Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[KG]

Article from a Utah beat writer perspective, written at the end of December. Sounds like a very good pickup with little risk.

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/12/ ... ub-season/

Thanks for sharing. Definitely sounds promising and well worth the waiver pickup.

Would be great if he hits and can be in the top 6 making league minimum.

Could see KD looking to bring in a solid LHD man in free agency or trade.

Hopefully he sells high on Gryz

[dark_forces]

Article from a Utah beat writer perspective, written at the end of December. Sounds like a very good pickup with little risk.

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/12/ ... ub-season/

Cole praised him in that article, a lot, said he has all the tools to be really good. His coach says he works really, really hard; but hadn't been working hard the right way.

That alone is enough to get doghoused by Sullivan.

There's no downside, assuming Gryzelyk is moved, put him in the left side mix with POJ, Shea, Pickering, and Graves. He has physical tools, is young, + we got him for nothing. If he becomes a solid 3rd pairing option, it's a win. There's no guarantee that POJ, Graves, or Shea are even on next year's roster. This guy may be.

[Puck-Lurker]

Article from a Utah beat writer perspective, written at the end of December. Sounds like a very good pickup with little risk.

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/12/ ... ub-season/

Cole praised him in that article, a lot, said he has all the tools to be really good. His coach says he works really, really hard; but hadn't been working hard the right way.

That alone is enough to get doghoused by Sullivan.

There's no downside, assuming Gryzelyk is moved, put him in the left side mix with POJ, Shea, Pickering, and Graves. He has physical tools, is young, + we got him for nothing. If he becomes a solid 3rd pairing option, it's a win. There's no guarantee that POJ, Graves, or Shea are even on next year's roster. This guy may be.

We sorta kinda half traded Puljujärvi for him, in a way

[Pens4Life]

Article from a Utah beat writer perspective, written at the end of December. Sounds like a very good pickup with little risk.

https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/12/ ... ub-season/

Thanks for sharing. Definitely sounds promising and well worth the waiver pickup.

Would be great if he hits and can be in the top 6 making league minimum.

Could see KD looking to bring in a solid LHD man in free agency or trade.

Hopefully he sells high on Gryz

I dont know if they will be looking for LHD in FA..
Pickering back to NHL next season, Joseph, Graves (untradeable) and new guy Kolyachonok, 4 guys for 3 spots.. if we go into young mode,thats good enough. Maybe get another prospect and bury him in AHL for a season or Shea back as insurance on cheap for depth.

[KG]

Saw an article talking about Karlsson going back to the Sens. Kypreos said the Sens are looking for a top 4 D and he could make sense if they could make the money work etc. The cap going up will definitely help get a trade done too.

[Pitts]

Saw an article talking about Karlsson going back to the Sens. Kypreos said the Sens are looking for a top 4 D and he could make sense if they could make the money work etc. The cap going up will definitely help get a trade done too.

Yeah, I was wondering if this pickup is a prelude to a trade coming soon.

[dark_forces]

Saw an article talking about Karlsson going back to the Sens. Kypreos said the Sens are looking for a top 4 D and he could make sense if they could make the money work etc. The cap going up will definitely help get a trade done too.

Yeah, I was wondering if this pickup is a prelude to a trade coming soon.

I think this was a back fill, in a way, for Pettersson. This guy has shown he can play in the NHL and we're in the position to offer him a good look.
They already know what they have in POJ and Graves, and Gryzlyk likely won't be back.

[Puck-Lurker]

Saw an article talking about Karlsson going back to the Sens. Kypreos said the Sens are looking for a top 4 D and he could make sense if they could make the money work etc. The cap going up will definitely help get a trade done too.

Yeah, I was wondering if this pickup is a prelude to a trade coming soon.

I think this was a back fill, in a way, for Pettersson. This guy has shown he can play in the NHL and we're in the position to offer him a good look.
They already know what they have in POJ and Graves, and Gryzlyk likely won't be back.

That's what it looked like to me too. Although I fervently hope we part with Grz this season. Come on, someone take him!

[KG]

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2025/02/p ... tting.html

Yohe speculating the asking price for Rakell would be a 1st round pick + a top prospect who is close to playing.

