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The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman Roberto Bortuzzo and a seventh round pick to St. Louis for defenseman Ian Cole. Cole’s player profile from The Hockey News:
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Assets: |
Can play a quality shutdown role. Has good size and strength, the ability to play a physical brand of hockey from the back end and some puck-moving skills. |
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Flaws: |
Doesn't have the high-end ability to be much of a factor on power plays. Needs to become more consistent in order to maximize his overall potential. |
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Career Potential: |
Talented shutdown defenseman with upside. |
Cole is in the final year of a $825,000 cap hit. At 26 years old he will be a restricted free agent this summer. Bortuzzo’s salary was $600,000, so unless there has been salary retained, that should about zap what little salary cap space that the Penguins had last. According to the fantasy stats, it’s a thumbs up more for the Penguins:
Good move pic.twitter.com/zYYAPcDyUO
— Ryan Wilson (@GunnerStaal) March 2, 2015
Cole has a tendency to turn the puck over but is positionally worlds ahead of Bortuzzo
— Jesse Marshall (@jmarshfof) March 2, 2015
According to Darren Dreger though, the Pens may not yet be done:
Penguins add Cole from Blues, but expectation is Pitt will add another d-man before deadline.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 2, 2015