Although offer sheets are rare, a few options may be of interest to Pittsburgh. Should they dive in?

In today's NHL, the art of offer sheeting has all but waned.

If an offer sheet happens to be on the table, it's almost always matched. There are only two instances in the cap era - Dustin Penner in 2007 and Jesperi Kotkaniemi in 2021 - when a player's qualifying club chose not to match an offer from an opposing team. 

Given that offer sheets are so rare to begin with - and successful ones are nearly nonexistent - it's highly unlikely the Pittsburgh Penguins will extend an offer to anyone. However, this does not mean that an offer sheet fails to make sense.

If the Penguins do indeed surprise, which RFAs should they target?

Nicholas Robertson - LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

If there is one RFA name Penguins fans have heard this offseason, it’s Nicholas Robertson’s. And for good reason.

Robertson, the younger brother of Dallas Stars superstar, Jason, has struggled to find a fit in Toronto and requested a trade at the end of the 2023-24 season. The 22-year-old forward registered 14 goals and 27 points in 56 games, and he has the tools to be an effective middle-six winger - and, perhaps, a top-six winger - for a club willing to give him a fresh start.

As we mentioned earlier this week, it's worth considering that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas drafted Robertson in Toronto, and the top-six is an area of need for next season's roster. However, Toronto holds most of the leverage since Robertson did not qualify for arbitration, meaning they can hold out until either a good offer emerges or he agrees to terms on a short-term deal.

Arthur Kaliyev - RW, Los Angeles Kings

After showing some promise in his rookie and sophomore seasons, Kaliyev is coming off of a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that saw him record just seven goals and 15 points in 51 games. The Kings' 2019 second-round pick is best-known for his shot, which has potential to find the back of the net a whole lot more at the NHL level.

Kaliyev requested a trade, and, to be honest, a change of scenery may be the best option for both him and the Kings. This is a low-risk, low-cost option for the Penguins, and given their need for scoring depth and a youth injection, this is a move that could make a whole lot of sense for them.

Cole Perfetti - C, Winnipeg Jets

This is definitely one you can file under the "longshot" category, but it may at least be worth a discussion.

Perfetti, the 10th overall pick in 2020, had a 2023-24 season full of ups and downs. His 19 goals and 38 points earned him a steady role in the Jets' top-six, but his inconsistency on the tail end of the campaign resulted in a series of healthy scratches that have raised some questions about contract negotiations.

It is presumed that Perfetti will sign a bridge deal with the Jets, and the Penguins would likely need to use their remaining $3.52 million in cap space - plus free up more cap in a trade - to make a viable offer. Still, given his first-round pedigree and high upside, the Penguins should be all over this if Perfetti and the Jets are willing to listen on offers.