Jan Rutta has been a perfectly fine 3rd pair defenseman, but with the flat salary cap and Chad Ruhwedel sitting in the stands, was it unnecessary to sign him? The NHL’s trade deadline is under a month away and the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for some sort of change to give them the right push. General manager Ron Hextall said that talks are picking up around the Penguins and he is looking for a move, but he’s remaining cautious with his decision making. While Hextall looks around for the right deal, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff believes Pittsburgh is among the perfect landing spots for a forward in need of new surroundings. Brock Boeser has been rumored to be on his way out of Vancouver all season now, and the Canucks have begun making their moves. The Penguins were listed as potential fits for a number of reasons, and the first one is the cost. Hextall said during a press conference that he doesn’t plan on moving out the Penguins upcoming first round pick (in order to shed salary), but Seravalli doesn’t think Boeser will even cost that much. The Penguins do, however, have their second round pick and another piece that might be attractive to former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford. The Canucks might be in hot water with Rutherford at the helm, but he has made a move to acquire Kasperi Kapanen before and he might do it again. Other pieces would have to be involved on the Penguins end to make the money work for both sides, but Rutherford knows most of Pittsburgh’s roster and NHL GM’s love their guys. Seravalli also believes that the Penguins could benefit from the multiple years remaining on Boeser’s current contract. With Brian Dumoulin and Jason Zucker possibly leaving in the offseason, that opens up all kinds of cap space for the Penguins. Boeser has two years left on his contract following the 2022-23 season and makes just north of $6 million. It’s a hefty price tag, but the potential is there for Boeser to blossom into a solid forward in Pittsburgh. Seravalli did list six other teams [http://dailyfaceoff.com/news/which-team-will-bet-on-canucks-brock-boeser-to-rejuvenate-his-career-at-the-trade-deadline] that could be potential fits, but the Penguins are in need of the most help. Hextall says that talks are picking up, but the right move needs to be made quickly. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Penguins Hope to Reset, End Volatility After Break [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-reset-end-volatility-after-break] Penguins Should Still Look at Trading First Round Pick [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-still-look-trading-first-round-pick] Penguins Shift Lines Upon Return From Break [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-shift-lines-return-break] Ron Hextall Says Penguins Trade Talks Are Picking Up [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/ron-hextall-pittsburgh-penguins-trade-talks-picking-up] Kasperi Kapanen, Josh Archibald Game-Time Decisions for Penguins [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/kasperi-kapanen-josh-archibald-game-time-decisions-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined
