The Pittsburgh Penguins are interested in acquiring a defenseman by Monday's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.

Pittsburgh lost defender Ben Lovejoy indefinitely to an upper-body injury earlier in the week, and he was playing almost 19 minutes a night.

The Penguins are in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race, currently holding the second spot.

Trevor Daley, acquired in a trade for Rob Scuderi earlier this season, has been a solid addition, with 13 points in 30 games. He's playing 19:11 a game, and general manager Jim Rutherford is likely hoping to find someone similar.

Calgary Flames defenseman Kris Russell and Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Dan Hamhuis are two notable rentals available, but prices are reportedly high and Hamhuis has a full no-trade clause.

Should the Penguins fail to make a move, Rutherford could turn to the club's AHL roster for depth, LeBrun notes.

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