Rumor: Penguins set their asking price on Cole

Day 2 of the Ian Cole Watch picks up right where it left off yesterday. Today TSN Bob McKenzie clarified his stance on a potential trade of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 28-year-old defenseman and dropped hints as to what Pens GM Jim Rutherford might be looking for in return.

“PIT will be looking for a healthy return on Cole, likely a quality centre. Not easy to come by,” says McKenzie. With the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights all vying for Cole, the speculation is that Leafs’ Tyler Bozak, Avs’ Carl Soderberg and Vegas’ Cody Eakin have all been discussed as potential bargaining chips.

But, don’t be surprised if Cole stays put warns McKenzie. “I am not as convinced as some that PIT trading D Ian Cole is a foregone conclusion. It absolutely could happen – he’s a healthy scratch, on the outs with coach Mike Sullivan – but IMO it’s not guaranteed he gets traded.”

Interesting. Everything out of Pittsburgh says that Cole already has his bags packed. Does McKenzie know something we all don’t know? He IS The Bobfather after all…