Breaking: Pens make decision on Cole for Friday night

Ian Cole has been the subject of rampant trade speculation ever since he became a regular healthy scratch as of late.

After a spectacular performance during the Stanley Cup playoffs that ultimately contributed to a victory over the Nashville Predators in the finals in 2016, Cole has found himself in Mike Sullivan's dog house, all the while wearing a very short leash.

It appears that the grip on that metaphorical leash has loosened slightly as Cole is set to return to the lineup on Friday when the Pens take on the Buffalo Sabres in New York state.

Johnson is adamant that Cole has been out of the lineup for performance reasons rather than for trade reasons - although it could be reasonably speculated that given his style of play, they don't want to risk having him injure himself, which would all but certainly abort any potential trade in the works.

Cole will line up with Justin Schultz as Chad Ruhwedel will sit out.