If they can get that, or close to it you have to pull the trigger. Preferably get a 1st round pick in 26 draft.

[FLPensFan]

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2025/02/p ... tting.html

Yohe speculating the asking price for Rakell would be a 1st round pick + a top prospect who is close to playing.

If they can get that, or close to it you have to pull the trigger. Preferably get a 1st round pick in 26 draft.

There was also a top trade targets for Winnipeg in the Athletic today. Rakell was #1 on their list, but the writer had some concerns:

Rakell hit the 30-goal plateau twice during his long career in Anaheim and is on pace to do it again for Pittsburgh this season. I wouldn’t count on that kind of production to last in Winnipeg. Rakell has scored on 17 percent of his shots this year — roughly one and a half times his career average — while playing more often than every forward in Winnipeg except for Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Rakell also played more of his minutes with Sidney Crosby than any other Penguins player — by some distance — and I’m skeptical that he’s more than a secondary scorer. Maybe it’s the Nikolaj Ehlers-Vladislav Namestnikov-Cole Perfetti line’s hot streak, or maybe it’s the Penguins’ usage gassing Rakell’s numbers, but I find myself less interested in Rakell than I thought I would be. I’m guessing the three years left on his $5 million contract are worth more to a middling team than a contender such as Winnipeg.

Basically, high shooting percentage, high # of minutes, his contract, and the Crosby effect could alter teams perceived view of him. I think Rakell's deal along with his production are going to end up being a steal in a quickly rising cap world.

[Pitts]

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2025/02/p ... tting.html

Yohe speculating the asking price for Rakell would be a 1st round pick + a top prospect who is close to playing.

If they can get that, or close to it you have to pull the trigger. Preferably get a 1st round pick in 26 draft.

There was also a top trade targets for Winnipeg in the Athletic today. Rakell was #1 on their list, but the writer had some concerns:

Rakell hit the 30-goal plateau twice during his long career in Anaheim and is on pace to do it again for Pittsburgh this season. I wouldn’t count on that kind of production to last in Winnipeg. Rakell has scored on 17 percent of his shots this year — roughly one and a half times his career average — while playing more often than every forward in Winnipeg except for Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Rakell also played more of his minutes with Sidney Crosby than any other Penguins player — by some distance — and I’m skeptical that he’s more than a secondary scorer. Maybe it’s the Nikolaj Ehlers-Vladislav Namestnikov-Cole Perfetti line’s hot streak, or maybe it’s the Penguins’ usage gassing Rakell’s numbers, but I find myself less interested in Rakell than I thought I would be. I’m guessing the three years left on his $5 million contract are worth more to a middling team than a contender such as Winnipeg.

Basically, high shooting percentage, high # of minutes, his contract, and the Crosby effect could alter teams perceived view of him. I think Rakell's deal along with his production are going to end up being a steal in a quickly rising cap world.

Here are some direct quotes from Josh's article, https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/612642 ... 4-nations/

This is going to become a big story before the March 7 NHL trade deadline. Rakell, who will count $5 million against the salary cap through the 2027-28 season, has never played better and is highly coveted around the league. If early indications forecast what is to come, it’s a seller’s market. A Marcus Pettersson/Drew O’Connor package fetched a first-round pick for the Penguins. Even more noteworthy, a Cody Ceci/Mikael Granlund package fetched a first-round pick for San Jose. That’s not a typo.

The Penguins aren’t eager to trade Rakell. At 31, he’s in his prime and has quickly proven that last season’s struggles were an aberration. His cap hit is reasonable, if not a steal. He has real chemistry with Crosby. And one year after sending Jake Guentzel to Carolina, Penguins boss Kyle Dubas probably isn’t prioritizing depriving Crosby of yet another preferred winger.

The salary cap is skyrocketing next season and beyond. Because of that, a player such as Rakell might have more trade value this summer and next season, when teams gain more cap flexibility. And the 2026 NHL Draft is considered one of the best in many years, so waiting to trade a player of value until a year from now is theoretically safe.

