Penguins/NHL
Penguins moving on from Kane?
Penguins GM Jim Rutherford earlier this month made his annual push to make a splash well before the trade deadline.
NHL sources confirm the Buffalo Sabres turned down a legitimate [hide] offer from the Penguins for Evander Kane. Pittsburgh and Buffalo ratcheted up talks just after the New Year as the two sides have had back and forth discussions on multiple players and not just Kane.
“Evander Kane is one of the players that Jim Rutherford has been talking to Jason Botterill, his former employee about,” TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported this week, further confirming the Kane trade talks.”
The Penguins, though, stepped up with a formal offer, a source says, that included a young roster player with term and a prospect. Speculation has centered around the Penguins putting Conor Sheary in play for Kane.
Botterill, though, has decided to let the market play out, which could lead to the Penguins reassessing their trade options and going in another direction.
TSN reported Tuesday that Botterill’s asking price has gone from three assets to four;
A roster player, first round pick, top prospect and conditional pick.
Pittsburgh has made it clear to Buffalo they will not include a first round pick for Kane under any circumstances, sources say, and the way Jim Rutherford operates as Botterill knows, what is offered now is what will be offered a month from now if Pittsburgh makes another attempt to acquire Kane.
Despite Kane having a career year, Botterill is playing a risky game as many of the teams that have either made offers for him or kicking tires, are clubs like Pittsburgh that view Kane as a luxury than a player they have to have.
Coaches have concerns about bringing him into a dressing room and there’s a feeling around the league that clubs right now value him as being worth a 2nd round pick and a young NHL player. [/hide]
