Penguins Trade Watch: More Smoke with Anaheim

The Pittsburgh Penguins fortunes have not improved since the acquisition of Tanner Pearson, last Wednesday. Two more losses including 40 minutes of bad hockey against the Ottawa Senators have done nothing to quell the doubts and fears about the team which were expressed by Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. The Penguins trade rumors and watch is in full effect and will not quiet until more deals or more victories follow.

Last week, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman told a Vancouver radio station that he believed the Penguins were in talks or had talks with Anaheim prior to the Pearson for Carl Hagelin deal.

Sunday, the Penguins Director of Pro Scouting, Derek Clancey was in attendance at the Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche game in Anaheim. Clancey was joined by Dave Taylor, the St Louis Blues V.P. of Hockey Operations and Troy Brodie, the Director of Pro Scouting for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Winnipeg, Buffalo, and Washington sent scouts to the game, also.

Anaheim is dealing with the indefinite loss of top defenseman Cam Fowler who underwent surgery for facial fractures and it is widely speculated Anaheim is also looking to shake up their roster.

Anaheim third line center Adam Henrique should be familiar to the Penguins, as a long time New Jersey Devil. Henrique has nine points this season (4g 5a). Anaheim also has a pair of right-handed defensemen, Brandon Montour and Josh Manson. Both had career years, last season. Both are in their mid-20s and scored more than 30 points last season.

However, Montour has only six points this season and Manson has only four points.

Anaheim is currently outside the playoff seedings and their leading scorer, Rickard Rackell has just 13 points. The Penguins are currently last in the Metro Division and tied for last in the Eastern Conference after losing eight of their last nine games.