Penguins Q&A: Trades, Trade Values, & the Core’s Future
The swirl of off-season activity has largely missed the Pittsburgh Penguins as outstanding issues remain unresolved, and the questions about trades and trade values have come to dominate the public thinking.
Which is just fine for PHN’s Penguins Q&A.
First, we’re going on a short detour because I have seen too many “rumors.” You will notice a great disparity in reporting between the established local and national reporters and the burgeoning crop of internet analysts who have not yet proven themselves or have been wrong on very big stories. It might seem quite harsh to point out the chasm, but it is essential as the trade winds blow through the Penguins organization.
I went through that period of my career when sources loved to chirp things, and a few times, I was left hanging out to dry because I wasn’t savvy enough to know a source’s opinion being passed as fact, or people who wanted to plant a story. In the current environment, GMs are holding their cards even tighter, which means fewer credible sources, despite the proliferation of “insiders.”
One of the small sites was busted again this morning by an agent who would have benefited from any Evgeny Kuznetsov story being true, but nevertheless, the agent called it out as false.
I hope you’re picking up what I’m laying down. Just remember, bad gas travels fast. One ill-gotten trade rumor can lap the internet before reality leaves the starting line.
I can’t offer second and third-hand stuff like I see the rumor mavens and small site writers doing. Sure, I’ve heard Erik Karlsson chatter, but it has bounced off the walls a few times before it gets to me. If I report it, you would take it seriously (as you should) even if I warned–this is from a friend who heard it from an agent who heard it at dinner with a client who heard it from a GM.
You’d still take it seriously and hold me accountable (as you should). So, just remember to use a filter and pay close attention to the language. Very, very close attention.
Also, to catch you up on the inside joke from the Live Chats that I’m using more and more on X, a “Honey Mustard question” is one that has no relevance to the conversation or an ask for inside information that I have not reported.
It comes from comic Kathleen Madigan’s early days. She did a routine about being a waitress and reciting the list of salad dressings for customers, “We have French, Ranch, Italian, and Thousand Island,” and they would reply, “Well, do you have Honey Mustard?”
Well, did ya hear me say Honey Mustard?
So, when someone tweets, “Are you hearing anything on Erik Karlsson?” The blunt answer is–well, did you see me write anything on Erik Karlsson? So, instead of being brusque, that’s a “Honey Mustard question.” Now, you’re in on the joke!
Penguins Q&A
Turcotte and a 1st for Rakell?
— Mcqueen (@mcqueenkachow12) July 11, 2025
McQueen has made a potential offer from the LA Kings here.
No, that’s not enough, but you’re getting warm. Many of the nearly three dozen submissions were about Penguins trades and trade values. Obviously, Rickard Rakell is the primary name being floated in the NHL trade rumors, but general manager Kyle Dubas has held firm on his valuations.
I believe something like that was offered or discussed at the trade deadline, but it’s simply not enough for a 70-point player with a complete game who notched 35 goals.
The first-round pick is a start, but Turcotte is a low-scoring 24-year-old who has played primarily on the bottom lines. Dubas is correct to hold out for a more promising prospect rather than a seat filler.
The cost for Rakell should be a promising young player or a good prospect, and a good pick.
Dubas will get it. Eventually.
If Nick Robertsons last name was Smith would anyone give a sh*t about trading for him ?
— Ed S (@EdGrr113) July 11, 2025
Speaking of promising young players, Nick Robertson has languished in Toronto and not taken advantage of his chances. He had 15 goals but only 22 points in 69 games despite being given an opportunity to earn increased ice time. I’m not sure what his last name has to do with anything–because his brother Jason is a star? No, why Nick has been on everyone’s radar for several years is because he had a standout camp before the 2020 COVID bubble playoffs. He was EXCELLENT, which set expectations quite high.
The bloom is off Robertson’s rose because he failed to break through this season, but he remains a great opportunity for a reclemation project. However, it doesn’t appear as if the Toronto Maple Leafs want to let the RFA go despite his requests to go elsewhere.
Are the pens actively looking for a goalie?
— Price (@priceclub01) July 11, 2025
Such as…who? I believe the Penguins would do well to bring in a veteran goalie on a PTO so they have insurance against Joel Blomqvist not being up to the NHL task. Sergei Murashov probably isn’t ready yet, and I haven’t seen NHL goalie chops from Filip Larsson (We’ve written about that a few times during our Wilkes-Barre scouting trips).
Who are the primary goalies next year? Jarry get moved?
— NuttingHostage (@nutting_hostage) July 11, 2025
Murashov is the key to everything. He might be able to push for a starter’s role by later next season, but the team cannot rush it. Don’t expect a Jarry trade, though it could happen under the conditions that he is playing well and Murashov or Blomqvist are ready.
