Three signings that make total sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins

In today's NHL landscape, the art of offer sheeting has nearly vanished. When an offer sheet does emerge, it is almost invariably matched by the player's original team. In the cap era, only two instances stand out: Dustin Penner in 2007 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2021, where the qualifying club chose not to match the offer.

Given the rarity and near-impossibility of successful offer sheets, it's highly unlikely the Pittsburgh Penguins will extend one. Nevertheless, considering the potential benefits, it's worth exploring which restricted free agents (RFAs) could be on their radar if they were to make a surprising move.

Nicholas Robertson, the younger sibling of Dallas Stars star Jason Robertson, has been a notable name this offseason. Struggling to secure a consistent role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Robertson requested a trade at the end of the 2023-24 season. Despite registering 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games, he's shown potential to thrive as a middle-six, or even top-six, winger for a team ready to offer him a new opportunity.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who drafted Robertson in Toronto, could see this as an ideal chance to address their top-six needs. However, the Leafs retain considerable leverage as Robertson lacks arbitration rights, giving Toronto the upper hand in negotiations.

Arthur Kaliyev, a right winger with the Los Angeles Kings, is another intriguing possibility. After a promising start to his NHL career, Kaliyev had a disappointing 2023-24 season, managing just seven goals and 15 points in 51 games. Known for his powerful shot, a change of scenery might be beneficial for both Kaliyev and the Kings.

For the Penguins, Kaliyev presents a low-risk, potentially high-reward opportunity. With their need for scoring depth and youth, Kaliyev could fit well into their plans without significant financial risk.

Cole Perfetti, the 10th overall pick in the 2020 draft, is a more speculative target. Despite a season of ups and downs, including 19 goals and 38 points, Perfetti faced inconsistencies that led to healthy scratches towards the end of the year. It's expected he will sign a bridge deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

The Penguins would need to maneuver their $3.52 million in remaining cap space and potentially make a trade to accommodate Perfetti's salary. However, with his first-round pedigree and significant upside, pursuing Perfetti could be worth the effort if the Jets are open to offers.

While the likelihood of the Penguins making an offer sheet is slim, these potential RFAs�Nicholas Robertson, Arthur Kaliyev, and Cole Perfetti�represent intriguing options that could help Pittsburgh strengthen their roster. If the Penguins decide to explore this route, these players could be key targets to watch.

Source: The Hockey News
Three RFA Options that Make Sense for the Penguins