Will Riley Sheahan still be the Penguins third line center by next Tuesday?

As mentioned here multiple times in recent weeks, Sheahan’s uptick in play over the last month won’t halt the Penguins pursuit of Derick Brassard.

And it hasn’t.

A week away from the trade deadline, Brassard remains the top target for the Penguins brass and a player the organization views as a game changer at the third line center spot.

The belief is the obstacle in talks for the Penguins and Senators coming together on a deal that works for both sides isn’t any reluctance from Pittsburgh including Daniel Sprong or a first rounder for Brassard.

That has already been established, per sources.

It’s the coveted established young NHL forward (23-26 years old & on a good contract) piece the Senators are trying to get in any Brassard deal.

If Conor Sheary fits that criteria for Ottawa, the feeling in some circles around the league is that Pittsburgh and Ottawa would have already completed a Brassard deal by now.

League sources say the Senators have been doing a lot of homework/scouting on a small group of Penguin forwards they may seek in a Brassard deal and RTo read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

MORE TRADE DEADLINE BUZZ

Sabres GM Jason Botterill is said to be finding a very tough market of buyers for winger Evander Kane. As recently as this weekend, a source close to the situation said the Sabres had little to nothing cooking on the Kane front and things with Kane may go right down to the final hours of deadline day.

One NHL executive [hide] predicted to me the return the Sabres get for Kane is going to be much lower than anticipated 2-3 months ago.

“Botts [Jason Botterill] desperately needs Nash to go first and hope a contender gets antsy,” the executive said of the current market for Kane.

No one wants to set the market yet.

— Hearing today Benoit Pouliot remains a consideration from the Penguins, despite Zach Aston-Reese’s emergence and Patric Hornqvist close to returning.

[/hide]

— The Rangers are willing to deal Michael Grabner to Pittsburgh or Washington, two division rivals with interest, but at least in Pittsburgh’s case, the Penguins believe New York To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Related posts:

Trade Talks Heating Up: Senators pushing to complete trade of Brassard by Saturday Latest Pens Trade Deadline Buzz: Brass willing to go off board for one particular rental Forward? Default ThumbnailLatest NHL Buzz: Trade Talks beyond a rental type deal brewing between Pens, Sabres? Latest Penguins Trade Deadline Buzz: Ferland talks inching towards the finish line