5 centers the Penguins should target to bolster 3-peat bid

After a slow start to their season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have played some of their best hockey of late, winning nine of their last 12 games. The hot streak has elevated them to third place in the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division.

Despite the recent success, the Pens still have one glaring weakness to fix if they plan on three-peating: a third-line center.

Here are five players who would slot in nicely behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin:

Derick Brassard: The ideal fit

The Ottawa Senators sit second-last in the Eastern Conference and are prime candidates to be sellers at the deadline. Derick Brassard is signed through 2018-19 with a $5-million cap hit, so there's no urgency to trade him before Feb. 26, but the Penguins would be smart to pursue him aggressively.

Brassard is a solid two-way center. He's responsible in his own end and can produce offensively when surrounded by the right talent. More importantly, he's a proven playoff performer, with 22 goals and 55 points in 78 postseason games.

The Penguins project to have just shy of $2 million in deadline cap space, per Cap Friendly, so they would have to get creative to take on his contract.

Kevin Hayes: The low-risk, high-reward choice

The Rangers have reportedly committed to being sellers at the trade deadline, and their clearance sale could include 25-year-old Kevin Hayes. He's on the last year of his contract ($2.6-million cap hit) and is set to hit restricted free agency.

Hayes is probably miscast as New York's second-line center, but would slot in nicely on Pittsburgh's third line, especially since they can surround the hulking 6-foot-5 forward with speedy wingers.

All but one of Hayes' 20 points this season have come at even strength. This is key because the Penguins don't need help on special teams (they own the league's best power play and fifth-best penalty kill), but could stand to improve their five-on-five play.

Tomas Plekanec: The veteran rental

At 35 years old, Tomas Plekanec is a shadow of his former self. He has just five goals and 15 assists this season and certainly lost a step or two.

Regardless, he would be an upgrade over Riley Sheahan. And with one year remaining on his contract and the Canadiens a sure bet to be deadline sellers, they would likely move him for next to nothing and swallow most of his $6-million cap hit in the process.

Plekanec would help an already strong penalty kill, and perhaps moving to a far superior offensive team would help him rediscover his lost offensive touch.

Derek Ryan: The unknown option

The average NHL fan probably has no idea who Derek Ryan is. After a solid junior career, he played CIS hockey, then played overseas in Hungary, Austria, and Sweden before returning to North America with Carolina's AHL team. He may be 31, but he's enjoying a solid sophomore campaign with 11 goals and 15 assists in 51 games for the Hurricanes.

If the Canes fall farther out of the playoff picture, they could become sellers at the deadline. That would make Ryan expendable, given he's a pending unrestricted free agent.

Not only does his $1.425-million cap hit fit nicely for the Penguins, but they could also use a right-handed center for faceoff purposes, and Ryan has won 56.1 percent of his draws this season.

Tyler Bozak: The long shot

Bozak would be an excellent fit in Pittsburgh. Like Ryan, he's a right-handed shot who's skilled at faceoffs, is a pending UFA, and can produce offensively. A move to Pittsburgh would also represent a reunion with his old buddy, Phil Kessel.

Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely the Leafs and Penguins - two contending teams - would agree on a deal. Instead of wanting picks and prospects for Bozak, the Leafs would want immediate help on the blue line or down the middle - something the Pens likely can't offer.

In order for this to work, a third team would have to be involved. Though three-team trades are rare, nothing can be ruled out with two veteran general managers in Jim Rutherford and Lou Lamoriello.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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