Keep up to date on the latest rumours and speculation around the NHL beat with TSN.ca's Rumour Mill.

Where to Go From Here?

Still second last in the Western Conference, the Edmonton Oilers notched their second straight win with an overtime victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and have plenty of time to climb back up the standings. 

But at some point, general manager Peter Chiarelli will have to decide whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline. Jim Matheson of The Edmonton Journal reported Tuesday night that the Oilers are surely one of the teams interested in Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Ian Cole, who is rumoured to be on the trade block. Matheson notes the Oilers like Cole, but won't be able to afford to re-sign him next season, meaning acquiring him would only be as a rental for this year.

Acquiring Cole would show clear direction for the Oilers who reached the Western Conference Final last season. If, however, Edmonton remains outside of the playoff picture, the team could be sellers at the trade deadline, moving their unrestricted free agents.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic suggests Patrick Maroon, Mark Letestu, Mike Cammalleri and Yohann Auvitu, all set for free agency in July, could all be traded if the Oilers don't turn their season around. 

Latest on Cole

Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said Tuesday he's not sure how Ian Cole's name entered the rumour mill, but stopped shy of denying that he's on the trade block.

“I think sometimes you guys make it up as you go,” Sullivan told reporters Tuesday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I don’t know where this stuff comes from."

Jason Mackey of the Post-Gazette reported Monday the Penguins were actively shopping the 28-year-old defenceman, but Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said he would never make his plans public.

“Whether I am or I’m not (trying to make a move), I wouldn’t tell anybody,” Rutherford said.

Cole has been a healthy scratch in three straight games for the Penguins, leading to speculation the pending unrestricted free agent is on the way out. “He’s part of our team,” Rutherford said of Cole. “He’s preparing to play when he’s asked to play next.

“Some of this is no different than what’s happened early in his career with us, where the coach decided to not play him, then he comes back and plays. That’s the way I view it at this point.”

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reported Tuesday night on Insider Trading that while the Penguins are open to dealing Cole, but only if the return is to their liking. The team is not simply looking to move Cole for asset now because he's on an expiring contract.

What's the Penguins' price for Cole? McKenzie believes the team is looking for a "quality centre," which he admits will make a trade tough to pull off.

Cost of Cole

Mckenzie joined OverDrive on TSN Radio 1050 Toronto on Tuesday to discuss if Cole could be a fit in Toronto and what the Leafs would have to give up for him.

The TSN Hockey Insider said based on what the Penguins are looking for, the Leafs would probably have to trade centre Tyler Bozak, who is also a pending free agent, in a deal for Cole.

Standing Pat?

While many eyes are fixated on Cole, there's also been speculation Rutherford could make a move to steady his goaltending situation.

The Penguins ruled starter Matt Murray week-to-week on Tuesday, throwing Tristan Jarry into the team's starting role and promoting Casey DeSmith to the role of backup.

McKenzie believes the Penguins are in the market for a low-cost experienced backup to help fill the void, but Rutherford said Tuesday he's not actively looking for help.

“Obviously now we’ll keep a closer watch on it,” Rutherford said. “It’s not something I’m trying to do right now.”

TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun believes Andrew Hammond or Eddie Lack, both currently playing in the AHL, could make sense for the Penguins and allow the team to return Jarry to AHL to further develop when Murray returns.