Pittsburgh Penguins Top Trade Asset Holds Surprisingly Low Value, per Insider
One of the players on the Pittsburgh Penguins who has been rumored to be traded before the deadline has surprisingly low value, per an NHL insider.
Time is ticking. We're now roughly five weeks away from the NHL's March 7 trade deadline, and teams are weighing their options. There is one player on the Pittsburgh Penguins who has remained on trade boards all season.
Defenseman Marcus Pettersson
The 28-year-old left-handed Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson has played in 46 games to this point this season, posting two goals and 15 assists for 17 points.
Pettersson currently has an expiring deal worth a $4,025,175 AAV cap hit and will hit the market as an unrestricted free agent this summer.
If Pittsburgh's season is truly beyond saving, and all signs point in that direction, Pettersson becomes the team's most valuable trade asset. While his puck-moving ability has some limitations, his cap hit is manageable.
General Manager Kyle Dubas could even utilize the Penguins' final retained salary transaction slot to enhance the potential return.
Despite that, insider Frank Seravalli has suggested that Pittsburgh may not receive a significant haul in exchange for Pettersson.
While he might be at the top of trade lists for many rosters, if his trade value is considered low, the Penguins may consider keeping him in Pittsburgh.
That being said, as a reliable defenseman with playoff experience, he also is desirable for contenders in search of depth on the back end.
The next few weeks will reveal whether Pittsburgh trades on his potential or holds on to him as an expiring contract approaching free agency.
