PITTSBURGH – Matt Hunwick learned Saturday morning that he is reportedly being dangled as trade bait ahead of the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
"That’s the first I’ve heard of it," said the Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman, when Darren Dreger’s tweet about his availability on the market was relayed to him by a reporter.
Hunwick inked a three-year, $6.75-million deal with the two-time defending champions this summer but has been unable to get into the lineup since Jan. 23.
"Anytime you’re out, you want to be back in, no matter the circumstances," said Hunwick, who maintains he’s in good health after dealing with an upper-body injury.
"You kinda learn that negativity doesn’t serve you that well. It’s better to be positive, get your work in and be ready for that next opportunity. That’s how you survive, how you be a good teammate. That’s what I learned early on and what I’ve done throughout my career, and it’s part of the reason I’m still here."
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Hunwick, 32, ranks fifth among Penguins defencemen in average ice time (18:08). The stay-at-home defender has contributed three goals, two assists and holds a minus-3 rating over 33 appearances this season.
Fellow left-shot defenceman Ian Cole, 28, also endured trade speculation and a run of scratches this season. Cole has rebounded to play about 18 minutes a night during Pittsburgh’s second-half surge.
The Penguins are 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and have stormed into playoff position.
General manager Jim Rutherford has spoken publicly about his desire to add an impact forward before the trade deadline. But with less than $1 million in salary cap space, any significant addition to the Penguins roster would require moving a player out.
"Every team wants to be in a position to force their general manager to add. That means you’re in the playoffs, or at least in the hunt, and you have a chance. You certainly don’t want to be selling at this time of year," Hunwick said.
"I’d obviously love to be in, but the team is doing well. It’s hard to argue with results."
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Hunwick expected to sit out his 10th consecutive game Saturday, as the Penguins host his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
"We’re lucky that he’s not [in the lineup] because he’s a great player and tough to play against," said Toronto’s Tyler Bozak.
Leafs coach Mike Babcock revealed in December that Toronto made a pitch to retain Hunwick, who served as an alternate Leafs captain last season.
"He’s a great leader," Bozak said. "He’s obviously a guy who can play against top players."