Rumor: Penguins linked to two star wingers in trade talks

Sportsnet reporter and NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joined Vancouver’s Sportsnet 650 radio station yesterday to discuss all of the trade options in the NHL landscape ahead of the league’s February 26th trade deadline. The most intriguing rumor out there? Buffalo Sabres power forward Evander Kane and Montreal Canadiens captain Max Pacioretty in Pittsburgh? It’s not as crazy as it sounds…

“I think they’ve had some interest in Evander Kane,” said Friedman talking about the Penguins. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they were interested in Pacioretty. They’re looking. I think if they could, they’d add a winger and a center. I wouldn’t be surprised if they could do both.”

Wow… could you imagine? What are you waiting for, Jim Rutherford!? With the team sliding in the standings with each passing day, has the time come for a change? “Jim Rutherford, we’ve talked about he’s a guy who likes to move early, but I think he realizes he’s just at a point now – I think that’s the toughest division in hockey,” said Friedman. “There’s going to be three teams there that could make the playoffs just about anywhere else who are going to miss it. I just think that they’re running out of time. They’ve got to do something, and they know.”

Isn’t that the truth? What do you think it would take to swing a trade (or two) of this magnitude?