Say, the Penguins could sure use a skill winger...

From the NY Post:

The 39-year-old unsigned right wing who'd been advised for months by GM Glen Sather to "sit tight" in anticipation of both a roster spot and salary-cap space opening up to create an avenue for his return to Broadway, Shanahan is no longer doing so.

Nearly four months after becoming a free agent, Shanahan is putting himself
onto the open market.

"I've told Rick [Curran] that I can no longer wait and that it's time to move
on," Shanahan, referring to his agent, told The Post this afternoon. "Until now,
Rick has been under instructions to tell inquiring teams that my focus was on
re-signing with the New York Rangers, and that I was not accepting any other
offers.

"That has changed."

Sure, you can point to the fact that Shanahan is turning 40 years old in January and that's valid. You can also mention how Shanahan's point totals have steadily fallen in the three seasons following the lockout [81 to 62 to 42] and that's another point taken.

But dude's still scored 92 goals in the past three seasons. He's still got the shot and he did score 11 PPG last year. At this point of his career he is a shell of his former power forward self, but he's got 650 goals and 690 assists for a reason. Could he play a full season on the first or second line? No.

But would he be a better option for situational use on a top line (and some rest) while taking a regular power play shift.

Giving a call to inquire about Brendan Shanahan is a no-brainer. He got a first hand look in the playoffs last spring about how great the Pens can be. Join us, Brendan, join us.

Crosby back tonight?

Apologies in advance for the brief game preview...It's been a long weekend and the flu bug has hit on top of that.

--The PG reported today that Sidney Crosby took a full practice in a regular jersey (centering Colby Armstrong and Ryan Malone). This website says their sources say that Crosby could possibly be back in the lineup tonight. Time will tell. The linked website is right with their "inside" information less often than a broken clock, so take it with a huge grain of salt.
--Erik Christensen is out tonight with a shoulder injury but said to be day-to-day. The Kris Beech experience, round 2 hit a huge delay when he broke his wrist.
--Ty Conklin is expected in net tonight for the Pens.
--Sabres player to keep an eye on: Derek Roy. He's got 17 points in the past 14 games, quite a streak there.
--The Rangers just polished off a win over the San Jose Sharks, so now they're up to 67 points in the standings, just 2 behind the Penguins. Pittsburgh does have two games in hand over NYR however.

Trade Season

Today's big Ottawa-Carolina transaction may have just opened up the trade deadline season.

Along with the NHL Entry Draft, the deadline day wheelings and dealings may be our 2nd favorite non-gameplay hockey event. Here at TST we've compiled a deep analysis of how trade deadline deals (namely rentals) have effected teams over the past couple years, both the buyers and sellers. We also have a part 2 that shows any moves past Stanley Cup Champions have made. Expect those to be out next week.

For now, here's a list of players that could be changing locations by month's end that we wouldn't mind seeing in the black and vegas gold. Keep in mind there's a myriad of complications (no trade clauses, other team demanding too much in return, etc) that could make a lot of these guys pipe dreams. But if we were running a hockey team---and the last time we checked, no such luck, here's a list of guys that would definitely be on the radar to improve a contender, especially one with the needs of the Penguins.

We're not going to include guys like Hossa, Sundin or Jokinen....While they'd no doubt be terrific acquisitions they don't seem likely to wind up in Pittsburgh. Also Buffalo may well trade Brian Campbell but the Penguins don't need a puck moving defenseman, they need muscle so it doesn't make sense. Think of this as a realistic wishlist. Also, we're going to only point out teams that are likely to be sellers at the deadline, or if they have an impending UFA they might move.

**Also, remember that, to this point contracts are about 2/3 of the way paid, since the season is about 2/3 of the way completed. So if the Penguins pick up someone with a salary of $5 million, they only have to pay the balance of the contract which would add about $1.66 million to the payroll (minus of course any salaries they end up trading). It's been reported the Penguins do have a couple million within their team budget to rise, so seemingly it'll be on Shero, and not the accountants to make this work.**


Columbus
Mike Peca: 43 games, 4 goals 21 assists, -1....Winning 55.4% of his faceoffs. Salary is $1.3 million, UFA at season's end.
Adam Foote: $4.6 million salary, UFA at end of the year

Edmonton
Steve Staios: 57 gp, 6g, 5a, -12, 56 hits, 126 blocked shots. Signed for two more seasons after this one (cap hit of $2.7 million). Is 33 years old and would make a good defensive defenseman on a contender.

