Trade Deadline Buzz: All signs point to Pens GM Ray Shero waiting for the market to develop next month

Indications are nothing is cooking for the Penguins on the trade front. Despite the Penguins struggles, that should not come as a surprise.

GM Ray Shero is a general manager who waits for the market to develop before moving forward on a prominent deal. The Penguins have always been players in the trade market under Shero, and they will surely be players again as the team is expected to look for help on the wings.

“We’re making the playoffs, put it that way,” Shero told the Tribune-Review on Thursday afternoon. “Anything less is unacceptable.”

There is no panic inside the Penguins organization, despite being in the midst of a six game losing streak and out of the top-8 in the Eastern Conference at the midpoint of the season. The situation is similar to 2009 but the coach isn’t getting fired this time around. Like Michel Therrien was in 08-09, Dan Bylsma is in the first year of a new three year contract and having the same type of struggles. Bylsma though is Shero’s hand picked coach and a coach that Shero envisions coaching here for a very long time. He isn’t going anywhere.

 Always subject to change, but a big trade is not in the works and any prominent move is said to be likely several weeks away.

As mentioned above, history shows Shero waits for the market to develop before pulling the trigger.

February 27, 2007— Penguins officially acquire Gary Roberts from Florida and Georges Laraque from Phoenix on the day of the trade deadline.

February 26, 2008— Penguins acquire Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis just minutes before the 3:00 p.m. deadline.

February 26, 2009— Penguins acquire Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi from Anaheim, about a week before the March 4th deadline.

March 4, 2009— Penguins acquire Billy Guerin from the New York Islanders on the day of the trade deadline.

March 1, 2010— Penguins acquire defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Florida Panthers, two days before the March 3rd trade deadline.

March 2, 2010 — Penguins acquire winger Alexei Ponikarovsky, one day before the March 3rd trade deadline.

February 21, 2011— Penguins acquire winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Dallas Stars

February 24, 2011— Penguins acquire winger Alex Kovalev from the Ottawa Senators.

CAMMALLERI SHIPPED OUT OF TOWN: Canadiens winger Mike Cammalleri blasted his team and now has been shipped out of town. Cammalleri was pulled out of tonight’s game vs Boston, and has been traded back to the Calgary Flames, according to multiple reports.  The Canadiens will receive forward Rene Bourque, Patrick Holland and a 2nd round pick. Calgary also receives Kari Ramo and  5th round pick. Cammalleri had a career year with the Flames in 2008-2009, collecting 39 goals and 82 points. Cammalleri, 29, carries a huge cap hit of $6 million through the 2013-2014. He has 9 goals and 22 points on the season.  

FLYERS CHASING TOP-END DEFENSEMAN: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is always looking to make a splash on the trade front and this year won’t be any different. The Flyers are looking for a big fish on the blueline and could make a serious run at Nashville’s Ryan Suter, if the Predators decide to part ways due to stalled contract talks.

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that the Flyers are dangling James Van Riemsdyk, which has sparked speculation of a possible trade between Toronto and Philadelphia that would center around Van Riemsdyk and Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. Unlike many GM’s, Leafs GM Brian Burke looks to be aggressive weeks before the trade deadline and is coveting a top-end young forward.

RUUTU/GLEASON A POTENTIAL PACKAGE DEAL? Pierre LeBrun on TSN’s INSIDER TRADE SEGMENT tonight, reported the Canes could move forward Tuomo Ruutu and defenseman Tim Gleason as a package deal. LeBrun mentioned the Boston Bruins as an ideal team who could make that type of deal as the Bruins covet depth at wing and on the blueline. Boston is projected to have $13-$14 million in cap space by the deadline and are among the most dangerous teams heading into the Feb 27th deadline. Carolina is already getting a number of inquires on Ruutu. Gleason, 28, is a free agent at seasons end and carries a $2.75 million cap hit. There will be a strong market for him with the Bruins and Flyers among several teams interested.