Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[Daniel]

I'd definitely trade Rakell if there's a good offer, but I also see the argument for keeping him. As a fan, I'm interested in seeing Crosby keep climbing the all-time scoring ladder, and that's going to be harder for him playing with Rust and Rico Fata 2.0. And it's not like having Rakell on the team will prevent the Pens from tanking, as this season shows.

Of course, maybe they can draft an NHL-ready, high-end guy that can play with Crosby (Martone?), and it won't matter if he loses Rakell as a winger.

With Rakell, I'd have a very specific requirement that's probably a higher value than he's worth. If Dubas gets it, excellent, if not, his value likely won't go down by this time next year.

Rakell is having a career year, there's no guarantee whatsoever he won't regress a bit. He'll be a year older and is already on the other side of 30. He won't have more value than he has currently.

Listen, this team isn't going anywhere WITH him, they could do just as bad without him while accruing future contributors and assets in the process. That's what we should be doing.

Worrying about Sid over what's best for the team IMO is very shortsighted. If he were smart he'd go to the Avs to play with Nate. If he wants to stay, so be it. But he knew this team and with it's aging core was inevitably gonna take a step or three backwards.

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

You insist upon a 26 1st now. We have a lot of leverage here.

Again no guarantees Rakell will have the same value next year. He's a year older, he could get injured, he could regress etc.

Exactly, and if you can't get a 26 1st? Do you settle or wait until next year?

[Daniel]

I'd definitely trade Rakell if there's a good offer, but I also see the argument for keeping him. As a fan, I'm interested in seeing Crosby keep climbing the all-time scoring ladder, and that's going to be harder for him playing with Rust and Rico Fata 2.0. And it's not like having Rakell on the team will prevent the Pens from tanking, as this season shows.

Of course, maybe they can draft an NHL-ready, high-end guy that can play with Crosby (Martone?), and it won't matter if he loses Rakell as a winger.

With Rakell, I'd have a very specific requirement that's probably a higher value than he's worth. If Dubas gets it, excellent, if not, his value likely won't go down by this time next year.

Rakell is having a career year, there's no guarantee whatsoever he won't regress a bit. He'll be a year older and is already on the other side of 30. He won't have more value than he has currently.

Listen, this team isn't going anywhere WITH him, they could do just as bad without him while accruing future contributors and assets in the process. That's what we should be doing.

Worrying about Sid over what's best for the team IMO is very shortsighted. If he were smart he'd go to the Avs to play with Nate. If he wants to stay, so be it. But he knew this team and with it's aging core was inevitably gonna take a step or three backwards.

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

I prioritize player/prospect over the pick. I think that is more important to the goal of short-turnaround rebuild on the fly.

That depends on Sullivan's future. If you think he can coach through a rebuild, sure it'll be quicker. If you think he'll just continue to ignore and ruin younger players, do you really want an NHL ready prospect today? If you think he'll be fired after this year, then yes get an NHL ready 21-23 year old player.

[Puck-Lurker]

With Rakell, I'd have a very specific requirement that's probably a higher value than he's worth. If Dubas gets it, excellent, if not, his value likely won't go down by this time next year.

Rakell is having a career year, there's no guarantee whatsoever he won't regress a bit. He'll be a year older and is already on the other side of 30. He won't have more value than he has currently.

Listen, this team isn't going anywhere WITH him, they could do just as bad without him while accruing future contributors and assets in the process. That's what we should be doing.

Worrying about Sid over what's best for the team IMO is very shortsighted. If he were smart he'd go to the Avs to play with Nate. If he wants to stay, so be it. But he knew this team and with it's aging core was inevitably gonna take a step or three backwards.

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

I prioritize player/prospect over the pick. I think that is more important to the goal of short-turnaround rebuild on the fly.

That depends on Sullivan's future. If you think he can coach through a rebuild, sure it'll be quicker. If you think he'll just continue to ignore and ruin younger players, do you really want an NHL ready prospect today? If you think he'll be fired after this year, then yes get an NHL ready 21-23 year old player.

2025 1st and C prospect is a no for me. At that stage, you wait it out for 2026, which is supposed to be a better draft class.

As long as Sullivan is here, this team can't get out of 2nd gear. That's not to say another coach will do better in the short run, but ooh boy, just with more common sense decisions, I'd like it so much better.

