Rumor roundup: Pens in the market for high-end forward

A few big names linked to Pittsburgh.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Rumor roundup: Pens in the market for high-end forward
KeyStone Press

The Pittsburgh Penguins have constantly been at the center of big deals, especially since Jim Rutherford took over as general manager. 

They were in hot pursuit of Matt Duchene but could not put the pieces together to make that trade happen.

In Elliotte Friedman's latest edition of "31 thoughts", he mentioned that Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens is a name that Rutherford is keeping an eye on. Canadiens' GM Marc Bergevin is unlikely to deal him, or any other star player for that matter, until he knows his team is out of playoff contention. As it stands, they have about a 2.5% chance of making the playoffs based on historical trends.

Pacioretty ranks among the league's best scorers over the last half decade, and on Sidney Crosby's wing could be absolutely lethal with his elite release.

Furthermore, Carl Hagelin figures to be on the trading block and could be a piece involved in a deal bringing back a more productive forward. Patric Hornqvist is set to be a UFA after this season, and depending on the path this season takes, he might be dangled as well around trade deadline - but the hope is they find a way to give him a new deal.

The Penguins are also in the market for a more reliable backup to Matt Murray after the Antti Niemi experiment failed, so that's another situation to keep an eye on.

Ultimately, with Riley Sheahan yet to make an impact with the team, it is likely Rutherford acts on the trade market sooner rather than later.

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