Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[ahawk9]

I don't mind the retention idea on him, either. Cap goes up, and he's only on the books for two more seasons after this. That'll be fine, i think. The retention might also get another 1st round pick. Like FLPF said, it takes two to tango but he brings an offensive element that most teams don't have. If he's paired with a proper partner who's able to cover the blatant defensive deficiencies, he'd be a nice pickup for someone.

[FLPensFan]

Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

Maximum amount a team can retain is 50%. So 5M is the most we could retain, and 5M AAV is the cheapest someone could get him from us. If we retained 50%, ideally I'd like to get a 1st round pick and a good prospect or young NHLer. I don't know how realistic that return ask is though.

[Cow_Master66]

There's no fire drill on trading him if the return doesn't include a 1st or multiple 2nds/3rds.

As with many Dmen, it took him a season to settle in, and he's playing well. If that continues, as his contract gets shorter, and more attractive, they can move him. There's no reason to ship him out now when 26/27/28 picks are more attractive for this organization.

[dark_forces]

Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

[KG]

https://www.tsn.ca/trade-bait-board-und ... -1.2248394

Rakell #2 on TSN trade bait board. Meaning he's the 2nd best player potentially available (according to them).

[lemieuxReturns]

With Rakell and EK (retention) we could be looking at 2 more first round picks. That would be incredibly helpful to start turning this thing around.

[Pitts]

Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

Would be really nice to find a 3rd team to help launder some cap through.

[Pitts]

With Rakell and EK (retention) we could be looking at 2 more first round picks. That would be incredibly helpful to start turning this thing around.

Would incredible if they ended up with 3-4 1st rounders the next 2 years.

[FLPensFan]

Why are the Penguins holding onto EK? They need to just retain on him and trade him. At the end of the season, they free up two more retention spots. Holding onto him makes no sense at this point.

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

Would be really nice to find a 3rd team to help launder some cap through.

Because SJ retained salary, only one more team can retain salary on Karlsson. So either the Penguins retain, or they wash him through a 3rd team and they retain.

At that point, it would probably just makes sense for the Penguins to receive more draft capital for retention that getting a 3rd team involved. Karlsson would likely be really easy to move if the Penguins and another team could each retain 50%, getting his cap hit down to 2.5M. But can't happen.

[FLPensFan]

Another thing to keep in mind with stockpiling picks....Taylor Haase mentioned in DK's Friday Insider piece that there is feeling that Dubas may throw out some offer sheets this summer. That's another reason to acquire picks...he'd spend his own picks so they could submit an offer sheet, but then still have picks from other teams so they are still drafting.

Something to keep an eye on.

[Pitts]

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

Would be really nice to find a 3rd team to help launder some cap through.

Because SJ retained salary, only one more team can retain salary on Karlsson. So either the Penguins retain, or they wash him through a 3rd team and they retain.

At that point, it would probably just makes sense for the Penguins to receive more draft capital for retention that getting a 3rd team involved. Karlsson would likely be really easy to move if the Penguins and another team could each retain 50%, getting his cap hit down to 2.5M. But can't happen.

Ah, gotcha!

[EndO FanEra]

Another thing to keep in mind with stockpiling picks....Taylor Haase mentioned in DK's Friday Insider piece that there is feeling that Dubas may throw out some offer sheets this summer. That's another reason to acquire picks...he'd spend his own picks so they could submit an offer sheet, but then still have picks from other teams so they are still drafting.

Something to keep an eye on.

I know we can have all of our picks next year for an offer sheet, but do we have anything to offer Montreal for our 2nd back this year?

Maybe a goalie prospect? Letang package? Maybe a player & a 3rd for our 2nd back?

[FLPensFan]

Another thing to keep in mind with stockpiling picks....Taylor Haase mentioned in DK's Friday Insider piece that there is feeling that Dubas may throw out some offer sheets this summer. That's another reason to acquire picks...he'd spend his own picks so they could submit an offer sheet, but then still have picks from other teams so they are still drafting.

Something to keep an eye on.

