Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Possibilities
The NHL offseason is in full swing, with trade rumors swirling around the league, with the Pittsburgh Penguins at the forefront of it all. Many analysts have stated the Penguins are the only true “sellers” of the market with plenty of expendable pieces to kick their rebuild into full swing. Today, let’s look at some names Kyle Dubas and company may move on from.
Erik Karlsson: Ranked as the #13 trade candidate by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, Karlsson is still thought of as one of the league's top defensemen. With a 10M AAV for the next two seasons, the contract is going to need some retention before any team considers picking up the 35-year-old. Karlsson still put up an 11-goal, 53-point campaign in 2024-25, but his defensive game... woof. Karlsson can only be successful if he is put with a pure and elite defensive defenseman at this stage of his career, which limits the teams that can acquire him. Karlsson has a no-move clause in place that restricts teams that can gauge interest as well, without the player's permission. The experiment did not work here, and I am sure the return will be underwhelming, but it’ll benefit the team to move on and allow younger players to enter the lineup. I expect Utah to make a push if they do not land Noah Dobson.
Summer trade possibility: 8/10
Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell: Grouping these two because they are both in the same boat. Both have seen continued success with Sidney Crosby, and both hold top 6 potential. The biggest thing is that both have 3 years left on their deals at team-friendly numbers (5.125M AAV, 5M AAV). Rust is currently ranked as the #14 trade candidate by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, while Rakell has completely fallen off the list. There is no rush to move either player, which Dubas said during the trade deadline that they will not just trade them to trade them. Rakell is coming off a career high in goals, 35, while Rust reached a career high in points, 65. If a team is offering someone like Isaac Howard and a pick, I am all for it, but just a straight-up draft pick and a B-level prospect is not going to cut it. I am curious as to what the management team decides with these two beloved players.
Summer trade possibility: 7/10
Noel Acciari: The easiest guy to move on this list with his 2M AAV, Acciari is a player any competitive team would love to have. He is a premier fourth-line center who gives it 110% every time he steps on the ice with great defensive instincts. Yes, his offense is subpar, hence why he’s on the fourth line, but that is not the reason he has been so successful. Acciari ranks 149th all-time in faceoff percentage with a 51.32. It was a bit surprising to see Dubas and company hold onto him during the trade deadline, but maybe his asking price was a bit high. A realistic compensation would be a mid-round pick + lower-level prospect or draft selection.
Summer trade possibility: 7/10
Evgeni Malkin: Call me crazy on this one, but with the recent news that next season will be Geno’s last in a Penguins sweater, Dubas may just allow the 38-year-old to go all in for one last cup elsewhere fully. The future first ballot Hall of Famer has seen a steady decrease in production over the past few seasons, falling from 83 points in 2022-23 to just 50 in 2024-25. Father time catches up to all athletes at some point, and maybe a lesser role with better talent around him better suits the Russian superstar. I would imagine a return would look almost identical to what the Bruins received for Brad Marchand (a 2025 1st) with some salary retention. In the end, it is all up to Malkin with his no-move clause and whether he wants to waive it or not.
Summer trade possibility: 5/10
Kevin Hayes: A pure salary cap dump by St. Louis last season, Hayes put up respectable numbers on the Penguins in a sheltered role. Hayes currently has a modified new trade clause that limits a select number of teams that can acquire the player, per the player's request. Hayes is only making 3.5M, which, with half retention, can equal a pretty return for the 33-year-old forward. Hayes is not what he once was offensively, but he is still a good faceoff taker and penalty killer. Could ultimately be held onto by the trade deadline, but I’d imagine Dubas and team will still test the waters.
Summer trade possibility: 4/10
-Cadeyn McCrory/ Olde City Sports Network
Photo Credits-
Erik Karlsson- Canadian Press
Bryan Rust and Richard Rakell- Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Noel Acciari- Dan Hickling
Evegeni Malkin- Ric Tapia/ Getty Images
Kevin Hayes- Justin Berl/ Getty Images