Penguins Trade Deadline News *Live Updates*

There has been a ton Ryan Whitney chatter in the past 48 hours and the former Penguin is on the move once again. The Ducks made a last minute deal trading Whitney to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Lubomir Visnovsky.

The Penguins have made their minor move acquiring the Toronto Maple Leafs 6th round pick in exchange for defenseman Chris Peluso. The Penguins now have 8 draft picks in the 2010 entry draft. (1st rd – 3rd rd – 4th rd -5th rd -(3) 6th rd – 7th rd

Penguins GM Ray Shero will hold a press conference at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the Penguins deadline moves.

The Los Angeles Kings made their second move of the day acquiring veteran winger Fredrik Modin from the Columbus Blue Jackets. TSN.CA

The Washington Capitals bolstered their defense acquiring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo in exchange for Brian Pothier, prospect Oskar Osala and a 2nd round pick in 2011.

The Phoenix Coyotes made another move acquiring winger Lee Stempniak from the Toronto Maple Leafs — TSN.CA

The Washington Capitals reacquired defenseman Milan Jurcina from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 6th round pick. — Columbus Dispatch

Per Columbus Dispatch, The Buffalo Sabres have acquired Raffi Torres in exchange for a 2nd round pick and Nathan Paetsch. Torres agent Steve Reich has confirmed the deal, tell me Raffi’s “a bit surprised but happy” about going to Buffalo.

League sources indicate Jay McKee has been very much in play today. A Pens source says they didn’t get many looks and barring a minor league type of deal, they are believed to be done.

The Vancouver Canucks have held discussions with the Maple Leafs about Tomas Kaberle today. The Canucks are trying to move Pavel Demitra to clear space. Rangers speculated as a suitor for Demitra. Meanwhile, Philadelphia, Boston, New York Rangers among teams kicking the tires on Kaberle

The Washington Capitals made another depth move, adding Minnesota Wild center Eric Belanger. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune reports the Capitals will send a second round pick.

The New York Rangers are very active in trying to add a puck moving defenseman. They have discussed Tom Gilbert and Ryan Whitney along with Tomas Kaberle.

The Los Angeles Kings have acquired Jeff Halpren, per TSN. The Kings will send a 3rd round pick and a roster play.

Steve Reich, the agent for Raffi Torres tells me his client has not been informed of any trade. Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson expected to go down to the wire. Washington, Los Angeles is out. Flyers, Bruins, Canucks, Sabres among teams in the mix.

The Phoenix Coyotes traded 2006 first-round draft pick Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter to the Colorado Avalanche for Wojtek Wolski. A very good deal for Phoenix and some believe Kevin Porter could become the best player in the deal going to Colorado. Porter should be a better fit in Joe Sacco’s system.

The Washington Capitals made their first move of the day, acquiring Scott Walker from the Carolina Hurricanes. Capitals GM George McPhee is taking some heat after missing out on Aaron Ward and Andy Sutton.

Alex Ponikarovsky may not appear in his first game until Saturday afternoon. Penguins not expecting his visa issue to be resolved until Thursday.

More defenseman on the move as Aaron Ward has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks and Dennis Seidenberg was traded to the Boston Bruins. Bruins are not done.

Martin Skoula is staying in the Atlantic Division. Has been traded to the New Jersey Devils, according to TSN. Sources say he was told by Leafs management not to depart to Toronto and is still in the Pittsburgh area.

A lot of Ryan Whitney chatter but appears a trade at the draft is more likely. Teams to inquire about Whitney include the Islanders, Lightning, Bruins, Oilers and Rangers. Source says nothing is close right now

Word out of Colorado is that long-term financial reasons and the fact that Wojtek Wolski is not a Joe Sacco guy are the main reasons the Av’s are actively shopping the winger. Number of teams expressing interest including Phoenix, Boston, Rangers and Islanders.

The Phoenix Coyotes have acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins, according to TSN. The Bruins are in talks of adding another defenseman and a forward, with the likes of Dennis Seidenberg, Aaron Ward and Ryan Whitney on their radar. At the forward position, Bruins have been in on Raffi Torres for about 4 weeks.

Few quotes from Ray Shero who confirms that the Leafs came back to him this afternoon and that he wasn’t looking to move Luca Caputi. “{Leafs’ offer} kind of came back to me in the afternoon, and Luca was the guy they wanted,” Shero said. “We had a long discussion internally. That was not a guy we wanted to trade or looking to trade. But at the end of the day, Ponikarovsky was that guy for us. “I didn’t think this was a deal we’d be able to do, and if you’d have told me we could have done this a few days ago I’d have said, ‘No way.’ This gives us a chance to be a good team again.” (Source: Tribune-Review)

Pittsburgh receiving Alex Ponikarovsky – Toronto receiving Luca Caputi and Martin Skoula. According to Bob McKenzie, no draft pick involved. Sources tell me trade call is set to happen at 10:30 p.m. Penguins preparing official announcement in about an hour. Pens head scout Derek Clancey has scouted Ponikarovsky heavily since early Janaury

The agent for Luca Caputi has advised his client to be ready for a trade

Source tells me as late as 5:00 p.m, Leafs GM Brian Burke gave GM Ray Shero a chance to match the Leafs highest offer for Alex Ponikarovsky which is believed to be from a Western Conference team. Last I heard, Leafs were coveting Luca Caputi.

