NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Linked to Four Young Players
Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski leaned into that reality by flagging four young players Kyle Dubas should have on the radar as trade chatter heats up, all guys with pedigree, upside, and the kind of “change of scenery” appeal the Penguins have chased in recent years.
Jakob Pelletier
Kingerski’s list starts with Jakob Pelletier, a 2019 first round pick (26th overall) who is now in the Tampa Bay Lightning system after bouncing through a few stops.
1/4
— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) January 12, 2026
Crunch weekly update (1/7 - 1/10):
Mitchell Chaffee - 3GP 1G 3A -1 7SOG
Dylan Duke - 3GP 2G 1A -3 5SOG
Jakob Pelletier - 3GP 1G 1A 2PIM -1 10SOG
Ethan Gauthier - 3GP 1G -1 4SOG
Wyatt Newpower - 3GP 1A 2PIM -1 1SOG
Nick Abruzzese - 3GP 1A -2 6SOG
Chris Harpur - 1GP 2PIM +1 pic.twitter.com/iWhz7edbXY
He is producing again in the AHL, and Syracuse has been leaning on him in scoring situations, including special teams usage.
Pelletier has 37 points in 31 games, with 17 goals sitting near the top of the league leaderboard. He also has a bit of international shine on the resume, winning silver at the 2021 World Juniors while posting seven points in the tournament.
Brennan Othmann
If there is one name on the list that feels closest to realistic deadline chatter, it is Brennan Othmann, the New York Rangers’ 2021 first rounder (16th overall) who has spent a lot of time riding the shuttle between levels.
The Rangers’ own AHL affiliate notes Othmann’s rookie impact in Hartford, including a season where he finished among the team leaders in goals and points, plus top rookie rankings league wide.
I’m not even a Brennan Othmann truther or someone who thinks he’s going to be this good NHLer
— NYR Louie ™️ (@NYRLouie) January 12, 2026
At the end of the day, your one of the worst teams in hockey with or without him playing
He’s having a blast in the AHL. He’s fighting, 5 game point streak, getting into it with…
This year, in the AHL, he has 14 points in 23 games so far. Kingerski’s angle is that Othmann’s motor and edge translate, and that any development gap, like skating refinement, is exactly where Pittsburgh believes it can add value.
Brad Lambert
Then there is Brad Lambert, the Winnipeg Jets’ 2022 first round pick (30th overall) whose speed and skill still make scouts dream, even if his NHL runway has been crowded.
The Moose have already shown what he can be in the AHL, with Lambert posting 55 points in 64 games in 2023-24, leading Manitoba in scoring, and earning a spot on the AHL All Rookie Team.
First NHL point for Brad Lambert! 🚨#NHLStats: https://t.co/6mWUpFEQV3 pic.twitter.com/ZsANJlNIe3
— NHL (@NHL) April 19, 2024
Kingerski also pointed to the idea that Winnipeg has at least listened on younger pieces while looking for immediate roster upgrades. If the Penguins want a swing at a potential middle six driver with legit wheels, Lambert is the bet, and his draft slot tells you how high the ceiling was viewed on draft night.
Ville Heinola
The fourth name might be the most “Penguins fit” on paper: Ville Heinola, a 2019 first round pick (20th overall) and a left shot defenseman with puck moving instincts.
Heinola has played 53 NHL games, but he has largely been stuck in the AHL, where he is logging real minutes again this season.
Don’t often see a defenceman tipping home another defenceman’s shot but that’s just what happens on this play.
— Dave Minuk (@ICdave) January 11, 2026
Ville Heinola, who is red hot right now, tips the Kale Clague shot home to tie the game for the Moose.
Heinola has 1G 11A in the last 12 games. pic.twitter.com/2p8DRhYjhU
Heinola has 18 points in 33 games to this point of the year. Kingerski cited TSN reporting that both Heinola and Lambert were viewed as available as the Jets look to shake things up.
If Dubas is serious about adding youth without paying the star tax, this is the template.
Photo Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
