The Pittsburgh Penguins are activley shopping defenceman Ian Cole and for that reason, he has been a healthy scratch for the team’s past three games, according to Jason MacKey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Citing multiple sources, MacKey writes that “it does not appear the desire to trade Cole has anything to do with his play. It’s more a function of him being an attractive option to other teams.”
MacKey adds that “several teams” have shown interest in Cole.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports that Cole’s agent Kevin Magnuson has been given permission to talk to other teams about a possible fit.
Cole, 28, is in the final year of a three-year contract that carries a $2.1-million cap hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Formerly a first-round pick of the St. Louis Blues, Cole is better known for his defensive play away from the puck. In 20 games this season, he has 35 blocks and 26 hits but only three points.
“Certainly [Cole] is a guy who we think can really help us as far as the type of game we’re trying to play,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Monday morning, according to MacKey. “He’s been an invaluable player for our team here for quite a long time. That hasn’t changed.”
If the Penguins do trade Cole it will be the second move the team has made this season. On Oct. 21, they acquired depth forward Riley Sheahan and a fifth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings for forward Scott Wilson and a third-round pick.
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