Penguins/NHL
Not much going on in the rumor mill with the Roster Freeze being tomorrow but here’s the latest buzz
Mike Zigomanis, Max Talbot and Hal Gill did not make the trip to Atlanta. Ryan Whitney was skating again this morning.
Zigomanis was on the ice today in Pittsburgh but his shoulder is not ready for contact drills. Tonight will be the seventh consecutive game he will miss.
Talbot is hopeful to play Monday night against Buffalo.
There’s a lot of talk right now that the Penguins won’t be in the market for a top 6 winger because they don’t want to give up any top draft picks or any of their young core players. Don’t look too much into that talk right now. Ray Shero’s main goal is upgrading upfront. Now would it surprise that the Penguins don’t acquire a top notch winger this season? Not at all but the Penguins will be actively exploring the market from now up until the trade deadline.
Another thing to consider is the pressure from ownership to make a deep playoff run
Rich Curran the agent for Brendan Shanahan has confirmed to Inside Pittsburgh Sports that he hasn‚Äôt heard from the Penguins in more than a month. Shanahan may not end up playing this year but Shanahan is hopeful to rejoin the Rangers if Mats Sundin surprisingly doesn‚Äôt pick the Rangers. Don’t see it happening.
Toronto has scouted the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins in two of their past four games. They are believed to be targeting tough guy Paul Bissonnette. Bissonnette would fit the mold of a Brian Burke type of player but Pittsburgh is in no hurry to give up Bissonnette. The front office likes his potential. Following the roster freeze, I expect the Leafs to make a offer.
The Penguins have four very winnable games coming up. (Atlanta, Toronto, Buffalo and Tampa Bay).
The buzz around the league is the Penguins lack toughness. Last year’s team was very unique. They could play a skilled game or play a rough physical game. It can be argued that the Penguins had the toughest team in the league last season.
Sources tell me the Flyers are the team that worries the Penguins front office the most in the Atlantic Division.
MarKus Naslund playing a strong factor in luring Mats Sundin to New York.
I saw in the comments forum that someone brought up Chris Neil. The Senators are in last place and if they continue to fall in the standings, I could see the Penguins making a play for Neil.
I asked some people around the league whether the San Jose Sharks would consider moving Jonathan Cheechoo (8 points in 19 games) during the season. The major opinion is the Sharks won’t move him, despite his inconsistent play. They looked into moving him at the draft. Could see the same thing happening again at this summer’s draft.
