The Daily: Are the Penguins sellers?; Habs Interested in Zegras

The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t been sellers at the NHL trade deadline since 2006.  You certainly are not going to see Kyle Dubas move Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin or Kris Letang before the March 8 NHL deadline.

But Dubas was clear Wednesday that it’s not business as usual this trade deadline. With regard to re-signing Jake Guentzel, Dubas said:

“It’s obviously at the forefront … I think the way our whole strategy plays out in the next two-and-a-half weeks, how our team continues to play, will dictate the answer at the trade deadline We’ll continue to have those discussions leading up to that and then afterward. But I would say I understand how valuable he’s been as a teammate, a person in the community, and as a contributor helping this team win a Stanley Cup. So, it’s important, but we have to take stock of where we are at and be realistic about the fact that one of the issues we have is a need to get younger. We have a lot of guys in their 30s signed. Some of them are the best players in the history of the franchise.”

PHN’s Dan Kingerski took a stab at reading between the lines on Dubas words.

“Those words could be heard and read a few different ways,” Kingerski wrote, “but the words after “but” sure seemed to indicate that Guentzel will not be a Penguins winger next season, and if the team isn’t in the playoff race very soon, he won’t be a Penguins winger past March 8.”

Dubas said he’s not going to give up any draft capital in the name at the deadline. And if he wants to get younger, it could certainly mean he moves some veterans for prospects or additional draft picks.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Red Wings rewarded Michael Rasmussen’s development into a strong, two-way forward by giving him a four-year contract extension.
• Here’s what Detroit’s playoff rivals may do at the trade deadline. The New Jersey Devils likely will add a goalie.
• Former Red Wings player Valtteri Filppula made hockey history on Wednesday.
• Why has former Detroit player Tyler Bertuzzi‘s offensive numbers so low?  And how did Anthony Mantha rehabilitate his game in Washington?

Red Wings Next Game

Alex Lyon will be the starting goaltender for the Red Wings tonight when they play the Colorado Avalanche. Klim Kostin and Justin Holl will remain the healthy scratches. According to puckmoney.com, the Red Wings have a 52.3% chance of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: On Wednesday morning, the Boston Bruins announced that defenseman Hampus Lindholm will be out “week to week” with a lower body injury, The media believes it is a knee issue. On Wednesday night, Boston defenseman Matt Grzelcyk went out with an injury.

Buffalo: Jason Moser explores the Buffalo Sabres trade fit with the Colorado Avalanche.

Montreal:  The Montreal Canadiens reportedly have interest in Anaheim forward Trevor Zegras.

New Jersey: If the Pittsburgh Penguins are sellers, what would it mean for the New Jersey Devils?