Kyle Dubas Sets his Sights on 3 Trade Targets Ahead of Deadline, per Elliotte Friedman
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman has narrowed it down to three possible players that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas could likely target before the trade deadline.
The Pittsburgh Penguins' needs on the NHL trade market are crystal clear: young players, NHL-ready prospects, and draft picks.
General manager Kyle Dubas and his management team are not shy about wanting to attempt to inject more youth and longer-term potential into the organization.
Earlier this season, Dubas traded for forward Philip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators for future considerations. The 2019 first-rounder was afforded an opportunity to grow and establish himself with regular NHL minutes.
That trade is indicative of what the Penguins are trying to do: acquiring prospects/younger players who haven't quite reached their potential to start the bridge from this generation to the next.
In his latest '32 Thoughts' column, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman slotted the Penguins' trade attachment to the Buffalo Sabres. The Penguins could seek prospects who possess skill but find themselves on the periphery of their current organization.
Sources around the league who are well-placed about the prospect pool of Buffalo bring up three players who could get along with Pittsburgh.
Isak Rosen, Ryan Johnson, and Noah Ostund are all possible targets
1. Isak Rosen, LW
Selected 14th overall in 2021, Rosen has muscled up and is still in the early stages of development in the AHL. He's been leap-frogged on Buffalo's depth chart by others, but his skill package remains interesting.
2. Ryan Johnson, LD
A 23-year-old D-man picked 31st in 2019, Johnson is a good, two-way D who can skate, move the puck, and play big minutes.
3. Noah Ostlund, C
Drafted 16th in 2022, Ostlund is a defense-first center. Not much of an offensive prospect, his defensive dedication and potential continue to make him interesting.
All of these players align with the Penguins' vision of how they want to build a younger, more sustainable team.
