3 Penguins Named As Potential Trade Candidates
So just what are the Pittsburgh Penguins up to this offseason? Certainly nothing earth-shattering to this point. After missing the playoffs for two consecutive years, the veteran core is in need of an injection of young blood for the future. With that, Nick Belsky of si.com suggests that at least a "partial" rebuild will be taking place over the next 12 months, and he names three Penguins that could find themselves on the trade block as the Pens go through this process. Marcus PetterssonThis is the one trade piece that would bring back the biggest return. The rock-solid defender is going into the final year of his deal, and is coming off his best season, with a plus/minus of +28 along with 30 points in 82 games. He also blocked 159 shots and handed out 121 hits. Trading him would leave a huge void on the Pittsburgh blueline, so it would have to be a huge haul for GM Kyle Dubas to part with the 28-year-old.Richard RakellInjuries and underperformance plagued the former first-rounder this past season, and after a rousing first year in Pittsburgh in 2022-23 with 28 goals and 60 points, he finished this past season with just 15 goals and 37 points. His time on ice also dipped by two minutes per game to 16:30. But with four years remaining at a $5 million cap hit, plus the down year, Dubas would be selling low. It could take a good start to the 2024-25 season to revitalize any trade market for the 31-year-old. Bryan RustA longtime Penguin and back-to-back Cup champ, Rust had yet another solid season, posting north of 20 goals for the fifth straight year. He does have a no-movement clause that runs through this coming season, so any trade of the 32-year-old is unlikely to happen until a year from now.Photo: © Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports...
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