Do the Pittsburgh Penguins have their eye on a couple of local natives?
Everyone is aware that the NHL trade deadline is days away and the Pittsburgh Penguins have stood pat for too long.
While the Penguins continue to look around for additions down the stretch, their list of possible links grows.
The two newest players possibly in general manager Ron Hextall’s sight have something in common; they can both be considered Pittsburgh-area natives.
David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period suggested that the Penguins have been linked to both John Gibson and Sam Lafferty.
Gibson has been linked to the Penguins for multiple seasons now and with the uncertainty that has grown with Tristan Jarry, it makes more sense than ever.
The Penguins like Jarry a lot and are likely going to stick with him, but it’s understandable why the Penguins might want to give Gibson a call.
Gibson is an outsanding goalie who has spent the majority of his career on a non-playoff caliber Anaheim Ducks.
Twice, Gibson has lead the league in losses, but had a terrible Ducks team in front of him.
Give Gibson a better team and there’s a real chance he strikes gold in the back nine of his career.
This also isn’t the first goalie the Penguins have been linked to, as Pagnotta recently linked them to Cam Talbot.
In the case of Lafferty, he isn’t exactly from Pittsburgh proper, rather Hollidaysburg right outside of Altoona, but that’s close enough for Yinzer’s sake.
Lafferty’s trade stock has gone through the roof for the season he’s putting together with the Chicago Blackhawks.
In 51 games this season, Lafferty has played 51 games and recorded career-high numbers in goals (10), assists (11), and points (21).
That doesn’t sound like much, but that could be a huge addition to the Penguins depth.
If he’s able to maintain that pace in Pittsburgh, at least; in his 94 games played with the Penguins, he only hit six goals and 15 assists for 21 points.
Lafferty, along with Patrick Kane, were recently held from the Blackhawks lineup for ‘roster management’ reasons.
The Pittsburgh-area native is likely on the move soon; could it be a return to the Penguins?
UPDATE: Lafferty has since been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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