Recchi done in Pittsburgh? Columbus, Vancouver interested?

Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that pending unrestricted free agent forward Mark Recchi’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins is in limbo.

A healthy scratch four of the last five games, expectations are that Recchi will be moved. However, the 40-year-old forward says he has no inclination how things will eventually turn out.

“I’m not really sure,” Recchi said. “We’re kind of fighting an uphill battle here right now. I don’t know where I fit in here.”

According to reports out of Canada, Penguins management have given Recchi permission to “investigate possible trades.”

While neither side would confirm or deny those reports, Recchi’s agent, Rick Curran, did admit that he has recently “discussed Recchi’s future with general manager Ray Shero.” Curran did not divulge whether his client asked for a trade.

The Vancouver Province speculates that the Columbus Blue Jackets “may be kicking the trade tires” on the veteran forward.

Rumors have risen from the fact that Blue Jackets scouts have been seen taking in multiple Penguins games as of late. Not to mention that Blue Jackets bench boss Ken Hitchcock coached Recchi in the the WHL as a junior and in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Blue Jackets have $9 million of salary cap room to acquire Recchi and his earns $1.75 million.

Still, Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch is not so sure that Recchi will come to Columbus any time soon. Portzline notes that the Blue Jackets need a center and a puck-moving defenseman, not an aging winger like Recchi. The belief is that the Blue jackets would have more interest in Edmonton Oilers center Jarret Stoll.

Another possible destination for Recchi could be the Vancouver Canucks. While playing for the Montreal Canadiens, Recchi was coached by current Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault.