Pittsburgh Penguins make surprise trade after embarrassing loss to the Dallas Stars

There have been reports of the Pittsburgh Penguins potentially becoming big time sellers this season, and after being dominated 7-1 by the Dallas Stars on Monday night, that speculation only intensified. Now, in a surprise move, the team have already begun selling, as they have now completed a trade with the Metropolitan Division rival Washington Capitals.

As announced by the Penguins themselves, they've moved Lars Ellers to Washington in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round draft pick as well as a 2027 third-round draft pick. The 35-year old Eller was off to a solid start this year, playing in all 17 games thus far and posting 4 goals and 7 points, and now he will become a key part of the Capitals bottom-six, likely to slot in as the center on one of their bottom two lines.

We've already heard that everyone but Sidney Crosby is available for trade, and now Kyle Dubas has put his money where his mouth is, making a big time move. With the likes of Marcus Pettersson, Michael Bunting, Bryan Rust and many others expected to draw trade interest, this is just the beginning however, as the team may be looking to retool in a hurry for Crosby's final two years in Pittsburgh.

With Eller now gone, it opens up a spot for Samuel Poulin on the fourth line with Blake Lizotte likely to move to the third line, and if the team's poor play continues, expect this to be one of many moves Kyle Dubas makes in the coming weeks and months.