Couple of moves (PIT, EDM)

Pens say no thanks. If the pens are gonna give up Cole, they will want more than a 7th D, ahl goalie, and low pick in return. Especially if the pens are gonna retain salary

Fair enough. He isn't currently playing though and that technical makes him a 7th as well. The goalie you absolutely need with Murray being injured. And berube played quite well on long island last year. If there is an add my impression is that it would be small. Or remove the retain.

This is probably the most if would give for Cole. Trade bait gets handled differently for everyone, but a health scratch for any extended period is bad. I don't believe for a second that a defense 30th in the league would be intentionally sitting a valuable defenseman for trade bait unless they "tanking" which PIT is most certainly NOT doing. They're a great team that needs defensive help. It doesn't help that Murray is hurt...yeah that's most definitely true. Cole is a vet and can help develop young talent, but the Hawks have vets. I actually don't really want Cole unless he's basically given to the Hawks. Just isn't worth it.

Pens fans continue to say its because he's being kept of the ice to not get injured and a trade is imminent but unless it happens within the same day, its not the case. He's being kept of the ice for other reasons also. If he was playing great and Pitts wanted to move him, they'd only keep him off the ice if a trade was about to go down within 24 hours. not a week. Him not playing, drops his value. That's why teams do it only when they know a trade is all but signed off on.

I agree 100%