Rutherford tries to deny Cole's trade rumors

You have all heard Ian Cole's name surfaced in trade chatter in the last few days, but one important person in the process is not sure how it got there. Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said Tuesday he is not sure how it landed in the rumor mill. 

“I think sometimes you guys make it up as you go,” Sullivan told the media Tuesday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I don’t know where this stuff comes from."

The Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette was the first to report on Monday that the Pens were  actively shopping the 28-year-old defenseman. 

“Whether I am or I’m not (trying to make a move), I wouldn’t tell anybody,” Rutherford said.

The rumor surfaced when Cole was a healthy scratch in three straight games for the Penguins. But Rutherford does not want anyone to read into this. 

“He’s part of our team,” Rutherford said of Cole. “He’s preparing to play when he’s asked to play next.

“Some of this is no different than what’s happened early in his career with us, where the coach decided to not play him, then he comes back and plays. That’s the way I view it at this point.”

Like most teams, the Pens would only listen to offers on Cole if they provide an excellent return. The Pens are not looking to shop Cole only because he is a pending free agent.