Penguins/NHL
Word inside league circles is that the Penguins brass believes the “skill” is still there for 37 year old winger Alexei Kovalev. Will that lead to the Penguins taking a chance on Kovalev like they did with Billy Guerin two trade deadlines ago? Indications are GM Bryan Murray quickly contacted
Penguins GM Ray Shero upon the news that Evgeni Malkin was lost for the season last weekend. The Penguins are said to be evaluating whether Kovalev could be a fit in Pittsburgh.
The sense is Pittsburgh will only make a play for Kovalev if they believe Sidney Crosby is returning, which is the mindset and approach the Penguins are taking right now.
At mid-week, the Penguins trade deadline plans were said to still be in the preliminary stages. Ottawa’s asking price does not figure to be an issue if the Penguins decide to move on Kovalev.
I’m told Pittsburgh prefers to let the market play out but are keeping in contact with GM’s of potential targets, in case the Penguins have to move on any kind of deal.
Since the All-Star break, Kovalev has been rejuvenated and is playing well of late. Kovalev has 5 goals and 3 assists in 6 games played since the break.
He had two goals and an assist for the Senators today, who snapped an 11-game losing streak, beating the last-place Edmonton Oilers 5-3 on Saturday.
