Penguins
Penguins Trade Talk; New Potential Target, More Center Options
Centers and defensemen. If Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas were to make a shopping list and head to the local player distribution center, those would be the primary trade targets on his list.
The Penguins need centers and defensemen for all levels of the organization. If there was a weakness on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, it was that natural wingers filled the middle, somewhat limiting the team’s offense when games tightened later in the season.
Fortunately for the Penguins, another young player is falling out of favor with his team that Dubas could (should?) swoop in to claim.
Reports out of Minnesota, including by The Athletic’s Michael Russo, say that Minnesota GM Bill Guerin is likely to trade Marco Rossi.
A Rossi trade fits the Penguins very well.
The Penguins already have a foundation for a competitive top-six attack in place with Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Ville Koivunen, and Rutger McGroarty.
However, Malkin is likely to retire after next season, meaning the Penguins will have a Russia-sized hole in the middle of their lineup.
Dubas has all but shut down the idea of signing free agents to long-term deals, and acquiring more salary dumps would seem to hinder the progress of some young players on their way up. So, trades for younger players who can help in the immediate and stick around for more than a handful of years is the goal.
Read More: 5 Penguins RFA Targets & Projected Contracts
In his year-end press conference, Dubas admitted that trades for restricted free agents, rather than trying to offer-sheet them away, was the more likely path forward.
Bear in mind, signing RFAs for more than $5 million would cost the Penguins at least a first and third-round pick, so that’s absolutely out of the question as the team faces a season that could put them near the bottom of the league, which also means near the top of the 2026 NHL Draft lottery with a double-digit chance to select phenom Gavin McKenna.
(The NHL has not yet released the 2025 compensation levels, but around $5 million will be the line between giving up a second-rounder and parting with a first and third.)
For example, for every fan who has responded that Bo Byram is a great offer sheet target, AFP Analytics estimates his next contract to carry a $7.7 million cap hit. Any GM who would trade a high first-round pick and a third-rounder for Byram should immediately be shown the door and fired for cause.
But a trade for a player like Rossi? That makes much more sense in the swirling world of uncertainty that has become the Penguins’ offseason.
Preliminary Penguins RFA Trade Targets, Forwards
Marco Rossi
The Minnesota Wild have seemed unsure about Rossi’s long-term future with the team for a couple of seasons. Guerin took him off the NHL trade block this season, but it seems Guerin is now moving toward a trade.
Rossi is just 23 years old, and this season, he had 60 points in 82 games. Yet, he was shuffled down the lineup late in the season and was the team’s fourth-line center in their Round One loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Rossi was the Wild’s 2020 first-round pick, selected ninth overall. The drawback is that he is only 5-foot-9, 173 pounds.
“He did everything they asked him to do (last) offseason to become the player they wanted him to become,” Russo told the SOTA podcast.
“If the Wild organization is thinking that he’s not someone who they’re eventually going to pay seven, eight, or $9 million, now is probably the good time to move him for somebody they think is bigger, faster, more dynamic.”
Minnesota has been close to taking the next step, but it has limited options to remake its roster. Rossi is the likely trade bait, and despite his size, he seems to fit the Penguins’ style, at least as it was under former coach Mike Sullivan.
He’s got a high hockey IQ, on which Dubas seems to place importance, a good first step, and he knows how to play down low–the Penguins’ style of offense.
In terms of the trade cost, the Penguins don’t have a better player to deal away than Rossi, and certainly not one that’s bigger, faster, or more dynamic. However, if any team has that–they’re not giving it up, either.
Rossi is a quite plausible Penguins trade target, but it would cost the Penguins a healthy return, perhaps the Rangers’ first-round pick with a 2026 lottery protection, or one of their top-line veteran wingers.
Of course, Minnesota wants to get faster and more dynamic. Perhaps Dubas could interest them in a defenseman?
Buffalo Options
Once again, the Buffalo Sabres are the team that has the candy Dubas craves. RFA Defensemen. Check. RFA centers, both established options and prospects on the way up? Check.
A GM who seemingly buckles after passing up offers. Check that box, too.
Buffalo has young players ready to ascend, and young players on the roster. Pending the players’ contract asks and the internal scouting, one or two could be on their way out.
- Center Ryan McLeod, 25, is due a nice raise from his $2.1 million salary. The tall, skinny center (6-foot-3, 188 pounds) had something of a breakout season for Buffalo, posting 53 points (20-33-53) in 82 games after just 30 with Edmonton the season before. Is he Edmonton’s fading prospect or Buffalo’s diamond in the rough?
