Hextall seems to indicate Penguins trade for 3rd line, won’t dump top pick

CRANBERRY, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Penguins need to improve their chemistry, especially on the much-criticized third line. They will not make merely a shakeup trade, and a Penguins trade involving their first-round pick, at least for a salary dump, is basically off-limits.

Penguins GM Ron Hextall addressed the media at the UPMC Lemieux Complex less than one month before the March 3 NHL trade deadline. While he did his best to avoid specifics as the team hurtles towards the point of no return, struggling for wins and consistency, he did take one possible move off the table.

Hextall will not trade the Penguins’ first-round pick to move out a salary, and it didn’t sound like the first-rounder was in play for a straight-up deal, either.

Reports since the summer indicate the going rate amongst teams with more salary cap space than ambition has been a first-round pick or equivalent.

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