I know we can have all of our picks next year for an offer sheet, but do we have anything to offer Montreal for our 2nd back this year?

Maybe a goalie prospect? Letang package? Maybe a player & a 3rd for our 2nd back?

Or, we just wait until after the draft to offer sheet....which means we'd be offering 2026 draft picks, which we have all of our own.

[EndO FanEra]

Another thing to keep in mind with stockpiling picks....Taylor Haase mentioned in DK's Friday Insider piece that there is feeling that Dubas may throw out some offer sheets this summer. That's another reason to acquire picks...he'd spend his own picks so they could submit an offer sheet, but then still have picks from other teams so they are still drafting.

Something to keep an eye on.

I know we can have all of our picks next year for an offer sheet, but do we have anything to offer Montreal for our 2nd back this year?

Maybe a goalie prospect? Letang package? Maybe a player & a 3rd for our 2nd back?

Or, we just wait until after the draft to offer sheet....which means we'd be offering 2026 draft picks, which we have all of our own.

Yeah, I was just trying to see what it might take to be able to use this year's picks as well. I suppose it doesn't matter all that much.

But, if Dubas has any intentions of using next year's picks for an offer sheet (who are we kidding?), he should probably try to focus on some more picks for next year. Primarily a 1st, assuming that will be part of the offer sheet. Or, maybe the Ranger's pick ends up being in 2026.

[Puck-Lurker]

Another thing to keep in mind with stockpiling picks....Taylor Haase mentioned in DK's Friday Insider piece that there is feeling that Dubas may throw out some offer sheets this summer. That's another reason to acquire picks...he'd spend his own picks so they could submit an offer sheet, but then still have picks from other teams so they are still drafting.

Something to keep an eye on.

I know we can have all of our picks next year for an offer sheet, but do we have anything to offer Montreal for our 2nd back this year?

Maybe a goalie prospect? Letang package? Maybe a player & a 3rd for our 2nd back?

Or, we just wait until after the draft to offer sheet....which means we'd be offering 2026 draft picks, which we have all of our own.

Yeah, I was just trying to see what it might take to be able to use this year's picks as well. I suppose it doesn't matter all that much.

But, if Dubas has any intentions of using next year's picks for an offer sheet (who are we kidding?), he should probably try to focus on some more picks for next year. Primarily a 1st, assuming that will be part of the offer sheet. Or, maybe the Ranger's pick ends up being in 2026.

There's a goalie prospect in WBS we might trade.. former NHL all star, too!



I'd put Dubas in a mild plus, for his efforts so far if he did, too.

[Michael74]

Rakells value is extremely high. I doubt Pittsburgh moves him without anything less than an optimal return. We're in a very strong position in that regard. If not we have a very solid player at a low cap hit for the next few years. I'd prefer he get dealt however but only if we sell high. Win-win for us.

[Victor]

It takes two to tango. Someone has to want him. And then, there also may be a bit of GM pride in the equation too. Do you just "give him away" with retention for almost nothing in return, just to free up the cap space? Or do you retain if you can make a hockey trade, where you are getting some useful assets back.

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

Would be really nice to find a 3rd team to help launder some cap through.

Because SJ retained salary, only one more team can retain salary on Karlsson. So either the Penguins retain, or they wash him through a 3rd team and they retain.

At that point, it would probably just makes sense for the Penguins to receive more draft capital for retention that getting a 3rd team involved. Karlsson would likely be really easy to move if the Penguins and another team could each retain 50%, getting his cap hit down to 2.5M. But can't happen.

If SJ is the 3rd team involved, does that allow both Penguins and Sharks to retain or would it count as SJ retaining salary twice on Karlsson?

[Puck-Lurker]

He still has value in this league, and if Dubas retains he is even more valuable. I am not sure what the max amount of retention is on his contract (he is already being retained) but if we retain the max, I would hope for a rather large return.

If a Karlsson trade happens, I think it'll be in the summer, where things are more fluid. Regardless, of any Karlsson deal, they desperately need to begin grooming a young right handed defenseman.

