Penguins/NHL
PENGUINS TO DANGLE 2ND ROUND PICK FROM ANAHEIM IN TALKS
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis was tabbed by the Penguins management months ago of a player who could become available as a rental and who would certainly peak the Penguins interest.
Hamhuis set to return to the lineup for the first time in two months after suffering significant facial fractures, is to know surprise starting to hit the rumor mill and linked to the Penguins.[hide]
Via Ryan Wilsonof Hockeybuzz, USA today’s Kevin Allen was on TSN’s 1040 yesterday and when asked about Hamhuis said he’s heard the Penguins are “very interested.”
“He certainly would be perfect for them,” Allen said. “Pittsburgh is starting to get their offense together. Hamhuis is exactly type of player they need.”
The issue for Jim Rutherford in trying to acquire Hamhuis isn’t going to be the cost. With the guarantee of having a first round pick if they miss the playoffs or no first round pick but two second round picks if they make the playoffs, NHL sources say the Penguins have the appetite to move their second round draft choice from Anaheim.
If Hamhuis plays to his ability once returning from injury, one executive said Hamhuis will surely go for a second round pick + another asset. Maybe even a first rounder is the feeling around the league.
Wouldn’t be a shock to see the Penguins put their 2016 second rounder and a roster player (maybe Ian Cole) for Hamhuis?
With a $4.5 million cap hit, a salary would have to be moved.
Getting Hamhuis to accept a trade to Pittsburgh, though, might be the more difficult part.
The Penguins are currently one of 22 teams Hamhuis has on his no trade list, a league source confirmed.
Hamhuis who is from British Columbia and is entrenched in the community with business ventures, is not too keen of heading East at the deadline, one source close to the situation strongly indicated. It’s believed the eight teams where the Canucks could trade Hamhuis without his permission are all Western Conference teams. However, that often doesn’t deter teams from trying to make a deal with a team that might be on the players no trade list.
Hamhuis whose wife is also from British Columbia and the two have three children, the priority is to try to stay in Western Canada next season if the Canucks part ways.
The sense I got today in checking on Hamhuis is the only way he’d sign off on going to an Eastern Conference team as a rental would be to a team he truly believes can win a Cup.
The potential of landing Hamhuis who fits the profile of the Penguins badly wanting a minutes eater, is going to be less about the cost and more about the Penguins proving they’re a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and swaying Hamhuis to the East.
Four weeks and some change until the deadline.[/hide]
