Top 5 Potential Trade Targets for the Pittsburgh Penguins

Having already completed three trades this season, some might think that Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford is done tinkering with his roster.

However, with his franchise players in their late 20s, and with the Pens coming off yet another disappointing postseason performance, Rutherford knows that the team is in a "win-now" mode and, having been one of the most active deal-makers with the Carolina Hurricanes, figures to be even more active this year.

With the March 2 trade deadline now less than a month away, let's take a look at the top five trade rumors swirling around the Pens.

Chris Higgins

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Since taking over for Ray Shero last summer, Rutherford's primary focus has been to overhaul and upgrade the Penguins' bottom two lines and, with the additions of Steve Downie, Nick Spaling, Blake Comeau and now Maxim Lapierre, he's done just that.

However, with depth at a premium in the postseason, he may look to add another piece and, according to Darren Dreger of TSN, Chris Higgins could be a tempting trade target.

A former 20-goal scorer, Higgins has struggled recently on the Canucks' second line but could flourish on the Pens' third line alongside Downie and Brandon Sutter.

With two years at $2.5 million per year left on his contract, Higgins won't cause cap issues for the Pens, and depending on whether or not the Canucks are still in the hunt for the postseason, he could have a modest asking price.

Andrej Sekera

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With the loss of talented two-way defenseman Olli Maatta for the season with a shoulder injury, the Penguins may look to bolster their blue line, and according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, Andrej Sekera may be the most likely candidate to do just that.

Known as a reliable top-four defenseman with good offensive skills, Sekera is in the final year of his contract, but the Carolina Hurricanes have reportedly been working hard to resign him.

Should Sekera become available, the asking price would be a second-round pick and a solid prospect, according to Bob McKenzie of TSN. That could be too high a price to pay for a rental player.

Since Sekera is seeking upwards of $5 million per season and the Pens have organizational depth at his position, it's likely they would only make a deal for him if they saw him as a replacement for Paul Martin, who appears likely to leave in free agency this summer.

Jiri Tlusty

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With the Penguins looking to add skill to their middle-six forward group, Jiri Tlusty, another one of Rutherford's acquisitions while with the Hurricanes, could be a perfect fit.

Having signed a one-year, $2.95 million contract last summer to remain in Carolina, Tlusty has been in contract negotiations with the Hurricanes but will likely be dealt at the deadline if they can't come to terms on a new deal.

An established goal scorer at just 26 years of age, Tlusty could fill either a second-line role should Beau Bennett continue to struggle, or a third-line role alongside former teammate Brandon Sutter, which would cause matchup problems for opponents.

As reported by William DePaoli of InsidePittsburghSports.com, Rutherford already made an offer for Tlusty along with Daniel Winnik of the Toronto Maple Leafs but, with the Hurricanes out of contention and with his future uncertain, Rutherford may take another run at acquiring him.

Marek Zidlicky

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Should the Pens decide that Simon Despres is not yet ready to be a top-four defenseman and look for outside help, Marek Zidlicky of the New Jersey Devils could be a good cost-effective option.

Although only 5'11" and 190 pounds and 38 years of age, Zidlicky is a responsible defender, and with half of his points over the past three seasons coming with the man advantage, he is among the best in the NHL at quarterbacking power plays.

Given his age and impending free agency, his cost should be modest but could be driven up depending on how many teams are looking to buy at the deadline.

Although he has reportedly not waived his no-trade clause, the Pens have been scouting the Devils lately and had their eye on Zidlicky, as well as another high-profile player, to bolster their blue line, according to DePaoli.

Jaromir Jagr

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Given how often it makes its way around the league, one can only assume that the annual "Jaromir Jagr to the Penguins" rumor will continue until either the player retires or the team folds.

The difference this time is that the Pens are in need for forwards with size and skill, and with the New Jersey Devils out of playoff contention and general manager Lou Lamoriello looking to add young talent, this trade actually makes sense.

During the Pens' last two postseason appearances, they've struggled to keep the puck in the offensive zone and generate sustained pressure against bigger teams. The addition of the 6'3", 240-pound Jagr could be just what the Pens need to address that problem.

Even at 42 years of age, Jagr is still one of the best in the NHL along the boards, and his apparent frustration at playing on a losing team might prevent the ego problems and personality conflicts that he became known for during his first stint in Pittsburgh.

Since, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Evgeni Malkin was recently asked by team management if he'd be in favor of lining up alongside Jagr and endorsed the idea, a return to Pittsburgh for No. 68 seems like a real possibility.