Is It a Done Deal That the Penguins Are Done Dealin’?

Yes folks, Jim Rutherford’s done it again. Beating his fellow GMs to the punch in his customary aggressive manner, the spry 70-year-old Hall-of-Famer landed arguably the biggest prize on the trade market in speedy winger Jason Zucker.

Is JR done dealin’?

I’ll answer that question by referencing an old Carpenters song from the ‘70s. We’ve Only Just Begun.

Indeed, most insiders think Rutherford will try to add another player or two ahead of the February 24 trade deadline. While I certainly wouldn’t look for a blockbuster…the Pens simply don’t possess the assets to make one…it seems almost certain he’ll try to add depth.

Although the situation could be remedied somewhat with the returns of Dominik Kahun and Nick Bjugstad, the Pens have struggled for some time to piece together a capable fourth line. They’ve tried internal options Andrew Agozzino, Anthony Angello, Joe Blandisi, Thomas Di Pauli, Adam Johnson and Sam Lafferty. All, with the possible exception of Lafferty, have been found wanting.

Let’s face it, you simply don’t survive in the playoffs, let alone win a Stanley Cup, as a three-line team.

Another area of need is defense. With top-four defenders Brian Dumoulin and John Marino on the shelf and the coaching staff apparently lacking confidence in Juuso Riikola, it’s almost a guarantee Rutherford will try to import a blue-liner.

Depth-wise, the Pens are in a little better shape on the right side. Zach Trotman, presently skating for the Baby Pens, has 88 games of NHL experience on his resume and generally does a solid job at the big-league level. I think our brain trust is comfortable that Zach can plug a gap in a pinch. As an aside, so do I. I rate him ahead of incumbent Chad Ruhwedel in terms of physicality and stay-at-home steadiness.

Look for the addition to be left-handed, especially since Dumoulin isn’t even skating yet.

Okay, so I’ve identified our needs. But what do we have to barter with?

The answer is, not much. Rutherford pretty much peddled our last disposable assets to secure Zucker. We have a third-round pick available, but that’s about it on the draft side of the ledger.

Nor do we have a whole lot in the way of surplus talent to entice opposing GMs. It was hoped Bjugstad might serve as a trading chip, but given his slow recovery (and recent setback) from abdominal wall surgery and high cap hit ($4.1 million) I can’t imagine there’d be any takers. It’s been suggested that other organizations may regard Riikola as a prospect, but again that’s murky.

Speaking of prospects, power forward Samuel Poulin is having a spectacular season in junior (32 goals and 71 points, a plus-43 in 40 games). Nathan Legare (27 goals in 48 games) is lighting it up, too. I hope they’re considered untouchable.

Aside from that…a lot of Tom, Dick and Doms (Simon).

The lone position of tradeable strength? Goaltender.

The Pens presently have three NHL-caliber goalies under contract in Matt Murray, Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. The latter’s toiled all season long with the Baby Pens after serving as Murray’s primary backup last season.

Does JR part with one of his goalies?

Just to spice things up a bit, Murray’s contract expires at the end of the season. While he’s a pending RFA, which means the Pens maintain control, he’s rumored to be looking for an eight-year deal for $8 million a season.

I’m all for rewarding guys. And Murray did backstop us to two Cups. But all you have to do is look around the league to see Sergei Bobrovsky, Braden Holtby, Carey Price…and, yes, Marc-Andre Fleury…struggling to live up to pricey (pun intended), long-term deals. And as well as Murray has played recently, he has a disturbing habit of dissolving into funks, especially early in the season.

Does Tristan Jarry’s sudden emergence make him expendable?

A wild thought. I wonder if Bill Guerin in Minnesota would have any interest? They’re not pleased at all with incumbent Devin Dubnyk, who’s had a rough season. Defenseman Matt Dumba’s name popped up recently in trade rumors. His career thus far has tracked a lot like a young Kris Letang.

Could something along the lines of a Murray and Justin Schultz for Dubnyk and Dumba deal be worked out? Perhaps with an eye toward flipping Dubnyk to another team and calling up DeSmith on the back end?

Probably not. But just supposin’.

Back to my original thoughts about a depth forward and a left-handed defenseman. If we’re, indeed, shopping for extra help, an element I’d love to add is push-back. I still think we’re vulnerable to teams that play with an edge like Boston, Tampa Bay and Washington.

Calgary’s Sam Bennett intrigues me. Tough kid, can play either left wing or center, isn’t shy about dropping the mitts. Probably isn’t on our radar. But I’d love to add a guy like that.

Another player who interests me…Ottawa’s Mark Borowiecki. Again, a tough customer who’ll drop the gloves with anyone, including Capitals bad boy Tom Wilson. At age 30, “Boro’s” enjoyed a bit of a breakout season, too, with seven goals and 18 points.

For the record, neither he ($1.2 mil) nor Bennett ($2.25 mil) would break the bank.

Again, knowing Mike Sullivan’s aversion to tough guys, I can’t image we’d acquire either. But a Pens fan can dream, can’t he?

Names that might be in play? Pensburgh mentioned former Pens Trevor Daley (Detroit) and Ron Hainsey (Ottawa) on defense. I’ll toss out another expatriate…forward Scott Wilson (Buffalo).

We’ll see what transpires. But I’m bettin’ the Pens aren’t done dealin’.