from Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail,

Shero made a big push for reinforcements at last year’s trading deadline, in the hopes of getting the Penguins over the top, but in an extensive conversation with him the other day in Edmonton, it didn’t sound as if he wanted to go down that path again, if at all possible. Shero essentially said that you can’t continue to deplete your organization of young assets or the chance to replace young assets through the draft every single year at the deadline.

And while he didn’t get up a single top prospect in moves that landed him Jarome Iginla, Brendan Morrow and others, you get the sense that if the Penguins have all remaining hands on deck through Mar.5, they may not be all that active this year at the deadline, even though there is currently a big gap on Crosby’s right side, thanks to the season-ending injury to Pascal Dupuis. For the moment, minor-league call-up Brian Gibbons is getting a crack at playing with Crosby and Chris Kunitz. Physically, Gibbons is cut from the Brian Gionta mold – tiny, but quick and skilled. Gibbons was leading the baby Penguins in scoring when he got the call and though his ice time has varied, and had a modest six points in his first 13 games, playing just over 11 minutes per night.

Unlike last season, where there was a limited supply of rental players available at the trading deadline, this year, the shopping list for any GM looking for reinforcements will be deeper – the likes of Ales Hemsky (Edmonton), Michael Cammalleri (Calgary) or Matt Moulson (Buffalo) all likely will be offered into the market. On paper, Hemsky looks as if he could be a fit on either of the Penguins’ top lines, a skilled and competitive player with a deep desire to win. Cammalleri had a sensational series for the Montreal Canadiens when they knocked off the Penguins in the second round of the 2010 playoffs and they have a good scouting report on Moulson, having faced him for years now when they played the New York Islanders.

more plust other NHL topics...