The NHL trade deadline is today at 3:00 PM, but Penguins general manager Ray Shero could be through making moves after already swinging trades for winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen from the Stars and winger Alex Kovalev from the Senators.
With more trades this year leading to the deadline than in any season since the 2004-05 lockout, fewer players are available for contending clubs. Fewer clubs are out of contention, too. As of Sunday, 25 of 30 teams were within 10 points of a playoff spot.
The report also points out that the Penguins stand to get better this week whether or not they make more trades. The Pens sent Dustin Jeffrey, Joe Vitale and Brian Strait back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Sunday, making way for the return of winger Chris Kunitz, who has missed the past ten games, and defenseman Paul Martin, who has missed the past four. Finally the Pens are getting somewhat healthier, with the returns of Kunitz, Martin and Mark Letestu, although obviously they're still a long way from being full strength, as Evgeni Malkin is out for the season and there's no indication of when Sidney Crosby will be back.