- J.J. Peterka, 23, also padded his offensive totals, though with some irresponsible play. He posted 68 points, 18 more than last season, but also had 60 more turnovers (87) than the year before. That’s an astounding increase.
Center Jiri Kulich is only 21 and made his NHL debut this season. Late in the year, he played high in the lineup, centering Buffalo’s top line. Kulich posted 24 points (15-9-24) in 62 games.
Konsta Helenius could debut at some point next season. With Tage Thompson leading the roster, this is a prime opportunity for Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams to deal a surplus for badly needed pieces elsewhere in the lineup. The question is, who?
Mavrik Bourque
He’s made every one of our lists so far, and will continue to be on our lists. The forward plays the game the right way, but hasn’t found his niche with the Dallas Stars. There’s little question he’s an NHL player, either in the middle or the right wing, but perhaps the Penguins can help Dallas repeat or get closer to the Cup (pending how this playoff run ends).
Bourque has been scratched in the playoffs, further casting doubt on his role with the team. This season was his first full NHL campaign, and he had only 25 points (11-14-25) in 73 games, but nine of Bourque’s goals came after Jan. 9.
Coach Pete DeBoer shuffled him around the lineup, but maybe the former AHL star needs a different situation.
Dallas has only $5.33 million for next season, with pending UFAs Jamie Benn, Mikael Granlund, and Matt Duchene to re-sign. Bourque could be the perfect low-cost acquisition with high upside. If Dallas doesn’t trade him, they might lose him for a second, or only a third-round pick, as another team with available opportunities submits an offer sheet.
It would seem the Penguins have plenty of draft picks to get this one done.
Dan, do you think Tampa would be interested in an EK for Howard swap with other pieces?
Last year, maybe. Not this year. For many reasons.
OK, thanks!
Everybody can earn 220$/h + daily 1K… You can earn from 6000-12000 a month or even more if you work as a part time Work…It’s easy, just follow instructions on this page, read it carefully from start to finish… It’s a flexible job but a good eaning opportunity..go to this site home tab for more detail thank you…….
.
Reading This Article:———- https://tinyurl.com/4e9eczre
Dan, most of the time your articles are spot on. But this one was not close. “If there was a weakness on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, it was that natural wingers filled the middle, somewhat limiting the team’s offense when games tightened later in the season”. – soft play, especially by the defense was cited as a big reason Lehigh phantoms knocked the Penguins out in the first round. secondly, Rossi would be a great addition however, he is extremely small. Which the penguins have an exuberant amount of small, soft forwards. Do you really think the small play will be… Read more »
He scored 15 goals with no wingers. Geno can no longer make milkshakes on his own. He needs someone, anyone, who can drag the little used blender out while he gets the milk and ice cream.
If and when he wants to. Curious to see if he comes into camp in shape.
Well, I was there, and yes, they Filip Kral was torched in the playoff series, as we reported. That doesn’t make untrue what I wrote.
Dan, I was there also. And at the game several weeks earlier. Center has been issue for awhile, but the team as well as the org lacks size and physicality and size.
More small, soft figure skaters that playoff caliber teams have no need for. “Yeah, that’s the ticket!” or is it “Bring us your small, your soft, your under-performers.”
He’s small. Why do you assume soft goes with that?
Ok, ya got me. At 5’9″ 182lbs, I agree he’ll be strong on the puck and stand up to the physical rigors when going up against large D with reach and weight advantages and opposing C who play with an edge.
A buddy of mine in MN says he’s soft by Guerin standards, which explains why he doesn’t fit. Take it FWIW.
Sam, Amen! But what’s Guerin know?
We already have a Russia sized hole at 2C. Malkin cant be there next year if Pens hope to win.
Of course if you are going for lottery position, leave him there.
It’s not 2018 Malkin, but the Pens are a lesser team with him out of the lineup. He certainly has flashes of brilliance, but they do need to trade/sign for a future 2C. If that is accomplished, I advocate for a top line of Malkin-Crosby-McGroarty. I think Lizotte/Ponomarev as either 3C/4C, maybe even see Broz take one of the bottom six center roles as the season progresses.
Take away both of Sid’s 30 goal scoring wingers? Hmmmmmmmm
He doesn’t reach point per game with Malkin.
However, I’d still rather see him on Sid’s wing with Rusty than at 2C.
Get a real 2C and two or three BIG D men that actually play D and they have a chance.
Geno has one year left on his contract which he will fulfill.
Furthermore….Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs. Playoffs? Are you kidding me?