Would be really nice to find a 3rd team to help launder some cap through.

Because SJ retained salary, only one more team can retain salary on Karlsson. So either the Penguins retain, or they wash him through a 3rd team and they retain.

At that point, it would probably just makes sense for the Penguins to receive more draft capital for retention that getting a 3rd team involved. Karlsson would likely be really easy to move if the Penguins and another team could each retain 50%, getting his cap hit down to 2.5M. But can't happen.

If SJ is the 3rd team involved, does that allow both Penguins and Sharks to retain or would it count as SJ retaining salary twice on Karlsson?

I think the language used is that no more than two TEAMS can retain salary on a player.

Suggests strongly to me that Karlsson's contract could be retained by both Pens AND Sharks to another team.

Sharks previously retained but due to the size of the contract could still retain up to ~4.25M more if they can indeed eat up to 50% of the total contract. Not that they should or would. And if this possible, it's a loophole they should think about closing.

Contract could be pushed down to 2.875M for 2 more years. Without this Sharks scenario, 4.25M.

If Pens retain a large chunk, throw in a role player and give me a first round pick.

[thehockeyguru]

Rakells value is extremely high. I doubt Pittsburgh moves him without anything less than an optimal return. We're in a very strong position in that regard. If not we have a very solid player at a low cap hit for the next few years. I'd prefer he get dealt however but only if we sell high. Win-win for us.

What's the benefit of keeping him? We aren't a playoff team let alone a contender with him. Also factor in that his value has never been higher I don't know how you keep him.

He's holding us back from sucking and I'm not a fan of that.

[KG]

Tampa is always a team that's agressive come deadline time. They are looking for depth on F and D. Rakell and Gryz make sense for them. Maybe we can get Geekie. That would be great. Big center they got in the Sergachev trade he was just sent down.

Rakell, Gryz for Geekie, Sheary (take his 1 year cap dump to get a real solid piece). Something like that maybe.

[Puck-Lurker]

Rakells value is extremely high. I doubt Pittsburgh moves him without anything less than an optimal return. We're in a very strong position in that regard. If not we have a very solid player at a low cap hit for the next few years. I'd prefer he get dealt however but only if we sell high. Win-win for us.

What's the benefit of keeping him? We aren't a playoff team let alone a contender with him. Also factor in that his value has never been higher I don't know how you keep him.

He's holding us back from sucking and I'm not a fan of that.

He's holding us back from sucking is the only type of argument I'd dismiss, to be honest.

Rakell is at peak value. But if the offers aren't excellent, keep him. A 2nd rounder and a third rate prospect are not enough to deal him. May as well wait a season and get more. We're not 'one piece away' from making the playoffs. And we're not 'one piece away' from a top 3 pick. Trying to aim for either is pointless.

Play the hand we are dealt. Make room for a bunch more younger players. Be that players already in Wilkes-Barre (Koivunen et al.), players acquired in trades (Tomasino), or draft picks that don't have 30 year old nobodies in front of them.

Sullivan can't play them if they are not under contract or on the roster. Dubas needs to sort this the F out. If we have 12 useful forwards and Nieto and Acciari, you know we will be playing with 10 useful forwards plus Nieto and Acciari. Just don't have them on the roster!
I'll notch this up as a big negative for Dubas if he doesn't address it.

[thehockeyguru]

Rakells value is extremely high. I doubt Pittsburgh moves him without anything less than an optimal return. We're in a very strong position in that regard. If not we have a very solid player at a low cap hit for the next few years. I'd prefer he get dealt however but only if we sell high. Win-win for us.

What's the benefit of keeping him? We aren't a playoff team let alone a contender with him. Also factor in that his value has never been higher I don't know how you keep him.

He's holding us back from sucking and I'm not a fan of that.

He's holding us back from sucking is the only type of argument I'd dismiss, to be honest.

Rakell is at peak value. But if the offers aren't excellent, keep him. A 2nd rounder and a third rate prospect are not enough to deal him. May as well wait a season and get more. We're not 'one piece away' from making the playoffs. And we're not 'one piece away' from a top 3 pick. Trying to aim for either is pointless.

