Pittsburgh Penguins musings
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: (mailbag) The Pittsburgh Penguins may have too many forwards at this point in time. Believe that forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are available, but only if a specific price is met. It doesn’t really make sense to trade them heading into the start of the season. Especially when we’re likely a few weeks away from a Sidney Crosby extension.
Don’t expect the Penguins to add a big name to the left side of their blue line, despite being a little light. Sam Girard and Trevor van Riemsdyk are in the top-four, with Declan Carlile the other. They still have Owen Pickering as well.
Josh Yohe of The Athletic: (mailbag) Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas wanted to move up in the draft, but the prices were higher than he expected.
2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Season Preview
This offseason, they weren’t really able to add anything that fit their vision for the team, so they likely have pushed back those plans a year. Dubas has been aggressively looking for trades, but they seem unlikely at this point.
If the Penguins are in a playoff spot around the holidays, could see them being aggressive to add. If they’re out of the race and not looking like a playoff team, could see teams calling about Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and others.
Even if Karlsson isn’t playing like he did last year, there would still be interest. The 36-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, and given what he’s capable of, he’ll have good value.
NHL Trade Targets
Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report: Ranking NHL players who could possibly get traded. Rankings are based on skill, experience, contract, and most importantly, the possibility of being traded.
NHL News: New Jersey Devils Acquire Luke Evangelista from Nashville Predators
1. Connor Hellebuyck – Winnipeg Jets
2. Dylan Larkin – Detroit Red Wings
3. Chris Kreider – Anaheim Ducks
4. Arber Xhekaj – Montreal Canadiens
5. Trevor Moore – Los Angeles Kings
6. Alex Killorn – Anaheim Ducks
7. Darcy Kuemper – Los Angeles Kings
8. Zach Whitecloud – Calgary Flames
9. Zachary Bolduc – Montreal Canadiens
10. Morgan Frost – Calgary Flames
11. Brock Boeser – Vancouver Canucks
12. Pavel Zacha – Boston Bruins
13. Quinn Hughes – Minnesota Wild
14. Erik Karlsson – Pittsburgh Penguins
15. Elias Pettersson – Vancouver Canucks
Honorable mentions: Kirill Marchenko (Blue Jackets), Shane Wright (Kraken), Alexander Nikishin (Hurricanes), Braden Schneider (Rangers), Bryan Rust and Rikard Rakell (Penguins), Kent Johnson (Blue Jackets), and Alex DeBrincat (Red Wings).
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