3 Pittsburgh Penguins Stars Make New NHL Trade Board

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a rough start to their season, as evidenced by their tough 6-9-2 record. They have also lost four out of their last five games. 

Now, with the Penguins having a slow start to the campaign, a few of their players are already creating some chatter as potential trade candidate. 

This is because Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson were all included in The Fourth Period's latest Trade Watch List for the 2026-27 campaign.

Rust was given the No. 6 spot on The Fourth Period's latest trade board. Seeing him featured on another trade board is not very surprising, as questions about his future in Pittsburgh have come up for a while now.

Rust is currently out with a lower-body injury, but certainly could generate interest from teams this season that are looking for a top-six winger. In seven games this season, he has posted three goals and five points. This is after he had 29 goals and 65 points in 72 games last season. 

Rakell was given the No. 9 spot on the Fourth Period's trade board. Like Rust, Rakell has been the subject of trade rumors for a long time. The 33-year-old could be a solid pickup for a team that wants a versatile forward for their middle six. 

In 17 games this season for Pittsburgh, Rakell has recorded five goals and nine points. This is after he had 24 goals and 48 points in 60 games last season for Pittsburgh. 

As for Karlsson, he was given the No. 22 spot on The Fourth Period's trade board. With the Penguins struggling and Karlsson being in the final season of his contract, he could be a popular target if he is willing to waive his full no-movement clause.

Karlsson is having another strong season offensively for the Penguins so far in 2026-27, as he has posted three goals and 17 points in 17 games. He also had 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games last season for Pittsburgh.