Penguins/NHL
Cole to be moved by January 1, Penguins mulling two blockbuster type trade scenarios?
— Much of the NHL is watching the Pittsburgh Penguins on what General Manager Jim Rutherford does coming out of the roster freeze.
The Penguins, according to multiple NHL sources, have been engaged in some pretty big trade talks on at least two fronts (does not involve rental players Pittsburgh would acquire) that if they decided to pull the trigger on one of the trade scenarios that is potentially play, the move or moves would be considered a ‘major shakeup’ and likely end up being the biggest trade of the NHL season, unless John Tavares was traded.
Specifics are unclear but one source said one of the trade scenarios being mulled in the organization would bring Penguin fans back down memory lane to the type of blockbuster trade Craig Patrick made in 1992 for the defending Stanley Cup Champions in trading Paul Coffey and Mark Recchi, when it comes to the type of significant player/or players being traded for a team that just won the Stanley Cup.
Whether Pittsburgh moves on any of them remains to be seen but on a much smaller front, chatter around the league is that the Ian Cole situation should coming to a conclusion this week.
League sources say Pittsburgh wants to complete a Cole trade this week as the situation is not sitting well in the room and the sense seems to be it will be a surprise if Cole is still a Penguin by January 1.
Rumblings are the Cole camp is fully expecting a trade to go down this week.
— Sabres GM Jason Botterill is willing to move Evander Kane now and well before the deadline. What the Sabres are currently working through is deciding to go the heavy futures route, 1st round pick/multiple prospects or go a package of NHL players with term.
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The belief is Pittsburgh has paired [hide] Conor Sheary/Carl Hagelin as trade bait in talks for Kane. Another scenario believed to be discussed is Daniel Sprong/Carl Hagelin + a high draft pick with the Sabres and those are trade combinations the Penguins have floated with other specific clubs.
Pittsburgh also likes Sabres winger Benoit Pouliot who could be be part of a Kane deal were the two sides move forward on a deal, sources say.
— Hope Everyone had a Great Christmas — [/hide]
