The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to add a couple pieces prior to the NHL’s March 2 trade deadline and a trio of pending Toronto Maple Leafs free agents are on their radar.
According to ESPN, the Penguins have shown an interest in defenceman Cody Franson plus forwards Mike Santorelli and Daniel Winnik.
Both Santorelli and Winnik come with low cap hits — $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively — while Franson is a bit more expensive at $3.3 million.
Last week on Hockey Night in Canada, Damien Cox reported (via Elliotte Friedman) that the Maple Leafs aren’t close to coming to terms with the three players, all of whom are set become unrestricted free agents July 1.
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment’s ownership board has reportedly approved a complete head-to-toe rebuild of the on-ice product, so if Franson, Santorelli and Winnik don’t fit into the team’s long-term plans there’s a strong chance they will be moved by the trade deadline.
