Penguins Prepping Major Roster Shake-Up Before Trade Deadline

According to Marco D’Amico of RG.org, the Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for a potential “fire sale”. As the NHL trade deadline nears and the Penguins look to re-tool their roster, the process began when the team waived goaltender Tristan Jarry, and some big names are expected to be involved.

With the exception of captain Sidney Crosby, D’Amico reports that an NHL source confirmed nearly every player on the Penguins roster is available for trade. The only others unlikely to move are Evgeni Malkin, veteran forward Bryan Rust, and young players Philip Tomasino and Owen Pickering.

“Sid, Malkin, Rust, and the two kids, Tomasino and Pickering, they’re off limits for now, but everything else can be had for the right price,” the source revealed.

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Defensemen like Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson could be moved. Letang, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, has three years remaining on his six-year, $36.6 million contract. He has a full no-movement clause.

Karlsson, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, is another name available. The Penguins are reportedly open to retaining some of his $10 million AAV to facilitate a trade, and Karlsson is open to being moved. “That’s someone they want and need to move,” the source said.

How Far Is Dubas Willing to Go to Make Trades?

“According to the source, Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is ready to move contracts with term left and take the right ones back,” says the report.

Expect expiring contracts like Matt Grzelcyk, Marcus Pettersson, and others to be the first to go. They’re also open to moving players with reasonable contracts, such as Rickard Rakell, Michael Bunting, Kevin Hayes, and Noel Acciari.

With $5.2 million in cap space, the report also notes that the Penguins will not be shy about using their final retention slot to move a contract and the plan is to get picks and prospects. Karlsson may be the player the Penguins are forced to retain on. It will be intriguing to see if teams jump on that opportunity, especially with the San Jose Sharks already retaining some of Karlsson’s contract.

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