Penguins could remain quiet prior to NHL Trade Deadline

PITTSBURGH --The Pittsburgh Penguins don't feel pressure to add players prior to the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, general manager Ron Hextall said Friday.

The Penguins have struggled to find scoring outside of top-line forwards Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust, or second-line center Evgeni Malkin, in recent weeks. Crosby (14), Guentzel (10), Rust (11) and Malkin (eight) have scored 43 of Pittsburgh's 74 goals in 23 games since Jan. 15. It is 14-5-4 during that stretch.
"I think when you look at our first, maybe, 35 games, the depth scoring was there," Hextall said. "Then recently, you can look at the numbers and it's dried up for us. So they're certainly capable of it. I think [forward Kasperi Kapanen] had eight goals the first 35 or so games. Now, you have a goal or two in the last 24 games or whatever.
"So I think, yes, it's there. I think there's some guys that need to play a little bit better. But I think scoring, there's a little bit of a feel. Sometimes with top scorers, it comes and goes. So I think our guys need to do a little better job. I do have confidence that, if we can't do something (by the deadline on March 21), we do have enough scoring. Would we like to add a little bit? Like I said, of course."

Kapanen, who had two assists in a 17-game goal drought, was a healthy scratch for the first time this season against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, a 5-2 win. Forward Evan Rodrigues moved to Kapanen's usual spot at second-line right wing with Malkin at center.
Rodrigues also slowed offensively since playing first-line right wing earlier this season. He has scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 26 games mostly in the bottom six forwards after scoring 30 (15 goals, 15 assists) in his first 33 games.
Returning to form is possible for Kapanen and Rodrigues, who scored Friday, Hextall said. Forward Jason Zucker, who had core muscle surgery on Jan. 25, could also provide a boost once healthy.
Hextall said he doesn't think the Penguins (35-15-9), who are second in the Metropolitan Division, need to make a trade.
"I think in the [NHL salary] cap world, we all have areas we would like to fill in a little bit. But I feel pretty good about the depth of our team," Hextall said. "I think you look at our defense, we've been pretty healthy all year, obviously. Would we like to add a little bit up front? Yeah, that would be a fair statement. But I think every team, again, would like to add a little bit up front or maybe on the back end.
"So I feel good. I don't feel like I have to do anything. But if we can get better, we're certainly going to try."
A trade would only work if it benefits the Penguins beyond this season, Hextall said. He would like to avoid trading prospects and would only do so if the added player would help contend for the Stanley Cup and remain with Pittsburgh after the season.
"If the right thing comes up, if it will help us short term but also a little bit longer term, we would certainly look at it," Hextall said. "We want to be as good as we can going into the [Stanley Cup Playoffs]. … If everything aligns and we can add someone that helps us for the push here, we'll definitely do it."
There has been a shift in intensity since beginning the season without Crosby and Malkin, Hextall said. Crosby missed 12 of the first 13 games because of offseason wrist surgery and in NHL COVID-19 protocol; Malkin did not debut until Jan. 11 after having knee surgery June 4. The Penguins were 20-9-5 without Malkin and are 15-6-4 since his return.
"I think the first 35 games, we played so well," Hextall said. "We had so many players out of lineup. Let's be real, also top players. I thought we did a really good job there. I think, right now, I would like to see a little more energy in our game, a little bit more consistency. We'll see what happens tonight and kind of address those things as we go along."