Report: Schultz' injury complicates trade discussions

Rutherford's priorities may have just shifted.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Schultz' injury complicates trade discussions
KeyStone Press

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed the trade rumors circulating around the Pittsburgh Penguins today.

A reader asked about the issues surrounding the bottom 6, and if there are trade discussions occurring right now with Jim Rutherford and general managers around the NHL.

"I do think they're going to do something to address the bottom-six. It just got a little more complicated, though, with the injury to Schultz," Mackey explained.

Justin Schultz was placed on IR today and as one of the team's top 4 defensemen, and the issues surrounding Ian Cole, the trade discussions may shift towards acquiring a solid depth defenseman.

In regards to the forward situation, the team doesn't seem to function when they rely purely on the top 6 for production - in their latest winning streak, they started to get more offense and effort from the likes of Carl Hagelin and Bryan Rust, with a spattering of goals from the 4th line as well.

Their lack of consistency puts a big question mark on them as a group, and begs the question - can they be relied upon as the playoffs roll around? It's no secret that Rutherford has been in the market for an impact forward, and while Mackey does see them going out and getting one, it may not happen as soon as hoped for, or predicted with Schultz' injury.

Who would you like to see Rutherford target?