Less Discussed Trade Candidates For The Penguins

When discussing the Pittsburgh Penguins' future and the players that are bound to be traded, names like Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust come up the most. All three of them are almost guaranteed to be moved. Maybe not this offseason, but by the end of next offseason. Teams just have to pay up or work them into the cap.

Beyond that, a team that is headed into a rebuild and looking to free up space to get younger will be moving and testing more players. This will lead to the Penguins selling off what they can and more than just the big three will be dealt. These are other players to watch for on the trade block as the Penguins head into another less hopeful season.

Tristan Jarry

The Penguins are clearly going younger and acquired Arturs Silovs this offseason from the Vancouver Canucks. He will be in the NHL this season, but Joel Blomqvist is very close to being an everyday NHLer. The only reason he isn't projected to be this season is because Tristan Jarry still holds an NHL role. The goalie market was very weak this offseason and he is likely on the move by the trade deadline, even with three years left at $5.375 million AAV. There will be retention to move him.

Kevin Hayes

Kevin Hayes isn't the player he once was and has been in the bottom-6 for the Penguins for a little bit now, but he can still be effective enough if a team is looking for a bottom-6 fixture at center or the wing and are somewhat desperate. He finished with 13 goals and 23 points in 64 games, but was 52.2% in the faceoff circle, had a strong Corsi For % and expected goals for %, plays on the second power-play unit, and killed penalties at one point in his career. He averaged just over 12 minutes per game and is in the final year of his deal with a cap hit of $3.571 million. Once again, there could be retention here and he could be an effective piece with a better team surrounding him.

Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba was dumped to the Penguins, but if he has a good enough year, he could be moved again for a late round pick. This would be a case where a team is desperate and has a fair bit of cap space available to them. They may be on the cusp of the playoffs or not think they can win, but want to add a depth piece or two for insurance in case. With a $3.75 million AAV cap hit, the Penguins would absolutely have to retain, but there would be no hesitation in moving him at all. Without multiple injuries, it will be tough to see Dumba playing enough games in the NHL to warrant anyone trading for him though.

Anthony Mantha

Anthony Mantha spent most of last season injured, but did bounce back from some struggles the season prior with the Washington Capitals. It earned him a contract again this season and the 30-year-old did have four goals and seven points in 13 games with the Calgary Flames in 2024-25. He has scored 23+ goals and 44+ points three times in his career and did so most recently in 2023-24. He is on a one-year, $2.5 million AAV deal and will most likely be targeted by teams looking for a cheaper upgrade who can do some damage. There is a chance Mantha could return the Penguins a second to third round pick.

Danton Heinen

Danton Heinen is a capable bottom-6 player who can move around the lineup if needed and can also kill penalties. He may be in a role higher than he should be handling this season, which could go good or bad. If it goes good, then the Penguins will absolutely be able to trade him. He is another forward on a cheaper short-term deal. The 30-year-old is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $2.25 million AAV. He put up nine goals and 29 points last season, but 17 goals and 36 points the season prior. I can see him fetching a fifth-round pick or so.