Tuesday Morning Trade Deadline Update As Penguins Get Ready To Face Buffalo

As the Pittsburgh Penguins get back in the regular season swing tonight in an important game against the Buffalo Sabres, the hockey world is in a strange groove.

After just finishing an exhibilarating gold medal game viewed by about 2/3 of every Canadian citizen -- and being the most watched hockey game in the US since the American team captured the Gold Medal after the 1980 Miracle on Ice win over the Soviet Union -- it's difficult to get back up for regular season games.

Especially with the trade deadline still looming a little more than 24 hours from now.

So, while the Penguins will be fortunate enough not to face USA Olympic MVP goaltender Ryan Miller tonight while he gets the night off in favor of backup Patrick Lalime (who, actually, has played exceedingly well against Pittsburgh this year), the focus remains on players coming and going around the league.

On the home front, a question remains whether Pens' GM Ray Shero -- who after bringing in defenseman Jordan Leopold yesterday -- will make another move.

Some of what I'm hearing suggests that the answer is no -- that Shero was looking for defensive depth first and foremost, and isn't going to stumble all over himself to acquire a forward.

Other sources indicate that the answer is yes -- he's still very much in the hunt for another player or two.

The most interesting to watch will be whether or not Shero moves a defenseman. Head Coach Dan Bylsma yesterday indicated that he plans to use Leopold in a top-4 role, and was quick to point out that Leopold was matched up shift-for-shift against Washington Capitals' star Alexander Ovechkin in a recent game.

I found those comments interesting. Leopold is a capable two-way guy and his skating ability aids him greatly at both ends, but let's face it -- Leopold hasn't carved out his reputation in this league in his own zone. I'm not surprised Blysma likes him because he's a good fit for the system, but to suggest that Leopold is great matchup for AO is overstating Leopold's overall abilities, I believe.

Blysma may have characterized Leopold as a top-4 guy, but if that's true, he's a #4. That's it.

AND he's an unrestricted free agent this summer, anyway.

Regardless, with the role it seems that Leopold will play in Pittsburgh, and with the depth the Penguins now have on the blueline, I think the odds are good that one of the top 7 is moved before tomorrow. And I feel that way even if Blysma and Shero both believe the team should have 8 quality defensemen for the post-season. But if a D-man goes, the questions are who and what the return will be.
Jay McKee is probably the most likely candidate to go at this point. The Chicago Blackhawks remain interested in him.

I'm still checking with soucres to see if Alex Goligoski may leave town in a longer-term deal for a winger. I said yesterday that Leopold is a very similar player to Goligoski (although Leopold is better in his own zone at this point of his career because of his experience). That suggests a deal could be out there, perhaps.

Despite Leopold's addition, Shero is believed to still be taking a hard look at Nashville Predators' defensive defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who is almost sure to have a new home by tomorrow after the Preds' gave up a 2nd round pick to acquire defenseman Dennis Grebeshkov from the Edmonton Oilers yesterday.

The Boston Bruins -- who have a ton of extra draft picks to play with -- and the Philadelphia Flyers are said to be very much in the hunt with Pittsburgh for Hamhuis.

Coincidentally, both the Bruins and Flyers are also said to be at the top of the buyer list with Pittsburgh on a few other guys -- Columbus Blue Jackets' RW Raffi Torres and Carolina Hurricanes LW Ray Whitney.

Torres still remains the Penguins' focus up front. If the Penguins can't land him, they may look in Whitney's direction if -- as I said yesterday -- Carolina's asking price of a first round pick comes down. There's probably no better than a 50/50 shot of that happening at this point, though. Because Whitney has a no-trade clause, much will revolve around where Whitney wants to go. I said yesterday that Pittsburgh was on his short list of teams he'd accept a deal to, so we'll see where that goes.

That's where the burners remain the hottest for Shero right now .......

One thing is for sure. If Shero is going to add another player of note before tomorrow, he's probably going to have to move players to do it, because with the addition of Leopold and his 1.75 million dollar a year salary, the Penguins are only about $300,00 under the cap.

Shero has said that he's looking to add to his team and not subtract from it, if possible, but it's hard to imagine he won't be looking to give himself more wiggle room after doing nothing but add salary yesterday.

That's where the the potential move of a guy like McKee -- or forward Ruslan Fedotenko -- comes into play.

That's the latest. I'll have more later today.