Penguins and Ducks linked in trade talks

When Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford shipped forward Carl Hagelin to the Los Angeles Kings for Tanner Pearson there weren’t many people surprised around the NHL. Rutherford had been saying for days that change was coming and that he was working the phones in an effort to improve his team. As soon as the opportunity to flip a struggling Hagelin for a struggling Pearson, Rutherford jumped all over it.

Now it doesn’t appear like Rutherford is done. 

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, Rutherford has been sniffing around the Anaheim Ducks trying to acquire defenseman Brandon Montour. 

Check out this little tidbit from Friedman’s latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet:

Okay, some other stuff: sounds like Pittsburgh tried to get its hands on Brandon Montour from Anaheim. Don’t think the Ducks are interested. He’s a talented guy. Someone who does fit their profile? Jakob Silfverberg, a pending UFA. Entering Saturday’s game in Ottawa, 41 of the Penguins’ 46 goals from forwards came out of their top six.

Interesting. It’s unlikely that the Ducks let go of Montour, however. The 24 year old blue liner put up 32 points in his first full NHL season last year with the Ducks and already has nine points in 22 games with a struggling Ducks squad this season. 

As for forward Jakob Silfverberg, he’s a more viable target considering that he’s heading for free agency this offseason. The 28 year old Swede has five goals and 10 points in 17 games this season, but he’s a former 20+ goal scorer with good two-way defensive abilities.

Now, does this mean a deal is imminent? Likely not, but if the Penguins and Ducks both continue to struggle, don’t be surprised if we see another swap of struggling players at some point this season. Silfverberg for Bryan Rust? Who says no?