The Pittsburgh Penguins are progressing through the season and we are reaching the halfway point.
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, there are a number of things on the Pittsburgh Penguins management’s minds. Are we in a position to buy or sell? Do we wanna make any moves at all?
Let’s take a look at some player roles that I think the Penguins should be looking for at the deadline.
1) A Third-line Centre
Looks like the story of the offseason is repeating itself once again. The Penguins needed a third-line centre after Nick Bonino left as a free agent. So what did we do? We went and picked up Riley Sheahan from the Detroit Red Wings.
However, it doesn’t look like Sheahan has filled the role like we needed him to. It looks like that third-line centre is still vacant, and we need to fill it soon if we want to have a strong third line. I mean, yeah we can rotate Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in that place, but nothing beats getting a proper third-line centre.
Pittsburgh Penguins
I don’t know who we’d go for at a time like right now, but this is definitely something we should look for.
2) Get Hunwick out of Pittsburgh
When the Penguins signed Matt Hunwick to replace the loss of Ron Hainsey during free agency, I knew we’d regret it. From my time watching the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, I knew he’s not the greatest defenceman and should be a 6th/7th defenceman at most.
Well now he’s not looking that good and honestly, I think it’s better if we flip him. He is currently signed to a three-year contract worth $2.25 million annually. He really is not worth that and I hope we can find a more serviceable defenceman than him.
3) A Strong Winger
Maybe I’m getting greedy here, but a strong winger can always be used efficiently. Someone like Toronto’s James Van Riemsdyk or even Ottawa’s Mike Hoffman. We may not need them but it’s nice to always wish for one.