Penguins Have Two Big-Name Targets — But One Deal Looks Much Closer

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been connected to two high-profile forwards this offseason, but based on the latest reporting, one deal appears significantly further along than the other.

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Linked to both Elias Pettersson out of Vancouver and Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, the Penguins are working on two very different trades. One (Robertson) is a restricted free agent who recently filed for salary arbitration amid ongoing trade and offer sheet speculation. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Penguins and Stars have had “pretty serious talks” regarding Robertson. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe went further, reporting:

“The Penguins are still very much open to acquiring Robertson, whom they believe could be a short- and long-term building block for president/GM Kyle Dubas’ vision. The Penguins, as previously reported, believe there is a real chance Robertson would agree to play in Pittsburgh. Trading for his brother, Nick Robertson, doesn’t figure to hurt the cause.”

As for what a trade might look like, perhaps Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust go to Dallas, along with multiple first-round picks, while Robertson reportedly seeks a contract in the range of $14-$15 million annually. Dubas has reportedly shown a willingness to meet that price. Nick Robertson’s link also adds a personal element to the equation, something Dubas might have anticipated.

Meanwhile, the Penguins’ connection to Canucks forward Elias Pettersson appears far more speculative. “I don’t know. I wonder if the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin might be good for him,” said Friedman, who seemed to be spitballing ideas more than suggesting something was imminent. Pettersson remains under contract in Vancouver for several more seasons at an $11.6 million cap hit, and there’s no reported trade framework in place. Some reports suggested Pettersson had already declined a move to the Penguins, using his no-move clause to block anything before it could go anywhere.

So who seems more likely? If Robertson is open to going to the Penguins, he might be the favorite. However, there are a lot of what-ifs that need to be addressed there. What if he doesn’t want to sign an extension? What if the Penguins can’t put together a package the Stars like? Of course, what if Vancouver offers the Penguins a steal of a deal to take on Pettersson?

While nothing is finalized, the gap in reported traction is clear: Robertson represents the more realistic outcome for Pittsburgh, while Pettersson remains, for now, an insider’s hypothetical. Neither is neccesarily close.

Next: Lucky 7: Which Team Will Get Dylan Larkin In Trade With Red Wings?