That's something I liked Sullivan for, early days.

[Michael74]

With Rakell, I'd have a very specific requirement that's probably a higher value than he's worth. If Dubas gets it, excellent, if not, his value likely won't go down by this time next year.

Rakell is having a career year, there's no guarantee whatsoever he won't regress a bit. He'll be a year older and is already on the other side of 30. He won't have more value than he has currently.

Listen, this team isn't going anywhere WITH him, they could do just as bad without him while accruing future contributors and assets in the process. That's what we should be doing.

Worrying about Sid over what's best for the team IMO is very shortsighted. If he were smart he'd go to the Avs to play with Nate. If he wants to stay, so be it. But he knew this team and with it's aging core was inevitably gonna take a step or three backwards.

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

You insist upon a 26 1st now. We have a lot of leverage here.

Again no guarantees Rakell will have the same value next year. He's a year older, he could get injured, he could regress etc.

Exactly, and if you can't get a 26 1st? Do you settle or wait until next year?

Waiting til next year doesn't guarantee a 26 1st. And considering how significant the seller is favored in this years TDL I seriously doubt a team desperate for goalscoring would stonewall us on getting a '26 1st as opposed to a '25 1st. Maybe in some years. But this dynamic is very different. With the cap going as much as it is, Rakell at 5 mil and with term in and of itself is a huge bargain and decisive trade chip in our favor..

[thehockeyguru]

No surprise Friedman thinks Karlsson likely traded this summer after his bonus is paid

[Puck-Lurker]

Rakell is having a career year, there's no guarantee whatsoever he won't regress a bit. He'll be a year older and is already on the other side of 30. He won't have more value than he has currently.

Listen, this team isn't going anywhere WITH him, they could do just as bad without him while accruing future contributors and assets in the process. That's what we should be doing.

Worrying about Sid over what's best for the team IMO is very shortsighted. If he were smart he'd go to the Avs to play with Nate. If he wants to stay, so be it. But he knew this team and with it's aging core was inevitably gonna take a step or three backwards.

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

You insist upon a 26 1st now. We have a lot of leverage here.

Again no guarantees Rakell will have the same value next year. He's a year older, he could get injured, he could regress etc.

Exactly, and if you can't get a 26 1st? Do you settle or wait until next year?

Waiting til next year doesn't guarantee a 26 1st. And considering how significant the seller is favored in this years TDL I seriously doubt a team desperate for goalscoring would stonewall us on getting a '26 1st as opposed to a '25 1st. Maybe in some years. But this dynamic is very different. With the cap going as much as it is, Rakell at 5 mil and with term in and of itself is a huge bargain and decisive trade chip in our favor..

Any deal with a 1st, I expect sugar on top. That's a B level prospect if the pick's projecting around the middle of the first round, more value needed if towards the bottom.



And I'd sooner trade him for a 2nd and DOC next year (if that is his value then) if it means not getting robbed this year. Though at that value, you might just keep him, really.

[KG]

[thehockeyguru]

There isn't much I would want from Columbus, Lindstrom and Mateychuk are both untouchable

[Puck-Lurker]

CBJ has massive amounts of cap space.

They have two first rounders in 2025, both projecting to be in the bottom half of the 1st round. Also their own 1st in 2026, figure it is a middle of the round pick too.

They have a bunch of young players on the roster, though I can't imagine they'd give them up. Wouldn't mind Fantili in a Pens jersey Not familiar with their prospects pool, but I recall it was rated fairly highly.

Also, throw in Daemon Hunt in a trade, for the memes.

EDIT: I think CBJ would rather want to try a deal like the Pettersson one.. throwing back some random old veteran we don't have ANY use for and keep all of their valuable assets. I'd pass on that; Dubas probably would too.

[FLPensFan]

There isn't much I would want from Columbus, Lindstrom and Mateychuk are both untouchable

Cole Sillinger and a 2026 1st. Gavin Brindley, 2026 1st, plus another 2nd or 3rd (CBJ has no 25 or 26 2nd)

[Michael74]

I agree he should be traded, but if you get the same thing this year you'll likely get next year, I'd wait. If a team is willing to overpay, even slightly, I don't hesitate.

