Penguins/NHL
A ton of emails from sources have been coming in this morning as the trade deadline is 4 days away. Sidney Crosby will be held out of today’s game against Dallas
Could the Penguins make a play for Jonathan Cheechoo? Offer still on the table for Marty St. Louis?; Penguins eyeing two players that use to play with head coach Dan Bylsma; Penguins and Leafs in talks about power forward; What the Penguins don’t like about Nik Antropov; Listening to offers for one potential FA; Update on Bill Guerin; Read more for the latest
Penguins general manager Ray Shero is still trying to get Leafs power forward Alexander Ponikarovsky from the leafs. The issue right now is Leafs GM Brian Burke keeps pushing Jamal Myers for what Shero is offering for Ponikarovsky. This is something to keep an eye on the next few days.
While the Lightning broke off talks with the Penguins recently, it is believed the Penguins offer remains on the table for Marty St. Louis, if the Lightning want to get back into talks. It seems unlikely but with Brian Lawton anything is possible. The Penguins are prepared to make a revised offer, now that they don’t have Ryan Whitney.
Lightning are very interested in Brooks Orpik. Penguins don’t have much interest in moving him. He’s not an untouchable but he’s close.
According to a source, the Penguins are still very high on Laperriere — he was a teammate of Bylsma’s with the Kings — but they may have company in the Red Wings, Flames and Panthers who have also expressed interest. Contract talks are at a stalemate with Laperriere, so the Penguins might be able to get him for a second-tier, soon-to-be FA and/or mid-round draft pick.
I like Laperriere but it’s interesting that the Penguins are being linked to players Bylsma played with ( Kunitz)
A source tells me how about Cheechoo? He was a 40-goal-scorer with Thornton not long ago, now he’s a third-liner. Could he regain the magic on the Crosby line? He’s available apparently and the Penguins may look into the asking price.
Another name to watch: Wild veteran Martin Skoula, a big, smart D who also played with Bylsma awhile back. The Wild scouted Friday’s game. They have been linked to Hal Gill and Ruslan Fedotenko.
Here’s what the Penguins don’t like about Antropov: Maple Leafs want a first-round draft pick in return.
A source in Chicago who has been the business for over 30 years tells me the Blackhawks are in a quandary about Havlat right now. He has been their best player for weeks, but if they don’t sign him before the deadline, they’re likely to lose him for nothing. Do they trade him now or roll the dice later? The Penguins will watch this one closely. He’s a very skilled guy who has never played with Crosby-like talent. They want some immediate help plus something for the future to move him.
I’m told Guerin will not be traded to Boston, Montreal or New Jersey. A team source tells me the only way the Penguins got back into the Guerin sweepstakes is if the Penguins can match the salary going to New York. Still, they were very interested in him earlier this month.
The Rangers, Capitals, Hurricanes, Sabres have held talks with the Islanders about Guerin.
Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma is not a big fan of Bill Thomas. That’s why the Penguins could be in the market for a 4th line center again.
Ruslan Fedotenko continues to draw a lot of interest.
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more to come
