The Pittsburgh Penguins could do nothing.
They could sit tight, allow their already Stanley Cup-worthy roster to carry them into the NHL postseason and see what kind of run they're able to put together with the pieces already in place.
Or, they could make a deal.
They could add a piece or two and further strengthen that already impressive, Cup-caliber lineup, ensuring a deep playoff run and meaningful spring hockey.
If the latest NHL trade rumors are true, Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is all-in on option No. 2.
"The Penguins have already made a couple of deals, Jim Rutherford adding David Perron. Adding Max Lapierre. He's going to add a forward. And we're finding out now he's going to add a defenseman," said NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun on a recent episode of TSN's Insider Trading, according to NicholsOnHockey.com.
Rutherford and coach Mike Johnston are rumored to be fans of Toronto's Daniel Winnik at forward and, per LeBrun, could be eyeing a couple big names as rentals on the blueline.
"We're looking at a Cody Franson or maybe a Jeff Petry," said LeBrun. "And to a lesser degree, whether it's a Scott Hannan or Jan Hejda, I think Jim Rutherford because of some of the youth on his blueline would like to add some experience before March 2. They're going for it. They're a contender. And they want to get better there."
With the 23 year old Simon Despres on the second-pairing and the 21 year old Derrick Pouliot and the 25 year old Robert Bortuzzo on the third-pairing, Rutherford is interested in adding some proven veteran talent to his defensive group.
Losing Olli Maatta to surgery and Christian Ehrhoff to a recent concussion has decimated the defensive depth for Rutherford and Johnston.
The addition of a big, right-handed rearguard like Franson or Petry, both 27, would provide size and experience for the blueline and would be a huge boon to the Penguins playoff hopes.
