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NHL Trade Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins on verge of major shakeup

By Dave Stevenson

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Pittsburgh Penguins Left Wing Conor Sheary (43) skates during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche on December 11, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 11: Pittsburgh Penguins Left Wing Conor Sheary (43) skates during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche on December 11, 2017, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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If things don’t get better for the Pittsburgh Penguins soon, they could shake things up in the NHL Trade Rumors market.

It’s hard being the Stanley Cup champions. Especially if you’re the Pittsburgh Penguins. With expectations high and Sidney Crosby declaring a three-peat is their ultimate goal, the Pens have failed to live up to their hype. The Penguins aren’t falling by on their success, being active in the NHL Trade Rumors market. They’ve already traded for Riley Sheahan.

As of Dec. 14, the Pens are out of a playoff spot. They’re 5-5-0 over their previous 10 games. The Penguins have allowed 103 goals, tying them with the Buffalo Sabres for the fourth most in the NHL. While their 94 goals scored puts them just outside the top 10, their 45 goals at even strength are the third-fewest in the league.

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Pittsburgh has more issues to worry about than their less than satisfactory backup goaltending. And general manager Jim Rutherford is aware of it.

"“We’re good enough to be better than we’re doing. Hopefully that’s the way it goes here in the next little while. If it doesn’t, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that a major trade would come out of this.”"

Whatever “major move” the Penguins make, it should be hard to make. Anything huge would presumably take up cap space, something the Pens don’t have much of. In other words, any move likely means a roster player is heading out. Probably one who’s making a significant salary.

Forward Carl Hagelin and Ian Cole are just two options. Though considering the former has just five points in 31 games while the latter has been a regular healthy scratch, the return wouldn’t count as “major”. Perhaps upcoming free agent Patric Hornqvist will be shipped out?

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Phil Kessel are safe. Justin Schultz likely is too. Matt Murray can be presumed to be about as untouchable as it gets. But anyone else seems to be on the market. The Penguins seem to be especially interested in getting a center.

"“We need more depth at our center ice position, to a point where we can get more production.”"

Next: 3 Bold Predictions For The Penguins

Things are looking dire for Pittsburgh. Rutherford has a quality trade record with the Penguins if you ignore the Ryan Reaves madness. He’s not afraid to pull the trigger, so his threats likely aren’t empty.

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