Los Angeles
Rob Blake
Jaroslav Modry: 57gp, 1g 2a, -2, 34 hits, 91 blocked shots...36 years old, $1.2 million dollar contract and a UFA at season's end
Dan Cloutier: (just seeing if you're paying attention!)

New York Islanders
Mike Sillinger: 52 gp, 14g, 10a, -10, winning 56.3% of faceoffs...Is 36 years old and signed next year for $2.3 million
Miroslav Satan: 54gp, 11g 19a, -4....UFA at season's end ($4.5 million salary this season).

If the Penguins want another skilled winger for Crosby and Malkin, this could be a guy to watch for. The Islanders and Penguins might make weary trade partners, being as they're division rivals but if Pittsburgh offers them a chance to improve themselves, the Islanders have little choice but to make the deal. These teams might not like each other, but it's not Pittsburgh/Philly or NYR/NYI type hate.

St. Louis Blues
Barrett Jackman: 50 gp, 1g, 4a, -16, 21:51 TOI, 95 hits, 81 blocked shots...$2.2 million salary, UFA at season's end.

It's been reported in the media that extention talks have broken down between the Blues and Jackman's camp, a major stickng point on money. It looks like Jackman might test the open market, and that's a good idea because NHL teams love physical defensemen entering the prime of their careers. If the Blues (2-6-2 in last ten games) continue to slip down the standings the very savvy John Davidson might be inclined to at least get something in return for the former Calder trophy winner.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Vincent Prospal: 56gp, 23g, 28a, -6. $1.9 salary, set to be a UFA in July

Perhaps the most skilled forward that might be a realistic option for the Pens. But even though Tampa is 15th place in the East, they're only 7 points (and a game in hand) back on the Caps. And they're 6-3-1 in the past 10, so it's not as if they've rolled over for dead just yet. So it's still feasible that the Lightning might not be the sellers they were thought to have been even a week ago.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Hal Gill



That's it, that's the list, have at it.

Target: Adam Foote?

It's no secret that the Blue Jacket's have had several scouts at Penguins game. Even though it seems when this was reported it was a game in Pittburgh (short trip from Columbus) and the Pens were playing the Rangers (another team the BJ's have reportedly scouted a lot, spawning the David Vyborny for Petr Prucha rumors).

Just off of needs, one transaction that would make sense for the Pens would be inquiring about Adam Foote. He's a great defensive defenseman, a leader, has won a Cup and as tough as they come; which we all know are traits and attributes in high demand this time of year for contenders.

But hold the phone; thanks to a series of moves over the past year or so (the firing of incompetant GM Don McLean, the hiring of Ken Hitchcock and his installation of his great system) the BJ's have finally become a competitive team. With so many teams so close to being in playoff contention, Columbus isn't your typical "seller" this season; less than five teams are at this point.

The clock is ticking however, with 27 games remaining the Jackets sit four points out of the playoffs, with perhaps more importantly three teams to climb over and two others right on their heald. Plus we're not T-3 weeks to the trading deadline. BJ GM Scott Howson has some decisions to make and he spelled out the specific factors that will lead to dealing or keeping Foote, a UFA to be.

1. The state of team – is it surging or slumping
2. Health of the team – can the Jackets realistically make a run with the players in place
3. Standings
4. How many teams must they leap frog to get to the final spot.

We've outlined points #3 and #4, as far as #1 goes they're 4-5-1 over the past 10 games, which is not going to get it done when two of the teams they need to beat out (Phoenix 5-2-3, Nashville 7-2-1) are clicking at a significantly better pace.

Their health, for now, seems fine; they just added former Penguins leading scorer Dick Tarnstrom to their defensive core and it seems their breakout goalie sensation Pascal Leclaire could be back in the net as soon as Saturday. Leclaire went down the other night against Washington with a neck sprain when his crease got crashed, with a little help from a BJ dman. If Leclaire's prognosis was worse, the health becomes a huge issue, but it appears they dodge a bullet there and will not be in trouble.

It's also important to note that Foote is their captain and--like so many veterans, holds a no-trade clause so any trade will have to be approved by him before it can be completed.

Just another option to think about for Pens fans and a situation in Ohio to keep half an eye on. They have a pretty critical matchup tonight against the surprisingly upstart Coyotes.

(hat-tip to kuklaskorner for the link)