Trade Deadline Update: Pens Pushing for D-Man, Blueger Demoted

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa — Monday, the Pittsburgh Penguins demoted forward Teddy Blueger to the Wilkes-Barre / Scranton Penguins. It was not simply a paper transaction.

A source close to the Penguins front office confirmed to Pittsburgh Hockey Now the move is not a paper move but the Penguins needed the roster spot. The team is pushing hard to add a defenseman from outside the organization.

The AHL playoff roster deadline is 3 p.m. and the Penguins have no plans to recall a defenseman before then. Any defenseman recalls will be on an as-needed or emergency basis.

The source also pointed to the Florida Panthers as a team which may be willing to shed a defenseman at a reasonable cost. The Penguins have just over $2.8 million of salary cap space.

Mark Pysyk would fit without a further move from the Penguins.