6 Trade Targets Listed For Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins have made a series of moves already this offseason, but they should still have plenty of offers for veterans Rickard Rakell and/or Bryan Rust, neither of whom are "getting any younger, and their value isn’t going up, either," according to Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now.
With that, GM Kyle Dubas will need to find potential top-six forward replacements. Kingerski lists six notable trade targets.
Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars
Pairing him up with his brother, the newly-acquired Nick Robertson, would, of course, be the least of the reasons why this would make a ton of sense for the Pens. The team does have close to $17 million in cap space available, so that's probably (we stress probably) enough to sign the RFA three-time 40-goal scorer.
"Make no mistake, a deal will cost the Penguins at least three first-round caliber assets, and probably another piece to finish the deal, but Dubas clearly seems to think Robertson is worth it," writes Kingerski.
Alex Nikishin, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Carolina Hurricanes
These come as a package deal, as that's the only way the Canes will part with Nikishin, a big, young, potential top-pairing defenseman. Ok, Nikishin isn't a top-six forward, but he's a valued trade target as well. But with Kotkaniemi, the hope would be that he returns to his former legitimate secondary-scoring talent.
With Erik Karlsson in the final year of his contract, and turning 37 after the season, the Pens will need a new, young, big-time puck-mover on the blueline. They don't come around too often, so this could be a chance to secure one, in Nikishin.
Kirill Marchenko, Columbus Blue Jackets
While Zach Werenski got all the oxygen on the rumor mill, Marchenko also told the Jackets this offseason that he wouldn't be interested in re-signing when his deal is up, which comes one year sooner than Werenski's, after the coming season. GM Don Waddell has stood his ground thus far, publicly at least, and said he is not interested in trading him. Marchenko will be an RFA after the season.
He's been a 20-goal scorer in each of his four seasons in the NHL with Columbus, and has been a 30-goal threat the past two years (31 & 27 goals).
Kingerski points out that Dubas and Waddell worked together on the Egor Chinakhov trade for some time before finally pulling it off; perhaps they're able to do it again with Marchenko.
Alex Killorn and/or Frank Vatrano, Anaheim Ducks
Another tandem entry, as these are two of the names being floated as possible cap casualties for the Ducks if they hope to find the cap space to match the outlandish Leo Carlsson offer sheet (not to mention being able to sign RFA Cutter Gauthier as well).
"Could Dubas pull a rabbit out of his Penguins hat to snag assets such as a top pick or desirable player with an unwanted salary or a short-term player that Anaheim is willing to sacrifice to keep their young core together?" Kingerski asks.
One thing is certain. Dubas is not done tinkering just yet this offseason.