How valuable of an asset does EK bring back. How much salary could the Pens retain?
— Brian Hammer (@BrianDaHammer) July 11, 2025
It depends on how much salary Dubas will swallow. I’d caution Penguins fans not to expect much in return. Karlsson has a world of talent, but no team has been able to successfully harness it for a more successful situation in nearly a decade. That’s a lot of talent and a lot of questions about fitting into a team concept.
If Dubas gets more than a second-rounder and a B-level prospect, call it a big win.
Do you envision any scenario where Rust plays out his contract with the Pens? I don’t think he’s a guy you want to lose in a rebuild
— Jim Madden (@jmadden34) July 11, 2025
Absolutely.
Recall earlier in the week when one of my tweets went semi-viral, as many people understood, but the hardheaded amongst us had to argue and make a fuss.
The video I retweeted was of 2025 first-round pick Will Horcoff gushing over getting a call from Sidney Crosby. Here’s how it affects Bryan Rust staying: players idolize Crosby. The young players put him on a pedestal, even as they publicly admit they can’t. The Penguins need someone else to keep the prospects’ feet on the ground and to pass along NHL wisdom and the pride of being a Penguin.
Unless a team pays up for Rust, Dubas would do well to keep him. Many rebuilding teams have gone it alone without the guardrails in the locker room. Those safeguards and leaders actually speed things up.
Is it reasonable to think that Sid will have another legit playoff run before the end of his career in Pittsburgh?
— Jason!!!!! (@JasonSchweikar1) July 11, 2025
You can hope. I don’t like the odds unless he plays four or five more years, but you can hope. This season is probably the last for the core three, as there’s a solid chance that Evgeni Malkin retires. Once one leg of the core three goes, will any others? The Penguins are in desperate need of renewal, and if Crosby sticks it out (though I agree with Marc-Andre Fleury and Max Talbot that he should not go through a rebuild), perhaps a few of the draft picks land, and the team could be back in the playoffs in three years?
Read More: Sources: Malkin’s Penguins Future Beyond Next Season Remains … Undecided
What’s the most likely scenario for Hayes and Accariri? Will teams take them without a sweetener?
— Kevin (@kbeamerm3) July 11, 2025
I don’t see how they fit with this team. Hayes is not especially good defensively, and at this point in his career, his offense has evaporated. Former coach Mike Sullivan stashed him in the press box for quite a while last season. At this point, a player in his 30s who is press box worthy shouldn’t be on the roster.
Acciari is another matter. I find the negativity towards him to be quite odd. He’s the one forward who plays a physical, gritty game. The Penguins’ team defense has been almost laughable for a couple of seasons, and the fourth liners have been given nearly impossible tasks, starting a vast majority of their shifts in the defensive zone.
Acciari does all of those little things that add up to winning. However, the bumps and bruises of his reckless abandon are catching up with him. He will turn 34 on Dec. 1, and I’m not sure how much longer he’s an NHL player. Surely, some team could use a little bit of scrap iron, but he is somewhat in the way as the Penguins look to find diamonds in the rough or open up spots for young players.
Thoughts of where Filip HÃ¥llander will fit into the lineup?
— Johan Carlsson (@1985Killer) July 11, 2025
Well, to make a real assessment, I have to see him. In person. Against NHL-level competition. Video can make a lot of players look really good, and so can stat sheets.
Hallander had decided he wanted to come back to North America well before the season ended. It was a poorly kept secret, but that also means he was eying a return before the Penguins could have made any promises. So–DO NOT assume the Penguins promised him an NHL roster spot to return.
I wish I knew more, but he could be a solid LW addition to the third line, which currently looks to be a black hole with Tommy Novak in the middle and some combination of Danton Heinen, Kevin Hayes, Justin Brazeau, and Philip Tomasino.
Will Dan ever take a REAL vacation 😀
— Lisa (@bppenfan) July 11, 2025
Probably not! That would require leaving this to others, and it would require having people in my life who could go an entire week with me, and not want to kill me. It does sound tempting, though.
Categorized:NHL Trade Rumors Penguins
At forward, this team is not as bereft of talent as people make it seem.
1st: McGroarty-Crosby-Rust
2nd: Koivunen-Malkin-Rakell
3rd: Hallander-Novak-Mantha
4th: Who knows…many options
Now the defense and goaltending are a whole nother story!
Will be curious to see how the rest of the Summer shakes out.
Liz in the 4th line for sure and maybe Hen if still on the team and Dewar.
