run.
And with the deadline just four days away, there’s been some links to former Penguins that Pittsburgh has had trade talks on.
The most prominent are talks with the Buffalo Sabres.
Word has been going around the Conor Sheary camp for about a week now that Pittsburgh is a “serious” (one source put it) option to reacquire Sheary. Sources say it’s been a scenario Pittsburgh has put on the table as one of those deadline day type of moves strongly under consideration. Things are at the point where the chips are on the table of what compensation Pittsburgh will give up. Buffalo is seeing what’s out there and will circle back. Sabres GM Jason Botterill has scoured the market for a cTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Pittsburgh has also taken a long look at Sabres winger JTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
