Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Deadline Analysis: Key Moves and Team Needs

As the 4 Nations Face-Off nears its conclusion, the NHL trade deadline looms just under three weeks away. This pivotal moment in the season creates an imperative for teams to strategically navigate their rosters. Among these teams is the Pittsburgh Penguins, who find themselves at a critical juncture in their playoff pursuit.

This season, despite initial expectations, the Penguins haven’t quite hit their stride. General Manager Kyle Dubas made significant roster tweaks, aiming for a deep playoff push. However, with a current standing of 23-25-9, 7th in the Metropolitan Division, it’s clear that their future in the playoffs hinges on their upcoming moves.

Record

The Penguins sit at 23-25-9, placing them 7th in the Metropolitan Division.

Deadline Status

For the Penguins, the future seems to lie in shedding assets rather than accumulating them. They are positioned as sellers at the deadline.

Deadline Cap Space

With $9.88MM of cap space available on deadline day and two of three retention slots already used, the Penguins face constraints in acquiring new players. They also have 49 out of 50 contracts already committed, as per PuckPedia.

Upcoming Draft Picks

The Penguins’ future prospects are robust, with multiple picks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts:

2025: NYR 1st*, PIT 1st, MIN 3rd, OTT 3rd, PIT 3rd, PIT 4th, CHI 5th, NYR 5th, PIT 5th, PIT 6th, PIT 7th
2026: PIT 1st, PIT 2nd, STL 2nd, PIT 3rd, SJ 3rd, PIT 4th, NSH 6th, CHI 7th, PIT 7th

*-Top-13 protected; if it doesn’t convey this year, it becomes New York’s unprotected 2026 first-round selection.

Trade Chips

Following Marcus Pettersson’s departure to Vancouver, Matt Grzelcyk emerges as a key player. Despite a slow start, Grzelcyk has shown improvement lately, racking up 28 points in 57 games. While he may be best suited for a third pairing on a contender, his affordable $2.75MM AAV provides flexibility for the Penguins, particularly if they aim to move another defenseman.

Anthony Beauvillier, despite limited ice time, has contributed a dozen goals in 56 games at a modest $1.25MM salary. This makes him an attractive option for teams seeking low-cost scoring depth. Matthew Nieto, a solid checking winger, struggles with health but at just $900K, his contract could be a worthwhile gamble for a late-round draft pick.

While it’s unlikely that Pittsburgh would part with Tristan Jarry or Ryan Graves due to their contracts, and they’ll likely maintain their core group, Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust remain intriguing possibilities. Rakell’s current form suggests he could surpass 30 goals this season, and at $5MM annually for the next three years, he represents substantial trade value. Similarly, Rust’s contributions make him an attractive target despite his cost.

Two bottom-six forwards, Noel Acciari and Blake Lizotte, could provide additional trade opportunities. Acciari brings playoff experience at a $2MM annual rate, potentially offering affordable depth. Lizotte, with his offensive capabilities and bi-directional play, is in the same price range, promising some flexibility for the Penguins’ roster.

Team Needs

The Penguins have two primary objectives heading into the deadline:

Young Pros: Dubas will likely prioritize young players nearing NHL readiness. Last year, the Penguins focused on quick returns, adding Vasiliy Ponomarev and Ville Koivunen through the Jake Guentzel trade. A similar approach this year suggests they’ll target players who can complement their veteran roster.

Contract Flexibility: With only one open contract slot, adding more minor-pro players or exploring the college free agent market could be challenging. Freeing up additional slots could offer leverage in trade discussions and facilitate draft planning, making it a beneficial but non-essential goal.

Given the Penguins’ current position, strategic moves in these areas could be crucial for their long-term prospects.

Photo courtesy of Imagn Images.