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Penguins News Roundup 2/9/18: Evander Kane, Scouts in Attendance

Assistant GM Jason Karmanos spotted at Sabres game. Derek Clancy still out west.

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By Michael Miller (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0]

6:58 p.m: Scouts in attendance tonight are a mixed bag of Western Conference teams which sent pro scouts and the Carolina Hurricanes, which sent management.

The Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks sent one pro scout each, and the Colorado Avalanche sent a pair of pro scouts. The Stars play the Sharks next week, but neither the Penguins nor Stars will play the Avalanche again this season.

However, Joe Nieuwendyk is also in attendance. Nieuwendyk, the former Dallas Stars GM, is a scout and advisor with the Carolina Hurricanes. His presence is bound to raise eyebrows as word leaked yesterday that Hurricanes left winger Jeff Skinner could be available.

Skinner, 25, has one more year left on his contract with a $5.725 million AAV. This season, Skinner has 31 points (15g, 16a) in 54 games. He is owed $1.75 million for the rest of this season.

12:07 p.m: Per Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, Carter Rowney and Conor Sheary are game-time decisions.

11:59 a.m: No surprise, Matt Murray will start in net.

7:00 a.m: The Pittsburgh Penguins scouts have been busy.

Leading up to the Feb. 26 trade deadline, various rumors have popped up and been dispelled. However, Pittsburgh Hockey Now can confirm Derek Clancy, the Penguins’ Director of Professional Scouting, has been actively scouting the L.A. Kings organization.

Last weekend, Clancy observed a pair of Ontario Reign (AHL) contests. Wednesday night, Clancy scouted the L.A. Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers contest.

Our Dan Kingerski has reported that Penguins VP of Hockey Operations Jason Karmanos scouted the Buffalo Sabres as recently as Saturday. Kingerski also reports one of the Penguins professional scouts attended the Sabres’ 4-3 win over the Islanders on Thursday night.

One source told Pittsburgh Hockey Now, the Penguins “have been busy here.”

The Penguins are believed to be closely watching left wing Evander Kane, who has not scored a goal or point in his last 14 games. Last night, Kane had two shots on goal and dished three hits, but no points.

Kane, 26, will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. His cap hit is $5.25 million, but he is owed just over $1.6 million for the remainder of the season.

The Penguins have about $800,000 left under the salary cap, according to Jim Rutherford on a recent interview on 93.7 The Fan.

The L.A. Kings and Winnipeg Jets stopped scouting the Penguins after the Conor Sheary injury, although Sheary was back at practice Thursday. Pittsburgh Hockey Now will report if the Jets return on Friday in Dallas. Sheary returned to practice, Thursday, and expects to play this weekend.

At 11 a.m., Pittsburgh Hockey Now will publish John Perrotto‘s feature on the Penguins annual father’s trip. John also found out a Penguin father grew up in Crafton. Check back later for the article and often for news updates to this running feed.