Rutherford: Penguins could look to add more D, prefer to keep Fleury
The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be done dealing following Thursday's acquisition of veteran defenseman Ron Hainsey.
Justin Schultz appears set to return to the lineup from a concussion, but Olli Maatta and Trevor Daley will be out weeks due to injury, and, to make matters potentially far worse, Kris Letang is currently listed as day to day with an upper-body injury.
The Penguins don't play again until Saturday's Stadium Series event, giving general manager Jim Rutherford time to assess the situation.
Rutherford said in the next 24 hours they'll determine a final answer on whether to add another D man into the mix.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) February 23, 2017
Rutherford also maintained he'd prefer to keep goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for what's hoped to be another lengthy playoff run, ensuring Matt Murray has more than sufficient backup.
"I'm going to have some communication with (Fleury) between now and the deadline and see exactly where he sits and how he feels," Rutherford said, per Sam Kasan of Pens Inside Scoop. "That'll play a part in the final decision. I won't get too far ahead of myself. He very well could be a part of our team going down the stretch."
The upcoming expansion draft complicates the issue somewhat, and much can happen prior to the March 1st trade deadline, but the GM seems content with his defending Stanley Cup champion roster.
Rutherford on the state of the team as we inch closer to the playoffs: "I feel very confident. This is a good team."
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 23, 2017
Rutherford, however, added, "We'll stay in the mix right up to the deadline and see what happens."