[ahawk9]

I agree with the sentiment that they hold on to Rakell for now, unless they get exactly what KD wants. They say it's a seller's market, and with the cap going up, his hit and term aren't that big a deal, really. He'll be 34 when it ends, which isn't bad. If someone gets itchy and throws that No. 1, top prospect, etc., then do it. Otherwise, they can wait it out. Nice spot to be in.

[FLPensFan]

I agree with the sentiment that they hold on to Rakell for now, unless they get exactly what KD wants. They say it's a seller's market, and with the cap going up, his hit and term aren't that big a deal, really. He'll be 34 when it ends, which isn't bad. If someone gets itchy and throws that No. 1, top prospect, etc., then do it. Otherwise, they can wait it out. Nice spot to be in.

Yeah, I don't know what Dubas's asking price is. It should be a 2026 1st plus a top 3 prospect or under 24 young NHLer. Not sure if there should be more in that deal or not. I mentioned a few teams and who I would ask for in return for Rakell, but, here is a list of some more playoff teams and who would be my ask from the prospect or young NHL side. I've started the list with the teams that have the BEST prospect pool as ranked by the Athletic

--Minnesota (2nd overall prospects by Athletic) - 2026 1st and either C Danila Yurov or RHD David Jiricek
--Detroit (5th overall prospects) - 2026 1st and C Marco Kasper or RHD Axel Sandin Pellikka
--Columbus (6th overall prospects) -2026 1st and current C Cole Sillinger (they have some good prospects, but Lindstrom has back issues, and others are undersized); I also think with Jenner returning it is slightly more plausible that they could give up Sillinger.
--Washington (9th overall prospects) - Don't really see a need here for Rakell.
--Winnipeg (15th overall prospects) - 2026 1st and and C Brad Lambert or RHD Elias Salomonsson
--Carolina (16th overall prospects) - Don't see a need here for Rakell.
--New Jersey (17th overall prospects) - Cap may be an issue. Otherwise, 2026 1st and RHD Simon Nemec or LHD Anton Silayev

[Michael74]

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2025/02/p ... tting.html

Yohe speculating the asking price for Rakell would be a 1st round pick + a top prospect who is close to playing.

If they can get that, or close to it you have to pull the trigger. Preferably get a 1st round pick in 26 draft.

And IF they can get such a package they most assuredly should trade him. But yes, the ask should be high for the reasons stated. (Low cap hit with the cap going up considerably, great production, 31 yrs old and signed through '28). 100% agree get the '26 1st if possible.

[thehockeyguru]

I agree with the sentiment that they hold on to Rakell for now, unless they get exactly what KD wants. They say it's a seller's market, and with the cap going up, his hit and term aren't that big a deal, really. He'll be 34 when it ends, which isn't bad. If someone gets itchy and throws that No. 1, top prospect, etc., then do it. Otherwise, they can wait it out. Nice spot to be in.

Yeah, I don't know what Dubas's asking price is. It should be a 2026 1st plus a top 3 prospect or under 24 young NHLer. Not sure if there should be more in that deal or not. I mentioned a few teams and who I would ask for in return for Rakell, but, here is a list of some more playoff teams and who would be my ask from the prospect or young NHL side. I've started the list with the teams that have the BEST prospect pool as ranked by the Athletic

--Minnesota (2nd overall prospects by Athletic) - 2026 1st and either C Danila Yurov or RHD David Jiricek
--Detroit (5th overall prospects) - 2026 1st and C Marco Kasper or RHD Axel Sandin Pellikka
--Columbus (6th overall prospects) -2026 1st and current C Cole Sillinger (they have some good prospects, but Lindstrom has back issues, and others are undersized); I also think with Jenner returning it is slightly more plausible that they could give up Sillinger.
--Washington (9th overall prospects) - Don't really see a need here for Rakell.
--Winnipeg (15th overall prospects) - 2026 1st and and C Brad Lambert or RHD Elias Salomonsson
--Carolina (16th overall prospects) - Don't see a need here for Rakell.
--New Jersey (17th overall prospects) - Cap may be an issue. Otherwise, 2026 1st and RHD Simon Nemec or LHD Anton Silayev

I'm a bit surprised that Dubas hasn't asked Rust if he would waive his NTC. A trade to Detroit would be one way to get him to waive

[100565]

I think there are several teams that might think “let’s swing for the cup this year.” Several contending teams have some high end UFAs. with many teams with cap space, this offseason could see some UFAs cashing in. Some contenders have to wonder if they may lose a key piece this summer and decide to go all in now.

