With the trade deadline less than six weeks away one of the story lines for the Penguins is what becomes of Derrick Pouliot.
Does he join the NHL club for the stretch run and become a factor or he is this years version of Simon Despres, traded for what the organization see’s as a win-now move?
Surrounding Pouliot there is a lot of the same talk going around that the Penguins never tried to kill with Despres.
Talk continues to emerge that the Penguins have not been thrilled with Pouliot’s commitment off the ice and his attention to details with film study, other aspects. For whatever reason Pouliot believing he doesn’t belong in Wilkes Barre has also rubbed some in the organization the wrong way.
When he initially went to Wilkes Barre he didn’t get off on the best foot with Mike Sullivan, who a source said didn’t like the type of attitude Pouliot was carrying around.
Whether it’s the right decision or not, the Penguins stance led by Bill Guerin and Mark Recchi on Pouliot has been that it’s going to take more than just production on the ice to get them to recommend a callup.
Things can always change but when checking on Pouliot last week, indications are the Penguins feel it is very important for Pouliot to take part in the AHL All-Star game on February 1.
Pouliot has 6 goals and 23 points in 36 games for Wilkes Barre. His plus-16 rating is tied with two others for the best mark on the team. Pouliot has a goal and four assists in his past three games after having just one point in his previous eight games.
Among defensemen he’s seventh in the AHL in points.
The Penguins continue to scour the trade market for another puck-moving defenseman, preferably a top-4 d-man, because they don’t see Pouliot as anything more than a complementary piece for this season if he were to be called up and put into the mix for the stretch run.
With it widely known around the league that Jim Rutherford is open to moving Pouliot as a trade chip in a deal that bolsters the Penguins lineup for a playoff run, some executives will be surprised if Pouliot isn’t up with the big club prior to the trade deadline, more so for trade considerations than anything. Teams that might be interested in him want to see him at the NHL level.
“The longer he stays in the American Hockey League, it makes you wonder what’s really going on there,” one executive said.
The Penguins last month looked into a Jonathan Drouin for Pouliot swap and there was no interest from the Lightning end. One rumor that won’t go away is talks between the Penguins and BTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Win now win now ! We are cup caliber
The only way this makes sense is if they get a player with years of control. Trading a guy with his talent at his age for a rental would be outrageous.
Keep trading your good young talent and draft picks and destroy you future. That is the Pens mantra.
now that habs got John scott will he be the captain still at the all star games lol
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=797903&navid=nhl:topheads
I could get behind Rychel and Johson for Pouliot. Either one alone wouldn’t do it for me. Grab a young winner and a veteran dmen signed to a reasonable contract.
Replace rychel with Boone jenner which would never happen
ya but i wouldn’t trade pouliot for jenner straight up. Don’t think we could get JJ and Jenner for that price
Don’t think we could get jj straight up for pouliot let alone adding rychel.
Pouliot to cbj seems odd considering they now have jones and Murray pair.
A playoff run…..lol! They play basically nothing but the east for the rest of the season. Prepare for the free fall.
Here comes paid Flyers blogger yogurt!
you’re a yinzer. you never listen to me. at the beginning of the season i said the pens were about a 10th place team. they are currently in 11th. they basically have to play every team in the top 8 of the conference 3 times yet. they will be extremely lucky to go .500 the rest of the way. that is being completely realistic. that will not get them in. the pens will need at least 90 points to have a shot at the 8th seed. that means they need to go 22-18. considering who they have on that roster… Read more »
don’t underestimate how shitty the east is this year.
Whatever you say, Flyers fan, and Crosby apologist.
Tough call, I know we debate hard over these kinds of moves but watching the last handful blow up in our face I have become cautious. The kid hasnt done anything to impress thus far and may be better suited as a trade chip but I dont want a short term 32/33 yo player for him. I would like to bring in someone more established in the 24/25/26 yo range which means we would have to package
There will be a deal with Columbus. It mostly likely will happen prior to the deadline
Oh yeah?
This shit again….
Any names?
Nice! Hope so!
I’d do pouliot for rychel and jj. Not sure what pens would need to add though.
Fraud Americans Kessel and Bennett to Colorado and get Nathan MacKinnon at least this kid plays with heart
He’s a Canadian. He has no heart.
Man you are a complete tool
I’d hold on to him. He has the skill, he’s still just a kid. He’ll get it together.
They probably want another 36 year old with experience. They are morons.
lets think about today not tomorrow.Once again same will be right in few years this team will be the joke of the League trade kessel since he has value before i wanted malkin gone now that kessel is here he can take fall before the russian