Here is where the animosity for Acciari comes from: Fans value goals and offensive creativity more than “all the little things that don’t show up on the scoresheet that help a team win,” and it seems like coaches are the opposite. Obviously coaches know way more about the game, and as a fan I accept that intellectually. But emotionally, when we see things like Evan Rodrigues get banished because of one ill-timed penalty, while guys like Acciari have permanent spots in the line-up even though they are totally invisible every night, it’s maddening to us. Not Acciari’s fault in any… Read more »
I don’t understand all the acciari hate either. Physical, good forechecker, blocks shots. Exactly the type of player that playoff teams look for. The return will be minimal but I think he gets moved at the deadline without having to add anything
I think it’s because he brings nothing in offense, making $2m in cap space that could have went elsewhere and Poulin or anyone else of our borderline AHL players could play that role
Wouldn’t it be great if 33 year old Acciari could somehow Venmo his physicality, forechecking, shot blocking, and grit to 24 year old Sam Poulin?
Yeah I had asked the question on Hayes and Acciari. Dont hate Accari, he just seems to make more sense on a playoff team that is missing that type of player. I had expected him to be traded at last deadline and since he wasn’t I was wondering why. Maybe the term he still had at that point. Maybe Pens keep him until the deadline this year. But seems like he would be blocking some younger players
Rumor has it Leafs want EK but would have to move salary or make a dollar for dollar swap to get him. Think they would bite on this? It would save them a half-mill in cap space as well.
TOR gets EK (10M, 2.76M retained) & 3rd
PIT gets Domi (3.75M), Carlo (3.49M) & 2nd
Leafs’ D corps has several higher priced players, so they’d have to move one to give EK a spot. Plus, they got Maccelli to essentially replace Domi.
Then if they accept, make things really interesting and throw an offer sheet at Robertson.
The leafs just traded for Carlo, so i think they would prefer someone else as the salary dump part of the trade. If i were the penguins GM, i would ask for Robertson as well as retain a little more salary.
Or perhaps they’ll trade Roy who they just got as the throw-in for Marner
I would take Roy if the leafs didn’t want him. He’s a solid 3c.
Oh, I hope TOR would want EK. That’ll fix their problems! LOL!
Perfect match, actually. Neither is a threat to win a Cup
I agree. Toronto needs to be more gritty and score that way. Karlsson 100% would not fit in Toronto. The place that seems most like a good fit for Karlsson is Vegas as another shiny new toy to “replace” Pietrangelo. Although, I am not sure who they would send back to the penguins in order to clear enough salary. Another good fit would be Ottawa. The guy is a rockstar there and he may be the extra offense they need to get to the next level. Yzerman needs to make a splash and Karlsson would be taking a lesser role… Read more »
From VGK, I’d retain 1.35M and ask for W.Karlsson (5.9M) and Whitecloud (2.75M).
For DET, I’d retain 1.5M and ask for Compher (5.1M) and Holl (3.4M).
For OTT, I’d retain 2.2M and ask for Pinto (3.75M) and Jensen (4.05M).
I have noticed that you are only asking for more veteran pieces in your proposed trades. Is there a reason for that? None of the guys are super old or anything, but I really think Dubas is making a conscious effort to get younger. What is the term for the players coming back to PITT? As long as the years are short, I would be okay with any of those trades. The only thing I do not like is that you are bringing in more RHD, thus blocking Brunicke. I really want that guy on the team and there’s already… Read more »
No particular reason just looking at the cap hits of the players. The teams discussed would need to clear a spot on D to add EK. It can be LD, doesn’t have to be RD.
I LOVE when I get minuses. Give me more FUEL!!! NOM NOM NOM
Penguins will definitely ask for Easton Cowan but I’m sure we won’t get him. I’d throw in poulin in the Karlsson trade as a small sweetener.
No one wants Poulin. He was available as a waiver last year and no one took him.
I don’t think we are getting much back for EK. We won’t have to add an asset or draft pick, but we aren’t getting much back.
Danford has been mentioned.
I think a lot of it depends also what kind of coach muse and his assistants are. I’m just hoping he’s not Sullivan he’s gotta insert more youth than vets in the lineup but he also knows he has a lot of dead weight on the roster he will have no choice but to play. It’s just hard to judge right we aren’t even truly sure how much power Dubas has given muse so early in his career.
So, Karlsson is no longer a Penguin, we just don’t know where or how he goes. It would surely be a mistake not to wait for the deadline. The comments are full of rosy predictions of little to no retention and assets in return, but the truth is that Pens would have to bite the bullet big time if they trade him now. But, if we’re not doing anything, might as well pay a player to play on another team. I mean, it would be just plain stupid to pay him to play on your team.
Vacations are over rated, and under paid.
Not if you know how to live!