If so, that could be great for Pens.

[Badamski9]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

[BigMcK]

I think there are several teams that might think “let’s swing for the cup this year.” Several contending teams have some high end UFAs. with many teams with cap space, this offseason could see some UFAs cashing in. Some contenders have to wonder if they may lose a key piece this summer and decide to go all in now.

If so, that could be great for Pens.

I agree . GM's around the league know with more money to spend soon, other GM's are about to turn into drunken sailors on leave at the mercantile next door to the rum bar. This is a Golden chance to go all-in and add tools to their Stanley Cup toolbox. The Penguins have many tools for sale and KD needs to work the room with a list of who's available for a trade.

Keep the current coach in place until the end of the season, part ways, and then Dubas can really put together a solid gameplan.

[FLPensFan]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.

Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.

Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.

Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.

[Antonio]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.

Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.

Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.

Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.

Yup

[Michael74]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

If you get a premium return for Rakell you need to do so. Crosby and the Pens have not won a playoff series since 2018. He's a great player, but I don't think he's owed anything extra at this point. We're grateful for his contributions here but we need to look toward the future. I only trade Rakell though for a big return, just to be clear.

[Michael74]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.

Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.

Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.

Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.

Well said, totally agree.

[Pitts]

I don’t think trading Rakell is a good idea. Here’s my reasoning: Sid committed to staying here through this rebuild, we owe it to him to give him quality players to play with. Rakell’s cap hit is minimal for a 1st line winger. Just my two cents…

I'll take the dissenting opinion. This team needs to move forward. Crosby is 37. Malkin is 38. Rust is 32. Rakell is 31. Bunting is 29. We keep hanging onto all these old players because we want them all to retire as Penguins, or because we want Sid to have his bestie playing with him, or Y, Z, etc....it's going to be a long, hard rebuild.

Dubas should be trading away the top assets he has when their value is at their highest. Rakell's value, whether it is at the trade deadline or this summer, is not likely to get much higher. As these guys get older, teams are going to pay less or expect production to start dropping.

Sell while the value is high. That doesn't mean he has to sell Rakell, Rust, and Bunting before next season. But Dubas needs to start acquiring some young players from other teams and the draft that have a chance to become top 6 players. We are good in goal. We are looking decent on defense with Pickering, Brunicke, Pieniniemi and Harding, but we could use another guy that is more top pairing. Forward...we have very little that MIGHT be top 6. Right now, that would be maybe McGroarty or Koivunen.

Dubas needs more forwards with top 6 potential. Do what must be done to acquire them.

Agreed. Besides, having solid top 6 YOUNG forwards might be very good for Sid in his closing years. Make him feel young again!

I think I read we currently have 29 picks over the next 2 years! That is nuts! Keep adding more.

[KG]

Kypreos was saying that the Stars are looking at Seth Jones since they have the LTIR cap space.

I wonder if they are also kicking the can on EK? Stars have a real nice system and ready now players.

[FLPensFan]

Kypreos was saying that the Stars are looking at Seth Jones since they have the LTIR cap space.

I wonder if they are also kicking the can on EK? Stars have a real nice system and ready now players.

They have the young NHLers. Their system is ranked rather low after guys like Stankoven, Johnston, and Bourque started playing in the NHL.
If they would do EK65 for 2026 1st, Mavrique Bourque, and Matt Dumba (cap dump) I'd probably do it.

There continues to be noise on EK65 back to OTT. The problem with OTT is, they need to forfeit a 1st round pick due to Dadonov trade (didn't tell Dallas about NTC). They need to either forfeit 2025 1st or the 2026 1st. That might make a trade with them less likely.

Me personally, I'd do something like EK65 and Blake Lizotte for Shane Pinto, 2025 2nd, and maybe a 3rd or B level prospect.