With the trade deadline closing in, the noise around the Pittsburgh Penguins is starting to pick up.
PITTSBURGH - The NHL trade deadline is just over a week away and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in need of a shake up.
The Penguins have been in need of a spark for months now, and as the deadline nears, more names get take off of the board.
General manager Ron Hextall has said talks have picked up around the team and his focus is likely fixing the bottom six forwards.
The Penguins, however, continue to be linked to defensemen that could be on the move; the most recent comes from David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period.
Pagnotta states that there has been a link between the Penguins and Anaheim Ducks defenseman Dmitry Kulikov.
The Ducks have made it known that Kulikov is available and they would like to move him prior to the deadline, but what could he offer the Penguins?
Kulikov is 32-years-old, making $2.25 million against the salary cap, and is in the final year of his contract.
His deal features a modified no-trade clause so a move to Pittsburgh would have to be approved by Kulikov himself.
Penguins have sent scouts to Ducks games already this season and Hextall is familiar with the organization.
Hextall pulled a deal with the Ducks at last year’s deadline to acquire Rickard Rakell, and it’s very well possible they link up for another trade.
In 57 games played this season, Kulikov has recorded three goals and 11 assists for 14 points and is the 24th ranked trade target on Pagnotta’s list.
Pagnotta has also linked the Penguins to Jakub Chychrun, Ivan Barbashev, and Cam Talbot.
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more!
- Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube
- Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins