Penguins/NHL
Is a trade brewing between the Penguins and Blackhawks?. Plus the Latest on Daryl Sydor, Mark Eaton, Brendan Shanahan and the current market for Marian Gaborik
Sources continue to indicate there is little interest in Brendan Shanahan at this time. Shanahan would jump at the chance to sign with Pittsburgh but Pittsburgh has yet to make a play for Shanahan.
A source characterized the Penguins organization meeting Friday afternoon as highly productive. Among the interesting topics is giving Kris Letang an increased role. There has been talk that the coaching staff has held Letang back from jumping up into the play. Letang led the Penguins in ice time Saturday night. The coaching staff has been watching a lot of tape to find ways to limit the amount of shots the Penguins are giving up. The Penguins are expected to work on systems this week as they have four days to prepare for the Edmonton Oilers.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been scouting the Penguins recently. The Hawks had scouts in attendance Saturday night in St. Louis. Shero previously talked to Hawks GM Dave Tallon about Daryl Sydor. I’m told Chicago has shown an interest in Mark Eaton, who they pursued during free agency. Eaton was a healthy scratch Saturday night. Shero prefers to move Sydors’ salary when Ryan Whitney returns
The Hawks are entertaining offers for defenseman Cam Barker and forward Martin Havlat. Barker and Havlat are two players the Penguins have interest in but making the numbers work is very difficult this early in the season. I’m told the Hawks have internally discussed making a play for Jordan Staal/veteran defenseman off the Penguins roster. We’ll see where this goes in the next couple months.
The Colorado Avalanche are shopping Marek Svatos.
A report came out this weekend that the Sabres may look into moving forward Ales Kotalik prior to the trade deadline.
The market for Marian Gaborik is down to three right now – Vancouver, LA and Atlanta. As the season progress the market will grow but too many teams are up against the cap.
Don’t believe any internet rumors that the Kings are looking to move Dustin Brown.
Andy Strickland had an interesting article last week stating a reason Marian Hossa turned down the Penguins offer was because Hossa and Marian Gaborik want to be a packaged deal next summer in free agency. Both are good friends and that may be the case but agents and players know this rarely works. MarKus Naslund and Petr Forsberg tried it after the lockout as Mario & co looked into the possibility and Naslund again tried it this summer with his friend Pavel Demitra. It is a difficult thing to do in the salary cap era.
Hossa had his sights set on Boston and Detroit during free agency and there were other factors in the Penguins locker room that led to his departure. It really wasn’t Michel Therrien according to a source. Hossa respected the Penguins young players and was well liked in the Penguins locker room but the makeup of the locker room did play a factor. A lot of veteran players departed this summer which had an effect on Hossa’s decision.
