Seeking a playoff spot, the Pittsburgh Penguins eye offensive reinforcements. This analysis explores top trade targets for the Pittsburgh Penguins to boost their offence. Heading into the 2024-2025 season, the Penguins still have roughly four and a half million dollars left in cap space and a notable hole on the wing. Drew O’Connor played well with Sidney Crosby down the stretch. However, the Penguins are likely looking to add another forward who can complement the captain and bolster goal-scoring. In a press conference on July 1st, following his Free Agency moves, Dubas spoke to the media about his plans for the team going forward.
Those assets can come through the draft, younger free agents. via trade, or via waivers “that can come in and support the core group here,” Dubas said. “What we’re not going to do is get into the free agent quick fixes like some of the longer-range things we’ve seen today.”
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) July 1, 2024
While the Penguins have filled holes at many positions, a winger is still needed to replace Reilly Smith. As Free Agency has passed, the premier forwards are already signed to other clubs. As such, the trade route is a more viable solution for finding trade targets for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Forward – Nicholas Robertson
Nicholas Robertson is a young winger with the Toronto Maple Leafs without a contract. The former 53rd overall pick in the 2019 draft will be just 23 years old at the start of the next season. Kyle Dubas has spoken at length about needing younger players to both support the aging core of this roster and aid in transitioning the franchise into its next chapter. Nicholas Robertson is a perfect breakout candidate who could join a youth movement in Pittsburgh while providing scoring depth. Robertson is a winger likely to excel with Sidney Crosby because of his quick release and high energy. Last season, Robertson had 27 points in 56 games with just 11:22 minutes of ice time per game.
Robertson does not have an NHL contract, as the Toronto Maple Leafs only own his RFA rights. This may work in the Penguins’ favour, as it would give the team control in signing his next contract. His contract is also unlikely to be expensive due to his limited NHL resume. With their $4 million and change in cap space, Robertson is a forward the Penguins likely would not have to move anyone off the team to sign. He is also unlikely to command much in a trade as a frequent healthy scratch and a disgruntled player without a contract.
Columbus Blue Jackets – Forward – Patrik Laine
Patrik Laine is an interesting trade target for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The former 2nd overall pick will be 26 years old at the start of the next season. Laine’s greatest strength lies in his scoring prowess. As a big winger with an incredible shot, he would pair well with Sidney Crosby. There are concerns about his defensive performance, but playing with Crosby and Bryan Rust would help minimize his negatives. When Laine is available, he’s an elite offensive presence. Laine only played in 18 games last season, putting up nine points before entering the Player Assistance Program. However, Laine was a point-per-game player in the 2021-2022 season and near a point-per-game player in the 2022-2023 season. He had 56 points in 56 games and 52 points in 55 games, respectively. Many of those points came from the power play, an area where the Penguins struggled last season.
Laine would be an expensive addition to the Penguins, with an 8.7-million-dollar cap hit for this season and next. Acquiring him would likely mean moving out someone like Ryan Graves or Tristan Jarry to make the cap work. It is unlikely Laine will command too much in a trade with the Blue Jackets due to potential concerns about his availability. Kyle Dubas could use this to the team’s advantage by potentially offloading an inflated contract in a potential move.
Winnipeg Jets – Forward – Nikolaj Ehlers
Nikolaj Ehlers is a dynamic offensive winger known for his incredible speed. The 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft will be 28 years old when the upcoming season begins. Ehlers’ greatest strength is his speed and flexibility in positioning. He is capable of playing both wings comfortably and has experience playing bottom-six checking roles when needed. Ehlers’ speed would be a great complement to the playstyles of either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. His speed and forechecking ability would be a significant positive for Head Coach Mike Sullivan and the system he employs. Ehlers averaged 15:52 minutes of ice time last season, achieving 25 goals and 61 points over a full 82 games with the Jets. This would be a significant boost to a Penguins forward group that will start the season without Jake Guentzel for the first time since the 2017-2018 season.
Nikolaj Ehlers is on an expiring contract, making $6 million dollars against the cap this upcoming season. Similar to Patrik Laine, acquiring Ehlers would also mean subtracting from the roster to move out cap hits. However, General Manager Dubas has focused on being careful with longer contracts. As such, the Penguins are set to have plenty of cap space to re-sign Ehlers. Ehlers would likely be the most expensive addition for the Penguins in terms of trade value. The current asking price would be both a first-round pick and a younger player. This would be an issue for the Penguins as they are looking to the future. Acquiring Nikolaj Ehlers would signal that the Penguins organization is still fully committed to winning a fourth Stanley Cup with the core group of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang.
Which Target Makes the Most Sense?
Deciding which trade target for the Pittsburgh Penguins is best to acquire is a tough decision. It reflects the Penguins’ true plans going forward. Nikolaj Ehlers would provide a significant boost to the offence. However, Ehlers has a price tag and will command more money on his next contract. As such, Ehlers is unlikely to become a Penguin considering Kyle Dubas has committed to restocking the prospect cupboard.
Patrik Laine would also provide a notable boost to the offence. However, there are concerns about his potential availability for games, and his current cap hit will make it difficult to acquire him. If Dubas can find a partner to take on some of the Penguins’ current salary, Laine is a perfect reclamation project, as he was once considered one of the next great goal-scorers of his generation.
Nicholas Robertson: The Best Fit
Nicholas Robertson is the player whose case to become a Penguin is the easiest to make. Robertson is young and capable of driving offence. He also has a draft pedigree as a former second-round pick known for his speed and scoring. The biggest barrier to acquiring Robertson will be negotiating terms with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kyle Dubas was publicly fired just last summer by President Brendan Shanahan. There may still be some issues that could hinder communication. Brad Treliving has also confirmed the Leafs organization prefers to keep and continue to develop Robertson in their system, while Robertson has asked for a trade. If Dubas can navigate these issues, Robertson is a potential breakout candidate who could become a long-term asset for the Penguins.
Ultimately, the decision on who to acquire will hinge on Kyle Dubas and his team’s assessment of the team’s immediate needs versus its long-term goals. Each of these potential trade targets has notable pros and cons. The Penguins have some cap space remaining and just one notable hole left to fill before the start of the season. As such, GM Kyle Dubas is in a position to bring in a forward capable of pushing the Penguins closer to their goal of contention.
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