A collection of all the latest news from around the world of hockey:
The Oilers have begun stockpiling picks, moving Teddy Purcell to the Florida Panthers [Edmonton Journal], and beleaguered defenceman Justin Schultz to Pittsburgh. [HockeyBuzz]. Let’s hope for the kid’s sake that he can find his game again. [Today’s Slap Shot]
Peter Chiarelli spoke about his pre-deadline dealings. [National Post]
Justin Schultz will wear #4 for the Penguins.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 28, 2016
And so the Schultz era begins in Pittsburgh. This trade was a bad one for the Penguins for several reasons. Schultz isn’t good at defending. It’s a widely known fact, to everyone except Jim Rutherford apparently. The Pens don’t exactly have a stifling defensive system, and they aren’t the kind of team where a player like Schultz, who has completely lost his confidence, can be sheltered. Yes, he is a good puck mover. And he has the tools to be a really good offensive contributor. But if the Pens needed anything, it was better defenders. In their minds, he will help their transition game. Unfortunately, he has to actually have the puck under control in order to pass it to his forwards, and he spends most of the time out of position, chasing the play or losing his man.
The Penguins are the least self-aware team I’ve ever seen. Yes they’ve had injuries, but with a very talented lineup they find themselves clinging to the final playoff spot. They aren’t a Cup contender. They are far too inconsistent, unless you’re talking about their ability to generate offence, which consistently fires blanks at the worst times. Trading another draft pick for a rental player who really isn’t good at hockey was as baffling as it was short sighted. This franchise doesn’t have much in the way of prospect depth and no picks to replenish the cupboard. People will argue it’s because they’re in “win now” mode. But these aren’t the Blackhawks. The Pens aren’t good enough to win, and they haven’t been for a long time. They just don’t seem to realize that. [USA Today]
In other news…
The Rangers are also all-in, acquiring Eric Staal from the Hurricanes. [Empire Writes Back], [Full Tilt NYR]
Could Brandon Pirri be on the move? [FanSided]
The Bruins haven’t been able to strike a deal with Loui Eriksson. Will they trade him? [CSN]. Would the Wild move Jonas Brodin?
James Reimer is no longer a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. [Sportsnet], [Hockey Guys]
Mika Zibanejad single-handily kept the Senators’ slim playoff hopes alive. [The Score]
The Flames may have been able to use Jiri Hudler in that game, whom they dealt earlier in the day to Florida. [CTV]
According to an NHL source, Sami Vatanen wants a 6-yr deal worth $6 mill per. Ducks not doing that now and are listening to trade offers.
— Jimmy Murphy (@MurphysLaw74) February 28, 2016
(Possibly in a deal for Jonathan Drouin?)
Are the Predators going to make any moves before the trade deadline? [Along the Boards]
A late goal lifted the Red Wings over the Avalanche in their Stadium Series game. [Yahoo Sports], [ESPN]
And finally, the Capitals got a first-hand look at what it takes to be the best. [Fox Sports]
