5 potential 2C trade targets for Dubas

[FLPensFan]

I took a look yesterday afternoon to see what might be out there in terms of young potential trade targets for 2C. I think some of these guys aren't at a 2C level yet, but have the potential to get there. This is the list of 5 guys I came up with, and, I don't expect all of these guys to be available. Things I'm looking at are any conflicts with the team, guys potentially playing lower in the lineup than they should be, teams that may need to shake things up, or teams that have other young centers nearing NHL ready.

1. Mason McTavish - 22, 6 foot, 210lbs RH center - Discussed him in another post. Today, the Ducks have Leo Carlsson, Ryan Strome, Mason McTavish, and Isac Lundestrom as their 4 centers down the middle. In addition, Fabbri, Zegras, and Nesterenko can all play center as well. He's an RFA this summer. Coach called him a 3C with some offensive ability earlier in the year. Is there friction? Maybe. I would assume McTavish wants a shot at a bigger role, though. I think it is possible he could be available.

2. Shane Wright - 21, 6 foot, 195lbs, RH center - 2022 4th overall pick was rushed to the NHL and hampered his development. Wright is currently playing 4C, and in his first full NHL season this year, he has 18 goals, 42 points. I don't think he's been 4C all year, but, that's also not the place for him to grow as a player. He's got Chandler Stephenson, Matty Berniers, and Jared McCann above him. Seattle also has 2024 8th overall pick Berkly Catton waiting in the wings. Catton was 3rd in WHL scoring this year behind only Gavin McKenna and Andrew Cristall, and he's currently 4 points behind the WHL playoff point leader.

3. Marco Rossi - 23, 5 foot 9, 185lbs LH center - Of all the players on this list, I think he is the least available. But he's playing 3C for the Wild, with Freddie Gaudreau above him? He's been in the rumor mill the last 2 years though, and he's an RFA coming off his ELC. AFP has him at 6 years, 6.75M AAV or 2 years and 4.6M AAV as their projections. Cap space shouldn't be an issue for the Wild, as Parise and Suter dead cap hit drops from 14.5M this year down to 1.6M next year and beyond. But again, this is Rossi's 2nd year in a row with 20 plus goals, and he hit 60 points this year. Could he be unhappy with his role and try to force a move?

4. Barrett Hayton - turns 25 this summer, 6 foot 1, 205lbs LH center - Hayton is currently Utah's 2C and like Rossi, Utah probably isn't going to move him. His age also makes me not want to spend as high of resources on him. But Tij Iginla was also drafted by Utah, and will likely be on the team in the next 2 years. Hayton is an RFA after next season.

5. Connor Zary - 23, 6 foot, 180lbs LH C/W - Zary has been playing further down the lineup in Calgary, and has been out injured with a knee injury. In fact, he's injured his left knee twice, and while he is back skating, I'm not sure how he avoided serious damage on this last hit from 2-3 weeks ago

Spoiler:

. Zary is an RFA this summer. Again, if he's looking for more playing time, maybe he's someone that wants to move. Calgary has Kadri, Backlund, and Frost as their top 3Cs right now with Zary out.

I'd take any one of the top 3 on this list, with Rossi being the most doubtful to move IMO. But I hope Dubas is taking a look at these guys or similar type players this summer.

[Victor]

Any of these guys would be a nice infusion of youth for the Pens in a position that is very thin in the depth chart.

But just as I mentioned in the McTavish discussion, I don't see any of these players made available, except for the player wanting out (internal rifts, contract disputes etc) or close to hitting UFA. Cap space should not be an issue for the foreseeable future.

I'd go one step further and say these teams would play a young center as winger before making them available. You can't have too many NHL-capable centers in your roster.

One route that I would consider more likely is to acquire someone who isn't NHL ready yet, but already a few years past their draft and "close" to being NHL ready. A McGroarty type - ready to make the jump after a season in the AHL. Calum Ritchie, acquired by the Islanders from Colorado at the deadline, would have been nice to get. Minnesota is more likely to move Danila Yurov before they consider trading Rossi - I don't know how Yurov is developing, just using as a non-NHL ready center vs. NHL center example.

I also see Tij Iginla listed as a LW in Elite Prospects.

[Puck-Lurker]

Personally, I'd rather invest in a legit top 2-3 LHD.

Hoping Novak can fit a role for a weak 2C, propped up by Geno on his wing for a year, see if we can get him going.

[100565]

Shane Pinto - 24 6'3" 204lbs RH. He plays 3C behind Stutlze and Cozens. Plays shorthanded. Limited Power Play time. If given better wingers I think he could be great 2C. Headed into second year of two year deal with cap of $3.75m. RFA when expires with arbitration)

Maybe Sens would like Karlsson back? They could easily keep Pinto next year, but the following year might get too pricey if he is their 3C.

(flapensfan, you showed interest in him last offseason, why not listed here?)

Erik Karlsson (50% retained after paying signing bonus) and Ponomarev
For:
Shane Pinto, Tyler Kleven, Tyler Boucher, 2026 2nd

[FLPensFan]

Shane Pinto - 24 6'3" 204lbs RH. He plays 3C behind Stutlze and Cozens. Plays shorthanded. Limited Power Play time. If given better wingers I think he could be great 2C. Headed into second year of two year deal with cap of $3.75m. RFA when expires with arbitration)

Maybe Sens would like Karlsson back? They could easily keep Pinto next year, but the following year might get too pricey if he is their 3C.

(flapensfan, you showed interest in him last offseason, why not listed here?)

Erik Karlsson (50% retained after paying signing bonus) and Ponomarev
For:
Shane Pinto, Tyler Kleven, Tyler Boucher, 2026 2nd

Yeah, not sure why I overlooked Pinto this time, as I have mentioned him previously. Might be because I didn't see a suitable replacement in house.

[FLPensFan]

Personally, I'd rather invest in a legit top 2-3 LHD.

Hoping Novak can fit a role for a weak 2C, propped up by Geno on his wing for a year, see if we can get him going.

I think this is going to be my next research...top 5 LD that Dubas should look to acquire via trade.

[Victor]

Shane Pinto - 24 6'3" 204lbs RH. He plays 3C behind Stutlze and Cozens. Plays shorthanded. Limited Power Play time. If given better wingers I think he could be great 2C. Headed into second year of two year deal with cap of $3.75m. RFA when expires with arbitration)

Maybe Sens would like Karlsson back? They could easily keep Pinto next year, but the following year might get too pricey if he is their 3C.

(flapensfan, you showed interest in him last offseason, why not listed here?)

Erik Karlsson (50% retained after paying signing bonus) and Ponomarev
For:
Shane Pinto, Tyler Kleven, Tyler Boucher, 2026 2nd

Yeah, not sure why I overlooked Pinto this time, as I have mentioned him previously. Might be because I didn't see a suitable replacement in house.

Pinto is probably stapled as their 3C after they acquired Cozens. He could be replaced by Ridly Creig as 3C if moved.

Kleven is also somewhat blocked in defense as they have Sanderson and Chabot as their top 2 LD. I'm not sure if Kleven has 2nd pairing potential at this point though.