Trade Deadline Buzz: Penguins still looking for a 2nd line winger, depth on 4th line

LATEST TRADE DEADLINE BUZZ

The sense in Penguins circles is that the team’s top decision makers still feel they haven’t fully addressed the second line left winger spot even with the addition of Brenden Morrow and Beau Bennett showing he can play at the NHL level.

The consensus from team sources on Brenden Morrow is that his eventual fit is going to be on the third line with Brandon Sutter and Matt Cooke, while seeing situational shifts with Malkin and Neal. Management is still not sold on Beau Bennett being the right fit with Malkin and Neal.

That has the Penguins still lurking in the Jarome Iginla sweepstakes, but the sense continues to be that the Penguins would seek a sign and trade deal for Iginla to give up the three for one package the Flames seek.

Iginla, though, is considered a longshot to land with the Penguins but when there are only three other teams in the mix, you can’t rule anything out. Many believe the Boston Bruins are the most motivated team to acquire Iginla.

Do the Penguins have other top-2 line winger targets on their radar? There’s been no leaks yet but Islanders winger Brad Boyes is a name starting to surface. Pittsburgh had interest in him during the summer but the Islanders are trying to sign him and in the middle of a playoff race. Unlikely to happen.

The Penguins are also exploring depth options on the 4th line, preferably a player who can impact the penalty kill. Dallas Stars winger Eric Nystrom has been among the depth players Penguins scouts had been tracking. There’s talk, though, of the Penguins wanting to add a 4th line center.

Here’s what GM Ray Shero said about 20 minutes ago on Sportsnet via John Shannon of what the Penguins could still add: “Depth on the 4th line or a winger for the 2nd line, you never know,” Shero said of the Penguins possibly not being done.

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