Breaking: Penguins officially out of major trade sweepstakes

Probably for the best. The cost was way too high.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Breaking: Penguins officially out of major trade sweepstakes
Keystone Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins were believed to be one of the teams in hot pursuit of Buffalo Sabres impending free agent Evander Kane. Their primary need is down the middle, but speed and scoring is something they're looking to fill at all positions, so it made sense that the likes of Elliotte Friedman were reporting the Penguins' interest in the top available forward on the trade market.

In a turn of events, however, it appears they've dropped out of the sweepstakes recently.

The reported price for Kane is a first round pick, roster player, prospect, and a conditional pick that materializes only if Kane signs an extension with the team he gets traded to.

That's a stiff price, one that Jim Rutherford should be weary of paying. The roster player appears to be a recently added piece to the trade by Sabres GM Jim Botterill, likely taking Pittsburgh out of the conversation.

This makes sense, and lines up with the talks seemingly going on between Pittsburgh and the Boston Bruins. Their assistant GM is in Pittsburgh tonight, and there have reportedly been prior talks about Ian Cole. With the Bruins' centre depth, there could very well be a match here.

Keep an eye on that one.

Source: Twitter