Late last night a report from Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette broke that the Penguins were shopping Ian Cole. The 28-year old defenseman is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and hadn’t gotten anywhere in extension talks with Pittsburgh. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet added that Cole’s agent had been given permission to talk to other teams.
Now, Mackey has even more information on a potential Cole swap. In a piece from this morning, the Post-Gazette writer reports that the Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs are the leading suitors for Cole’s services, and that he won’t be traded to anyone in the Metropolitan Division. With the standings so tight this season, it’s understandable that Pittsburgh wouldn’t want to hand over a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
It’s that playoff success that makes Cole’s availability so surprising. With Kris Letang and others injured in last year’s Stanley Cup run, Cole was a huge part of the Penguins success, playing in all 25 games and registering nine points. This season though he’s seen his role diminished to the point where he plays fewer than 17 minutes a night.
Toronto has been clear in their pursuit of defense since last season, and even added another Penguins Stanley Cup champion in Ron Hainsey this offseason. Cole’s $2.1MM cap hit is a very palatable number for teams in their situation, pressed up close to the cap ceiling.
Colorado has been a surprising team this season even after trading Matt Duchene away, and find themselves at 11-9-2 through the early part of the year. Though they’ve added several young defensemen to the organization in the past few months, a player like Cole could add some stability if he came with a long-term extension.
For Vegas, it does seem like a poor match. Though they do have some of the assets that Pittsburgh would be after, they already have too many defensemen on the roster and in the organization and would need to move some out before taking on a player like Cole. The fact that he’s a free agent at the end of the season works with their salary structure, but buying at the deadline doesn’t make sense for their long-term health.
Pittsburgh has been scratching Cole recently because of the trade talks, and Mackey believes that the deal will be completed quickly. Whether it is with one of those three teams or someone else is unclear, and what the Penguins are looking for in return is still anyone’s guess. They have been looking for help at center all season, and players like Tyler Bozak, Carl Soderberg or Jon Marchessault could be potential options from the above trio. Obviously those three examples come with different trade values, but help down the middle seems like the most likely result of the deal for the Penguins.
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Why does Vegas need another D-Man?
Does seem a little off. Vegas must be looking at a multi player setup. Maybe Lindberg and McNabb type deal, for Cole +
I’ve thought for some time that the Pens will add James Neal at the deadline to help out balance out the lines with scoring threats. Cole would be a quality piece to send in exchange. Would probably take a pick on top though.
Vegas is first in their division so I doubt they move an important contributor like Neal for another expiring contract who also is a defensemen (given their depth there). The pick would have to be a good pick to be worth it in that scenario (likely a first rounder and possibly another mid round pick in addition). If Vegas starts falling out of contention I could see a deal like that happening but swapping expiring deals currently doesn’t make much sense for Vegas unless they’re getting something good in addition or just really like who they are getting back and would be looking to resign them.
The Avs have nothing to offer.
Erik Haula would be very interesting if Vegas is genuinely interested. VERY interesting.
It all might be smoke and mirrors to try to prod along the real deal…Cole to TOR for Bozak with the Leafs eating half of his salary. Cole makes $2.1 M while Bozak makes $4.2 M, so it’s a cap neutral deal if the Leafs retain 50% salary.
Don’t see Haula going anywhere. After the expansion draft, they actually signed him to a 3 year deal.
I could see a Bozak/Cole deal as it makes sense for both teams, but with both teams being in the East, I could see a potential problem from at least one club not wanting to help the other.
I don’t know why the Pens want to trade Cole. He’s a defenseman who actually plays defense, something the Pens need more of.
Bap, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Penguins trade him but as you said, why? Is there something happening between Cole & Crosby or Malkin? That is the only reason that they could have to even think about trading Cole when they need steady d- men. There was a short story here in a small Michigan paper that put this idea out there but, you know how the press can be.
In your opinion, how is Riley Sheahan faring in Pittsburgh? We hear absolutely nothing once a player moves on from Detroit.
Hi PK, so far I haven’t been impressed with Sheahan. He’s done very little. The Pens as a whole have been disappointing. They’re having trouble scoring 5 on 5 and the defense is giving up far too many odd man breaks.
I think the Pens will make a trade soon. I hope it isn’t Cole. He’s the only physical defenseman that we have.
Thanks for the update, Bap. It is still fairly early in the season so I hope Pittsburgh can get it turned around? I was hoping that a change of scenery would get Sheahan back on track. He had only one decent season with the Wings & then fell apart. Nobody seemed to figure out why this happened?
With his size, he should dominate in front of the net on most nights. The Wings had high hopes for him when he was here but Sheahan just seemed to shy away from the physical play that should have been part of his game.
When you get a chance, provide me with an update here & there because I am a fan of Pittsburgh, but only when they don’t play the Wings. Again, thanks Brother.