2025 1st + C prospect. Do you take that or see about getting a 2026 1st + C prospect in a deeper draft?

I don't think Sid's feelings should play into this at all.

You insist upon a 26 1st now. We have a lot of leverage here.

Again no guarantees Rakell will have the same value next year. He's a year older, he could get injured, he could regress etc.

Exactly, and if you can't get a 26 1st? Do you settle or wait until next year?

Waiting til next year doesn't guarantee a 26 1st. And considering how significant the seller is favored in this years TDL I seriously doubt a team desperate for goalscoring would stonewall us on getting a '26 1st as opposed to a '25 1st. Maybe in some years. But this dynamic is very different. With the cap going as much as it is, Rakell at 5 mil and with term in and of itself is a huge bargain and decisive trade chip in our favor..

Any deal with a 1st, I expect sugar on top. That's a B level prospect if the pick's projecting around the middle of the first round, more value needed if towards the bottom.



And I'd sooner trade him for a 2nd and DOC next year (if that is his value then) if it means not getting robbed this year. Though at that value, you might just keep him, really.

Oh, ok. Let me be clear, I fully would expect more than a 1st. But the context was would you settle for a '25 1st as opposed to a '26 1st. And I said that in this climate we wouldn't have to. That doesn't mean other components wouldn't be involved. There undoubtedly would be, we were just drilling down on what years number one we'd accept.

[Puck-Lurker]

There isn't much I would want from Columbus, Lindstrom and Mateychuk are both untouchable

Cole Sillinger and a 2026 1st. Gavin Brindley, 2026 1st, plus another 2nd or 3rd (CBJ has no 25 or 26 2nd)

Sillinger.. isn't he just Glass by another name?

[thehockeyguru]

There isn't much I would want from Columbus, Lindstrom and Mateychuk are both untouchable

Cole Sillinger and a 2026 1st. Gavin Brindley, 2026 1st, plus another 2nd or 3rd (CBJ has no 25 or 26 2nd)

Sillinger.. isn't he just Glass by another name?

Yeah I'm not sold on Sillinger and Brindley is really small.

[Michael74]

Not saying that's an accurate take or not, but the guy has 50 followers. It's not necessarily a credible source.

[Puck-Lurker]

Oh, ok. Let me be clear, I fully would expect more than a 1st. But the context was would you settle for a '25 1st as opposed to a '26 1st. And I said that in this climate we wouldn't have to. That doesn't mean other components wouldn't be involved. There undoubtedly would be, we were just drilling down on what years number one we'd accept.

Ah fair, completely misunderstood what you were driving at. Sorry!

Pick now in a draft that's okay. Or pick later in a draft we think now will be better.

I.. don't care. You get a prospect that's closer by getting the pick now, they get an "extra year" of development on the '26 scenario; or they may not (injury, bad coaching, whatever). The '26 player 'might' be better, though that advantage is highly uncertain, or we whiff on the pick.

Lead or scrap iron, as we say here. I'd prefer getting a top-10, top-15 pick over 20-something overall. But those won't be on offer. The teams that will come calling don't carry those picks from trades and will have late 1st rounders because they will make the playoffs themselves.

In fact.. all the bottom 16 teams still have their own picks, I think? Only exception being Rags, since we have theirs via the Nucks.

[thehockeyguru]

Not saying that's an accurate take or not, but the guy has 50 followers. It's not necessarily a credible source.

He's not claiming to be an insider just posting what he heard the GM say on the radio

[Michael74]

Not saying that's an accurate take or not, but the guy has 50 followers. It's not necessarily a credible source.

He's not claiming to be an insider just posting what he heard the GM say on the radio

Right, but context is important. He's just theorizing that Rakell would be a name they're looking at. That's not like Friedman or McKenzie suggesting that however.

[Puck-Lurker]

There isn't much I would want from Columbus, Lindstrom and Mateychuk are both untouchable

Cole Sillinger and a 2026 1st. Gavin Brindley, 2026 1st, plus another 2nd or 3rd (CBJ has no 25 or 26 2nd)

Sillinger.. isn't he just Glass by another name?

Yeah I'm not sold on Sillinger and Brindley is really small.

