Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Talks Intensify Following Blockbuster Avalanche Deal
The Colorado Avalanche arguably completed the biggest trade of the season thus far, and the Penguins may be taking a page from them as trade talks heat up.
The Colorado Avalanche shocked the hockey universe Friday, trading superstar Mikko Rantanen, a pending UFA, to the Carolina Hurricanes in one of the biggest blockbuster deals of the cap era.
As trading heats up, an eye will be kept on the Pittsburgh Penguins. First, let's debunk the constant rumors: Sidney Crosby isn't going anywhere.
The Penguins captain, GM Kyle Dubas, and local reporting have consistently shot down such rumblings.
Despite that, rumor-mongers persist, with certain personalities in the hockey universe speculating Crosby is a suitor for the Avalanche. His constant denying tells a different story.
Marcus Pettersson is a top trade target
On the trade front, Marcus Pettersson can become a top blue-line target. The 28-year-old pending UFA provides rock-solid, top-four blue-line play and timely offensive output. Despite a dip in performance, his $4.025 million price tag puts him in demand.
Teams interested include the Canucks, Jets, Wild, and Panthers. The Penguins are also generating interest for forwards Anthony Beauvillier and Drew O'Connor, both pending UFAs.
Beauvillier, 27, has 11 goals and excels in a top-six role, and O'Connor, 26, possesses size, speed, and forechecking skills. Teams in search of budget-friendly depth, such as the Blue Jackets and Senators, will bite.
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk is also generating buzz. With 25 points and a key role in Pittsbugh's much-improved PK, his $2.75 million price tag puts him in demand for teams in search of power-play rentals, such as Florida.
While Dubas has shot down a full-fledged firesale, the playoff aspirations of the Penguins mean big chips such as Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell won't move unless a dream offer comes in. That could be revisited in the offseason.
