Category Archives: Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins identify Canucks’ Kesler as top trade target
The Penguins know which player they want to acquire before the NHL trade deadline Wednesday.
Vancouver center Ryan Kesler is being pursued aggressively by Penguins general manager Ray Shero, multiple sources told the Tribune-Review on Saturday.
Oilers’ Forward Ales Hemsky on Pens Radar?
Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby is still without an official right winger for his line.
Brian Gibbons, who’s currently down in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, has filled in steadily for the Pens, however, might not be quite ready for the animal that is the postseason.
A big list of players who the Penguins may consider trading for
If Shero opts to bring in rentals, as he did in 2013 with Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray, some players from teams doomed to miss the playoffs who might get consideration are:
NHL Trade Rumours: Habs, Pens like Hemsky?
According to Edmonton radio host and Oilers analyst Bob Stauffer, the Montreal Canadiens or Pittsburgh Penguins — two Eastern Conference clubs known to be looking for help up front — might be interested in Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky. The veteran winger has a chance to showcase his skills in Sochi, but only registered a single assist in 30 minutes of ice time through the Czech Republic’s first three games.
Do the Penguins have interest in Hemsky
Edmonton GM Craig MacTavish has been the most active this season. He’s finally started to deliver on his promise to make moves. He isn’t done by any stretch. Expect to see left winger Ryan Jones, defenceman Nick Schultz, defenceman Corey Potter and right wing Ales Hemsky moved.
Could the Pens be looking to make a move?
Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero loaded up at last year’s trade deadline, adding Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Doug Murray, and Jussi Jokinen. It wasn’t the first time Shero complemented his roster before the deadline. In 2011, the Penguins brought back Alex Kovalev. In 2010, they added Alexei Ponikarovsky and Jordan Leopold. In 2009, Shero acquired Bill Guerin. It won’t be easy for Shero this year to land veteran help. In previous years, the Penguins had cap space to fold in contracts.
Trade Letang? Sure, why not?
Shero has been adamant all winter he doesn’t want to go down the rental route again. He has had enough of sending away first-round picks for Brenden Morrows. He wants to make what he calls “pure hockey trades.” And that’s a great start to the thought process. No team can give up prospects and picks in perpetuity without some lasting returns.
This team needs more than a two-month fix or the brittle Beau Bennett at first-line right wing to replace Pascal Dupuis. It needs an impact performer, one who could stick around. It also needs more than a handful of AHL call-ups killing time on the third and fourth lines around poor Brandon Sutter.
Wheeling and Dealing
Matheson also reports the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to acquire Winnipeg Jets winger Blake Wheeler to play with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on the team’s first line.
Rumors from the Edmonton Journal
Most people think the Pittsburgh Penguins will dangle defenceman Simon Despres to get a forward at the NHL trade deadline because they have Derrick Pouliot, who was outstanding in the world junior hockey championship, coming and they like blue-liner Brian Dumoulin, who they acquired in the Jordan Staal trade.
Penguins Claim Forward Taylor Pyatt Off Waivers
The Pittsburgh Penguins have claimed forward Taylor Pyatt off waivers, it was announced today by executive vice president and general manager Ray Shero.
Pyatt, 32, has played the past two seasons with the New York Rangers, collecting 12 points (6G-6A) in 70 regular-season games. He had four points (2G-2A) in 12 playoff games with the Rangers last spring.
Could the Pens go after Cammalleri
The Pittsburgh Penguins need a third-liner with some bite, but with Pascal Dupuis out with a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament, they also need a top-six winger. The Calgary Flames’ Mike Cammalleri, an unrestricted free agent, fits that bill. He doesn’t check as well as Dupuis, but he has a better scoring touch.
http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2013/12/29/short-shifts-oilers-doctor-has-possible-kentucky-derby-candidate/
Will the Rangers or Penguins make a push for Cammalleri
Calgary Flames winger Mike Cammalleri’s old agent is Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis, but I’d say the Pittsburgh Penguins or the New York Rangers will make the biggest push for him at the trade deadline, even if he’ll still have $1.25 million left on his $6 million contract. The Penguins need some offence outside of their top six.
Penguins talk
With Letang out, defenseman Matt Niskanen has assumed a top-four role on defense, paired with free-agent returnee Rob Scuderi. Niskanen has produced three assists and a plus-4 rating.