Pittsburgh Penguins: Could Ian Cole Be Traded This Week?
A quarter of the way through the season and the Pittsburgh Penguins have not made any moves to obtain a solid third line center.
Though on October 21 the Pittsburgh Penguins traded away Scott Wilson and a fifth-round pick for Riley Sheahan and a fifth-round pick, Sheahan is not the answer. Sheahan has six points (1-5-6) in 17 games with the Penguins. Although Sheahan has been solid for the Penguins, he fits more as a fourth line center than a third line center.
Finding a third line option is what the Penguins need to start focusing on.
From recent talks, we have heard that both the Montréal Canadians and the Toronto Maple Leafs have in interest in defenseman Ian Cole.
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Ian Cole has sat out the previous three games for the Penguins because of trade rumors. Cole takes so many hits that the Penguins are afraid that if they play him, he could get injured and that could lower his trade value.
Cole is in the last year of his contract of $2.1 million per year before he becomes an unrestricted free agent. One of the reasons the Penguins are looking to push him out the door is, after his contract is up, they know they will not be able to afford him.
Cole has been nothing less of brilliant since coming to Pittsburgh in 2015. Cole helped and became a crucial part of the Penguins repeat Stanley Cup championships. Cole scored a career high 26 points in 2016-2017. Points are not what he is known for though. Cole is a warrior on the ice, constantly leading the team in blocked shots, and time on the top penalty kill unit.
Possible Deals
Without being in the seat of a GM it is hard to tell what Ian Cole is worth. He means a lot to the team that resides in the Steel City so his value is going to help the Penguins obtain that third line center.
Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a couple of pieces away from becoming serious contenders this year and even in the next couple of years. With Freddy Andersen showing the Maple Leafs he is a reliable net minder, the problem is no longer between the pipes. A strong, shot-blocking defenseman is what they need. Cole would be a good fit for the Maple Leafs and he could help them make it out of the first round of the play-offs this year.
Tyler Bozak could be a part of what the Penguins receive in the trade. Of course the trade would not be player for player do the Penguins could send over a prospect and most-likely a high draft pick.
Montréal
The Canadians have struggles so far this year. With Carey Price being injured for the beginning of the season and the offense not being strong, the Canadians need a strong defense to keep up with the rest of the league.
We have heard that the Penguins have serious interest in center Alex Galchenyuk. Galchenyuk could be the third line center that the penguins are looking for. Galchenyuk can work that second power play unit and help out on the penalty as well. Like Bozak, Galchenyuk is worth more than Cole. In order to receive Galchenyuk, the Penguins could give up Cole, Sebastian-Dea and a draft pick. A trade like this could benefit both teams and help the Penguins get back to the eastern conference finals.