I don’t understand the unwillingness to sign an impact player in FA by Dubas. If Pens signed Marner (I know, not likely) for seven years, that salary would fall off before anyone in the system or drafted the next few years would require a big pay raise. Not to mention there will be about $30M falling off the books over the next two seasons – assuming certain players are not resigned. Let’s get some decent talent on the team for Sid to finish his career with and to help this team while the kids develop. Stop signing 3rd and 4th… Read more »
Your delusional
And you can’t spell, so what’s the difference?
I agree. Players of Marner’s caliber and age don’t hit free agency often. He’s good enough to be the guy you build around after Crosby, and young enough to still be able to be that guy when Sid retires. As we saw this year (and 2003 and 04) tanking is no guarantee of getting the #1 pick, so if we’re going to pass up a star in the hopes of getting McKenna, we could easily end up with neither. Marner is affordable under our cap space and with a bunch of young complementary pieces and role players coming up from… Read more »
Hopefully they can snag a legit center in the draft, maybe trade up if there’s a particular player they favor this Summer. But after a 2C decision, they really need to address the blue line and they have some in house options for the right side, but let’s not forget that sans Letang and Shea this blue line was constructed by Dubas. Total left side revamp.
Don’t see Rossi as a fit. This should be a very interesting summer. Forget offer sheets that include the 1st pick in 2026. There is no way Dubas will give that up. He could use the 2026 – 2nd, but you’re not getting Byram, J.J. Peterka, or MacTavish for a 2026 – 2nd, although McLeod is a possibility. A no-comp offer sheet could be used on Struble. The Pens will need to trade Rakell and Rust to have a hot at Byram and MacTavish. There hasn’t been much discussion on UFAs. I see 2 possible but unlikely. Marner in the… Read more »
You were spot on (and in total agreement with us) until the UFA part. I thought Dubas might make a play for a cornerstone UFA but he said no. I generally take him at his word when he clearly says what he wants to do. It’s when he shuffles or tosses a word salad that you can start to parse.
Dan, I appreciate your comment on what Dubas said about UFAs. The Steelers also said that Pickens was part of the Steelers plan for 2025, until he wasn’t.
It makes no sense to rule out a potential avenue of improving the team when you have the cap space and financial commitment from ownership to do it. If Marner were to call and say “hey Kyle, I always liked dealing with you in Toronto and I loved playing with Sid at the 4 Nations. Let’s make a deal” any GM would be insane to say “no thanks, I prefer to roll the dice with draft picks and guys who aren’t in other teams’ plans.” What Dubas said would make sense as a way to say “don’t have high expectations… Read more »
Joker is a 5-6 defenseman. easy pass
The Ducks will re-sign MacTavish to a multi-year deal prior to July 1st.
pass across the board, no thanks. None of these guys project to be a key piece for a team looking to be more than a playoff team by 2027. none of them play “playoff” style hockey.
Bingo on the playoff style hockey. It’s a totally different level of physicality that almost becomes a war based on attrition. Seen enough of the Novak, Thomasino, Glass types to know they would never stand up to the rigors of a SC run. Dewar yes, good as a 4th line energy guy. Gimme more Dewar, only for the 3rd line, and a C.
The Sabres appear to be retaining the same leadership group, and it looks like they’ll have to choose between McLeod and Peterka. From Buffalo’s perspective, I think keeping McLeod makes more sense—he’s the stronger 5-on-5 player and likely comes at a lower cost. Peterka, on the other hand, has more trade value given his upside as a rising top-six forward. If they were to move Peterka, I think the return could be something like Rackell in a package. Personally, I’d make that deal. The real question is: would Buffalo? From a defensive perspective, I thought Miller would be a target,… Read more »
Why is nobody mentioning Jack Quinn, I think he would be an excellent pickup for Pens.
We need to watch the playoffs. It is not a small man’s game, so why pursue small men?
you think Colorado has some regrets about MR?
Rossi is 5-foot-9, 180-something pounds. Think I’ll pass. This team needs more grown men, not midgets.
Why in the world would the Pens waste time & money on yet another undersized player especially a center because he skates fast?
Sullivan’s 1980s Soviet style of slingshot hockey is so yesterday.
It’s big boy hockey, requiring size, speed and toughness. Look at the teams left in the playoffs. There are no Sullivan type teams and there won’t be in the future.
I personally can’t wait to see what happens with Rempke on the Rangers this year.
He is a RFA, I think Pens should pursue him, no comp under 1.5 million or trade late draft pick for his rights.
Rempe that is!
I’m not concerned about Peterka’s turnover numbers. Karlsson and Graves will be able to smother any odd man breaks that might result.
🎯 🎯🎯 you made my morning with this one !!!