Don't get me wrong, I like Glass just fine and would be happy to keep him at ~1.2-1.5M. Be a mistake to give a QO though he's certainly a useful piece. Just refuses to score goals. Do have to get rid of those other "useful" (not convinced they are) non-scoring players. Nieto.. Acciari.. Heinen..

[EndO FanEra]

Not confirmed, but seeing "The Penguins have acquired a 2028 fifth-round draft pick from the @SanJoseSharks in exchange for defenseman Vincent Desharnais."

Edit: Sure, why not. Who's next?

[Puck-Lurker]

Sounds like Dubas wasn't sold and cleared out a contract slot. 48/50

5th rounder.. meh.. wake me up when something interesting happens

[EndO FanEra]

Sounds like Dubas wasn't sold and cleared out a contract slot. 48/50

5th rounder.. meh.. wake me up when something interesting happens

[KG]

Good. Clear out $2mill. Getting picks in 28 now lol

[Michael74]

Oh, ok. Let me be clear, I fully would expect more than a 1st. But the context was would you settle for a '25 1st as opposed to a '26 1st. And I said that in this climate we wouldn't have to. That doesn't mean other components wouldn't be involved. There undoubtedly would be, we were just drilling down on what years number one we'd accept.

Ah fair, completely misunderstood what you were driving at. Sorry!

Pick now in a draft that's okay. Or pick later in a draft we think now will be better.

I.. don't care. You get a prospect that's closer by getting the pick now, they get an "extra year" of development on the '26 scenario; or they may not (injury, bad coaching, whatever). The '26 player 'might' be better, though that advantage is highly uncertain, or we whiff on the pick.

Lead or scrap iron, as we say here. I'd prefer getting a top-10, top-15 pick over 20-something overall. But those won't be on offer. The teams that will come calling don't carry those picks from trades and will have late 1st rounders because they will make the playoffs themselves.

In fact.. all the bottom 16 teams still have their own picks, I think? Only exception being Rags, since we have theirs via the Nucks.

We already have two 1sts this year. And while we can't conclusively know how good next years is, I'd prefer we have the '26 1st instead. You might not care, but I do. The Kings for example will likely make the playoffs. Next year They may not. I'd rather gamble on a stronger draft next year and possibly a higher pick next year. So, to encapsulate my perspective we could have two 1sts in both '25 and '26 as opposed to three in '25 and one in '26. Since we're only a few months from this years draft it's pretty apparent this is a down year for the draft. So yes, I'd prefer we accrue picks for '26.

[Puck-Lurker]

Oh, ok. Let me be clear, I fully would expect more than a 1st. But the context was would you settle for a '25 1st as opposed to a '26 1st. And I said that in this climate we wouldn't have to. That doesn't mean other components wouldn't be involved. There undoubtedly would be, we were just drilling down on what years number one we'd accept.

Ah fair, completely misunderstood what you were driving at. Sorry!

Pick now in a draft that's okay. Or pick later in a draft we think now will be better.

I.. don't care. You get a prospect that's closer by getting the pick now, they get an "extra year" of development on the '26 scenario; or they may not (injury, bad coaching, whatever). The '26 player 'might' be better, though that advantage is highly uncertain, or we whiff on the pick.

Lead or scrap iron, as we say here. I'd prefer getting a top-10, top-15 pick over 20-something overall. But those won't be on offer. The teams that will come calling don't carry those picks from trades and will have late 1st rounders because they will make the playoffs themselves.

In fact.. all the bottom 16 teams still have their own picks, I think? Only exception being Rags, since we have theirs via the Nucks.

We already have two 1sts this year. And while we can't conclusively know how good next years is, I'd prefer we have the '26 1st instead. You might not care, but I do. The Kings for example will likely make the playoffs. Next year They may not. I'd rather gamble on a stronger draft next year and possibly a higher pick next year. So, to encapsulate my perspective we could have two 1sts in both '25 and '26 as opposed to three in '25 and one in '26. Since we're only a few months from this years draft it's pretty apparent this is a down year for the draft. So yes, I'd prefer we accrue picks for '26.

I'm on board either way. I would much like a bag of goodies for favourite player not called Crosby or Malkin.

[Michael74]

Sounds like Dubas wasn't sold and cleared out a contract slot. 48/50

5th rounder.. meh.. wake me up when something interesting happens

Sure, why not.