Rumors of the Penguins potentially trading away a former first round draft pick.

The Pittsburgh Penguins may be contemplating the possibility of trading away one of their former first round draft choices.

The emergence of Justin Schultz and Ian Cole as a very solid defensive pairing that can produce offensively as well has left the Penguins little room to maneuver on the blue line. With only six spots available on the roster for defenseman 22-year-old Derrick Pouliot has been spending a great deal of time on the sidelines, partially due to injury, and it's starting to wear on the frustrated young man.

“There’s not even an opportunity for me to play on (injured reserve),” Pouliot said as per Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette. “It kind of sucks. I’m not sure how much longer (I’ll be out) or what’s the plan.”

[pub]

There have bee unsubstantiated rumors of a potential trade involving Pouliot, but one has to imagine that the Penguins have at least considered the possibility of moving him in their current predicament. Pouliot himself acknowledged the possibility in his recent comments to the media.

“I’m not too sure (of what the future holds),” Pouliot said. “We’ll have to see where things go down the road here. Trades happen. You never know what could unfold.”