Penguins Defenseman on the Brink of Being Traded Following Latest Comments

Ryan Graves understands his initial two years in Pittsburgh didn't really pan out, not for the team, and certainly not for him.

He admits his own self-confidence has been rattled by the rollercoaster ride, and with Thursday night's season finale looming, he knows it may be his final game as a Penguin.

Graves has been around long enough to understand the business side of the NHL, having been traded twice.

But despite all of the rumors, he is firmly dedicated to reestablishing the trust of the organization and to helping see a turnaround in Pittsburgh.

His acclimation out there was sketchy. Graves had trouble achieving breakouts, adjusting from New Jersey's emphasis on the immediate outlet pass versus Pittsburgh's opposite style of play.

He had a hard time defending his zone and deciding when to pester guys, too. Though he did play well at times, he was never reliable. By U.S. Thanksgiving, his play took a noticeable drop.

Following the recall of prospect Owen Pickering, Graves was a healthy scratch for the first time as a Penguin, a trend which continued this winter. Now, his future is up in the air. A buyout or trade is on the table this offseason.

In spite of that, Graves says he's ignoring the criticism and is hoping to get back to a critical position. He'd like to be trusted again, playing 18-plus minutes, being on the back lines leading penalty kills, and being a good presence in his defensive zone.

Whether the Penguins offer him the chance remains to be seen, but Graves would like to stay and, finally, play out his contract.