Anything can change with one phone call but Raffi Torres is not expected to be traded today. A source close to Torres also tells me no team has requests permission to discuss an extension. Torres camp is unsure where the forward will land.

The Penguins have actively tried to land Blue Jackets Raffi Torres but their package centering around a 3rd round pick and a mid-tier prospect is not getting it done. I’m told unless Pittsburgh can get a 2nd round pick elsewhere, Blue Jackets are coveting Ben Lovejoy as the prospect in return which has been a major stumbling block. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is closely monitoring Alex Ponikarovsky but a team source called Pittsburgh a longshot due to the Leafs coveting Luca Caputi.

Bob McKenzie of TSN.ca reports, the Colorado Avalanche are shopping winger Wojtek Wolski. Wolski, 24, has 17 goals and 47 points on the season. The Penguins expressed significant interest in Wolski last winter when the Av’s expressed interest in Ryan Whitney. The Av’s are believed to have approached the Penguins Monday about their excess group of defensemen. There has been no word that the Penguins are in on Wolski.

The Penguins are shopping the rights of 2006 2nd round pick Carl Sneep, sources indicate. A source close to Sneep told me in December that Sneep may not sign with the Penguins following his senior season and therefore become a free agent.

A source tells me keep an eye on Minnesota as the trade deadline approaches, if Pittsburgh comes up empty on some of their top targets at wing such as Raffi Torres. GM Chuck Fletcher knows the Pens farm system better than anybody and Fletchers shopping a few players of interest.

The Ottawa Senators have acquired defenseman Andy Sutton in exchange for a 2nd round pick, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Reports out of Washington indicated the Capitals were showing significant interest in Sutton.

A league source tells me the Phoenix Coyotes are giving Jay McKee a strong look. Source indicates they have approached Pens GM Ray Shero about McKee’s availablity, hoping to get him at a cheaper rate than the current market of a 2nd round pick. A source tells me Pittsburgh is seeking a 3rd round and prospect Kevin Porter for McKee. They will not move him for anything less than a 3rd round, although one source said McKee wants out due to his new status. The Blackhawks have also expressed interest.

The 12:00 p.m. waiver wire has come and gone and Pittsburgh did not place anyone on waivers today.

According to a Pens source, talks between Flyers and Predators have broken down and Philadelphia’s efforts are back with Torres. Some believe they are the front runner, offering a 3rd round pick and Ryan Parent for Torres and Milan Jurcina.

Today’s morning skate news and notes can be found here. Veterans Martin Skoula and Jay McKee will be scratched for Pittsburgh.

Defenseman Jay McKee will be a healthy scratch for the Penguins tonight. As expected newly acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold will be paired with Alex Goligoski. It was confirmed today at the morning skate. more to come.

Although there are mixed opinions on Leafs winger Alexei Ponikarovsky inside the organization, the Penguins are believed to be monitoring the situation as a Plan B . Pittsburgh I’m told is willing to offer a mid-tier prospect.

The Philadelphia Flyers are hopeful to push forward on a deal for Nashville Predators defenseman Dam Hamhuis today. A source tells the Philadelphia Daily News that the Flyers will give up Ryan Parent and Braydon Coburn to the Predators. However, CSNphilly.com reports that GM Dave Poile said a trade is now looking unlikely. It’s believed the Flyers intend to sign Hamhuis longterm, who the Flyers have targeted since last years deadline.

As of late Monday evening, the Pittsburgh Penguins remained focus on Blue Jackets winger Raffi Torres. The Penguins offer has centered around a 3rd round pick and a mid-tier prospect. The 3-5 prospects Pittsburgh has made available has been a stumbling block though. I’m told Torres is hopeful to land in Pittsburgh, staying close to his family. GM Scott Howson is willing to accomodate him, pushing for the Pens 2011 second rounder or prospect Ben Lovejoy.

The Philadelphia Flyers are focused on Dam Hamhuis, likely taking them out of the Torres sweepstakes. The Bruins and Penguins remain highly interested and reportedly the Tampa Bay Lightning are showing interest. Sources indicate Washington has also been kicking the tires on Torres but are currently focused on adding a defenseman.

Quick late night update: The Penguins can add a player with a cap hit of close to $1.77 million. Salary will have to be moved to add a top-6 winger. Top candidates include Martin Skoula ($600,000).

A Source close to Jay McKee tells me it is an uneasy time for the 13 year veteran who could fall to No. 7 on depth or be traded, despite leading Penguins in blocked shots and having 3rd best +/- rating among Pens defensemen. Click here for article

Newly acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold will participate in the Penguins morning skate on Tuesday and play against the Buffalo Sabres. Barring a trade before Tuesday’s game, Leopold is expected to be paired with Alex Goligoski for tomorrow night’s game.

Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch confirms that the Penguins remain interested in acquiring Raffi Torres and Reed mentions that the Bruins, Flyers and Penguins are in on Torres. I’m told a third round pick and a prospect like Dustin Jeffrey won’t get it done for Pittsburgh. The Jackets like Ben Lovejoy. Goligoski is not in play for Torres and won’t be moved for a rental player under any circumstances.

Per an Av’s source, the Colorado Avalanche have checked in on the Penguins excess group of defensemen. The Penguins scouted the Avalanche a few times leading up to the Olympic break, for what its worth.

Word out of Columbus is that Pittsburgh’s chances of acquiring Raffi Torres took a hit after Pittsburgh traded a 2nd round pick for Jordan Leopold. The Blue Jackets are coveting at least 2nd round pick for Torres, while Pittsburgh discussed a 3rd round pick and mid tier prospect. However, Pittsburgh remains in contact with Columbus and Torres is their top target. They are going to have to increase their offer though.

Pens GM Ray Shero has not ruled out a minor league type of trade in the wake of Wednesday’s deadline. The Kings and Penguins have discussed a swap believed to be involving Tim Wallace.

Reportedly the Toronto Maple Leafs have a few offers on the table for winger Alexei Ponikarovsky. Pittsburgh has yet to make an offer but have been in contact, sources confirm.

A number of league sources indicate the Penguins will deal a top-7 defenseman in the next 48 hours but who goes is still being internally discussed by the team. The Penguins will listen to offers for anyone except Brooks Orpik. Jay McKee has drawn interest from Phoenix and Chicago. It is not known how interested the Penguins are in moving McKee, with Brooks Orpik a bit banged up. I’m told the Penguins would seek a 2nd round pick for McKee.

Pens GM Ray Shero just spoke to the media. Talked extensively about the impact of the Leopold trade and how it affects the Penguins long-term playoff views. Adding a defenseman, not a forward was the Penguins first priority, according to Shero. Shero indicated that since Saturday he was trying to do that, exploring several options. Now the Penguins will explore additions upfront, however, Shero gave his group of wingers a boost of confidence saying that this group of wingers won a Stanley Cup.

Dan Bylsma just held a small media session and he made it clear that Jordan Leopold will in the Penguins top-6 and that he was not brought in as a depth option (No. 5 or No. 6) and Penguins intend for him to play a top-4 role.

The 12:00 p.m. waiver wire has come and gone and no Penguins were put on waivers. The Penguins currently have 12 forwards – 8 defensemen and 2 goaltenders on their active roster. Eric Godard is on injured reserve.

J.P Barry the agent for Ray Whitney has informed Hurricanes management that Whitney will not accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings. A Pens source tells me GM Jim Rutherford is looking to negotiate exclusively with teams on Whitney’s trade list that includes Flyers, Bruins and Penguins. With Kings likely out, price is coming down.

Quick update on the Penguins lines in practice. (Kunitz – Adams (in place of Crosby) – Guerin), (Dupuis – Malkin – Talbot) (Cooke – Staal – Kennedy), (Rupp – Adams – Fedotenko). Fedotenko appears healthy and is participating fully. Craig Adams is floating around, skating on 1st and 4th line.

The Penguins just took the ice for practice. Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar are practicing. Tim Benz informs me, the only players missing are Brooks Orpik, Marc Andre Fleury and Sidney Crosby.

Hurricanes forward Ray Whitney will approve a trade to five teams. Three of the five are Pittsburgh, Boston and Philadelphia. Pittsburgh has been kicking the tires on Whitney for some time and GM Jim Rutherford wants an answer soon whether the Penguins are going to get seriously involved or not

The trade call just finished up around 10:30 a.m. and the Penguins will make an official announcement in the hour. Leopold is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh around 3:00 p.m. today. Leopold, 29, is in the final year of a one year deal. He has a cap hit of $1.75 million. In 416 career games, Leopold has 127 points and a career plus/minus rating of minus-22.

There are strong indications that another deal is in the works for Pittsburgh with speculation centering around Alex Goligoski. One source said Penguins GM Ray Shero made it known over the weekend that anybody is in play on the blueline except Brooks Orpik.

It has been confirmed that the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the process of trading for defenseman Jordan Leopold. The trade call is set to go through at 10:00 a.m. Leopold has been informed of the trade. Leopold, 29, has 7 goals and 11 assists on the season, including a minus-7.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly close to acquiring defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Florida Panthers.

Penguins enforcer Eric Godard is weeks away from returning to the lineup with a torn right groin muscle and those close to Godard expect him to go on LTIR. Godard has a cap hit of $750,000.

League sources hear that Pittsburgh has been active in trade talks, and are setting the framework for one or two deals to be finalized as early as this afternoon..

A few news and notes. Penguins will practice this morning at 11:00 a.m. Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar will participate in today’s skate. Sidney Crosby and Brooks Orpik will not.