Play the hand we are dealt. Make room for a bunch more younger players. Be that players already in Wilkes-Barre (Koivunen et al.), players acquired in trades (Tomasino), or draft picks that don't have 30 year old nobodies in front of them.

Sullivan can't play them if they are not under contract or on the roster. Dubas needs to sort this the F out. If we have 12 useful forwards and Nieto and Acciari, you know we will be playing with 10 useful forwards plus Nieto and Acciari. Just don't have them on the roster!
I'll notch this up as a big negative for Dubas if he doesn't address it.

I don't like the if it's not an excellent offer dont take it position.

He's going to be 32 before next season, are you betting that Rakell will play better next season?

If he doesn't the offers won't be getting any better.

[Puck-Lurker]

Rakells value is extremely high. I doubt Pittsburgh moves him without anything less than an optimal return. We're in a very strong position in that regard. If not we have a very solid player at a low cap hit for the next few years. I'd prefer he get dealt however but only if we sell high. Win-win for us.

What's the benefit of keeping him? We aren't a playoff team let alone a contender with him. Also factor in that his value has never been higher I don't know how you keep him.

He's holding us back from sucking and I'm not a fan of that.

He's holding us back from sucking is the only type of argument I'd dismiss, to be honest.

Rakell is at peak value. But if the offers aren't excellent, keep him. A 2nd rounder and a third rate prospect are not enough to deal him. May as well wait a season and get more. We're not 'one piece away' from making the playoffs. And we're not 'one piece away' from a top 3 pick. Trying to aim for either is pointless.

Play the hand we are dealt. Make room for a bunch more younger players. Be that players already in Wilkes-Barre (Koivunen et al.), players acquired in trades (Tomasino), or draft picks that don't have 30 year old nobodies in front of them.

Sullivan can't play them if they are not under contract or on the roster. Dubas needs to sort this the F out. If we have 12 useful forwards and Nieto and Acciari, you know we will be playing with 10 useful forwards plus Nieto and Acciari. Just don't have them on the roster!
I'll notch this up as a big negative for Dubas if he doesn't address it.

I don't like the if it's not an excellent offer dont take it position.

He's going to be 32 before next season, are you betting that Rakell will play better next season?

If he doesn't the offers won't be getting any better.

You can get a 2nd and meh prospect next season just as well. It makes little difference.

Excellent is poor wording on my part, I apologise. I think a 1st plus B level prospect or your top prospect (provided it's someone we want) plus a 2nd is merely fair value right now. Excellent is a 1st and a B level prospect and a 2nd or 3rd or something. Or a package that brings in more useful things, sending out someone we can part with.

I also don't think that means you need to sit still as an org if you end up keeping Rakell, because offers were poor. Or offering teams were on his NTC list.

You make Rust available and try to deal him for, frankly, the same kind of value. Rust has a NMC this season, but he would probably be open to a trade, since the NMC expires into an mNTC next season. Chances are you will get a fair deal for one of the two. Dubas has been decent at selling off players.

There's this thought in my brain that he doesn't want to trade Rakell and doesn't want to trade Rust. Now THAT would be a mistake. Selling low though, not seeing the point.

[thehockeyguru]

The Pens are 11 from the bottom, you move Rakell I could see us getting into the bottom 6. That is a huge potential jump and reason enough for me to move him regardless of the return

[FLPensFan]

The Pens are 11 from the bottom, you move Rakell I could see us getting into the bottom 6. That is a huge potential jump and reason enough for me to move him regardless of the return

Rakell to LA for Brandt Clarke, Tanner Jeannot (cap purposes) and a 2026 1st or 2nd
Rakell to WPG for Brad Lambert/Cole Perfetti and a 2026 1st or 2nd
Rakell to DET for Marco Kasper and a 2026 1st or 2nd
Rakell to OTT for Shane Pinto/Carter Yamenchuk and a 2026 1st or 2nd

I'd take any deal in a heartbeat similar to the ones above.