Penguins/NHL
The Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks remain in discussions regarding defenseman Chris Pronger. Names being discussed right now are Mark Stuart, Patrice Bergeron, and top prospect Joe Colborne. A first round pick would also be involved. The Ducks are holding out for Phil Kessell but the Bruins are the favorites to land Pronger.
Sources tell Inside Pittsburgh Sports the Sharks approached the Ducks about a package of Jonathan Cheechoo, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, prospect, 1st round pick for Pronger. Trading Pronger within the division is something Ducks GM Bob Murray likely has no interest in doing. Check out the NHL Rumor Chart for other suitors.
Olli Jokinen will be moved at the trade deadline. The Canadiens, Devils, Blue Jackets, Wild, Flames and Thrashers are strongly considering Jokinen. Coyotes Defenseman Derek Morris has drawn interest from 8 to 10 teams including the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Reports have linked Sabres forward Tim Connolly to Columbus but add the Nashville Predators to the list of teams that are interested in the talented forward.
The Vancouver Canucks are eyeing Av’s defenseman Jordan Leopold and Senators puck moving defenseman Filip Kuba. Rangers are also among teams that are in on both players.
The LA Kings remain very active in trade talks. They are willing to move high draft picks and prospects for a top 6 forward. The Kings were among 6 teams to be scouting the Penguins – Blackhawks game on Friday night.
The Kings approached the Penguins about Kyle Calder to see if there was any interest.
The Philadelphia Flyers remain heavily involved in talks with the Panthers about defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester is the Flyers top target but If the Flyers are unable to land Bouwmeester they are expected to maek a play for Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis. Two sides have held discussions.
Don‚Äôt know if it was an ownership move or a Ray Shero move but as mentioned earlier in the week the Penguins were in on Avalanche forward Ryan Smyth. One source claims the Penguins were extremely interested and from what I’ve been able to gather there was more interest from Pittsburgh than I thought there was.
Colorado was very interested in Ryan Whitney and when the Penguins traded Whitney to Anaheim it caught a lot of teams by surprise who were involved in talks with the Penguins about Whitney. Getting Tangradi made Shero go with the Ducks deal. By waiting a few more days to gauge the market, The Ducks could have had second thoughts and pulled Tangradi off the market. Something Shero didn’t want to risk.
There’s some speculation that the Minnesota Wild and Penguins have held talks within the past week. I’ve been told they could be looking at Hal Gill and Ruslan Fedotenko. Haven’t heard a peep about Marian Gaborik yet. Minnesota was at Chicago yesterday scouting Friday’s game.
The rumor we’ve been reporting for a while that Marty St. Louis nixed a trade to Pittsburgh seems to be gaining some steam. ESPN contacted both GM’s about it on Thursday and obviously Shero and Lawton denied but based on everything I’ve been told since early February, St. Louis did nix a trade to Pittsburgh.
Tyler Kennedy has been bothered by a stomach virus.
Dan Bylsma wanted Tim Wallace called up on the fourth line in place of skilled guys Chris Minard and Janne Pesonen.
