Rangers Shut Out Penguins, 4-0, As The Trading Begins

If the fragile Penguins, losers of 10 of their last 14 overall, and winners of only 1 of their last 14 in Madison Square Garden where they played the Rangers last night, were to blueprint how their game absolutely should NOT start, it probably would include these components:

1) Don't give up a goal early; and

2) Don't fail to cash in on an extended 2-man advantage

True to their slump, the Penguins did both on their way to a 4-0 whitewashing by the Rangers last night, giving up a goal 1 minute into the game after defenseman Mark Eaton failed to clear the puck out of the Penguin zone, and continuing their struggles on the man-advantage by blowing a long 5-on-3 power play in the first period when they had a chance to get back into things.

The Penguins, in fact, finished with another 0-for on the power play, failing to score in EIGHT chances.

Although the first New York goal by Nigel Daws was all they needed, defenseman Paul Mara and forwards Chris Drury and Scott Gomez (EN) also scored for the Rangers.

New York netminder Henrik Lundqvist -- looking good against Pittsburgh as always -- stopped every shot he faced.

Marc-Andre Fleury took another loss for the Penguins.

I hate to say it, but the Penguins have another opportunity to continue their slump tonight against the Atlanta Thrashers at Mellon Arena, where they've been particularly awful of late.

Meanwhile, as things continue to spiral into the toilet for Pittsburgh, the Penguins have made a trade. Although it's nothing more than a minor deal, it could be the sign of what's to come. They dealt minor-league defenseman T.J. Kemp to Montreal for a conditional draft pick.

Meanwhile, there are increasing rumors of change throughout the team. Here is some of what I have been hearing.

Michel Therrein will soon be replaced -- for either former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn or former Carolina Hurricanes coach Peter Laviolette.

The Penguins are close to making a deal with the Nashville Predators for forward and leading scorer J.P. Dumont and/or up-and-coming defenseman Ville Koistenen.

Other names I have heard been linked to the Penguins in trade rumors include Columbus Blue Jackets star winger Rick Nash, Toronto Maple Leafs center Nik Antropov (although I suspect he's much more likely to soon be traded to Columbus, who have been chasing him very aggressively), and Chicago Blackhawks winger Martin Havlat.

Ray Shero yesterday indicated that he's not looking to make a deal, and that he believes in the current group. Of course, that's what you'd expect him to say. Shero does have a history of being patient and looking to build for the long term, but he's also never had as talented a group as he has in Pittsburgh -- and has never been as close to winning the Stanley Cup as he was last season. His trade for Marion Hossa at last year's trade deadline shows that, even though he appreciates the development of a yearly contender, he has some affection for the prospect of winning now. I'm anxious to see what he does.

Personally, I don't think Therrein is going to be removed anytime soon. If the Penguins continue to falter for the next 4-6 weeks, I might feel differently.

I also doubt that we'll see Nash in a Penguin uniform anytime soon. For as much as I'd like to see him, it would take a ransom and then some to take him from the Blue Jackets -- even if he's going to be an UFA after next season. Look for Columbus to lock him up long term this offseason.

Havlat would be a desperation addition to try and get a scorer for Sidney Crosby. There's no question that's something the Penguins need, but I don't see Havlat being that guy. He's been decent for the Blackhawks this season, but gets paid 6+ million for it and that's probably more than the Penguins can take on at this point.

The most realistic thing I have heard the last few days is the Penguins chasing down J.P. Dumont. I thought the Penguins might take a look at him as a reasonably priced free-agent last offseason. I felt at the time that Dumont was someone that could outperform the 2.5/3 million dollar salary range he would likely demand. As it turns out, he is Nashville's leading scorer this year with 31 points in 38 games, although he only has 7 goals. He's certainly not the top-tier winger which Pittsburgh so desperately needs, but the Penguins are struggling on offense and Dumont would be a good scoring option to add to the club. Everyone knows about Ray Shero's connection with the Predators organization, and that always gives Pittsburgh to Nashville rumors some teeth.

I'll be posting a Penguins/Thrashers recap tomorrow, and within another day or two, will post an analysis of the first half of the Penguins season.

Beware. It might not be pretty.