Pittsburgh should look to upgrade at 3C if they expect to remain in playoff contention this season
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, free agency has been relatively quiet in the "splash" department. General manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas reiterated that he did not make big plans for free agency and that any high-end talent - if acquired - would likely be coming via trade.
With that said, we're taking a look at some of the biggest areas of need on the roster and who Dubas and the Penguins should consider for those roles. Today's focus: Third-line center.
While current Penguins' third line center Lars Eller was fine in the role last season - he scored 15 goals and 31 points in 82 games played - the general lack of bottom-six production lends to acquiring a more offensively inclined third line center. At this juncture, Eller would probably be best-utilized as a great fourth line center - or as trade leverage.
Let's explore some options to fill the Penguins' 3C hole.
Philipp Kurashev, Chicago Blackhawks
Kurashev, 24, struggled to make an impression throughout his first three NHL campaigns, never surpassing 25 points. But he finally broke out in the 2023-24 while seeing minutes with Blackhawks' rising superstar Connor Bedard, registering 18 goals and 54 points in 75 games, including six goals and 19 points on the power play. He has quite the one-timer as well:
With the signings of top-six forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Teuvo Teravainen, it's hard to say whether or not Kurashev will continue to play regularly alongside Bedard. Kurashev, a natural center, is in his second year of a two-year, $4.5 million bridge deal, and while he currently figures to be part of the Blackhawks' plan, any slip in production may warrant a move.
With more talent on the way for the Blackhawks, he may be expendable anyway. His ability to slot in the top-six, as well as his power play acumen, could prove valuable to the Penguins. He would probably need to be complemented by a productive winger to thrive in a 3C role, but his offensive gifts, speed, and defensive prowess make him an attractive option if the Blackhawks are willing to listen on offers.
Boone Jenner, Columbus Blue Jackets
The biggest knock on Jenner is that he's 31, which doesn't exactly help the Penguins get any younger. But with two years remaining on a deal with only a $3.75 million cap hit, he is a perfectly reasonable fit for the Penguins.
Jenner has made it clear that he doesn't wish to be traded, but given the remaining term on his contract and the unlikelihood of the Blue Jackets being true contenders within the next year or two, the organization may wish to go in a different direction. The center notched 22 goals and 35 points in 58 games last season, and he profiles as a hardline, aggressive forward who makes a living playing down low.
He'd be a perfect addition to the net-front on one of the Penguins' power play units, and his style would marry with the Pens' needs at 3C.
Nicolas Roy, Vegas Golden Knights
Roy is entering the third year of a five-year, $15 million contract. His remaining three years of club control, strong two-way game, and Vegas' cap-strapped situation make him a great option for the Penguins.
The 6-foot-4, 27-year-old centerman is coming off of his best season, where registered 13 goals and 41 points in 70 games. He uses his size to his advantage and brings a physical element to his game that the Penguins have been lacking for years.
Vegas currently sits more than $3.6 million over the cap and will be looking to dump salary over the next season in line for extensions. This is a low-cost option that fits under the cap for the Penguins without a trade and would allow Eller to slot in at 4C, should they decide to keep him around.
Marco Rossi, Minnesota Wild
This is the most intriguing option for the Penguins, and the same goes for any team in the league. It's not often that a 22-year-old centerman is on the trade block after a 21-goal, 40-point breakout season, but rumors indicate that this may be the case, especially considering Minnesota's prospect depth at center.
Rossi will likely command either a first-round pick or a high-end prospect, but given his age, his 30-goal upside, and proclivity to hang around the net-front, he may well be worth the investment. He has the ability to slot in on the third line - at least as a starting point - and can be deployed in the team's top-six as well, potentially making way for a potential shift to the wing for Evgeni Malkin within the final two years on his contract.
The Penguins have the picks to sacrifice in a bidding war for the forward, but their prospect pool may not be as attractive as other options. In any case, if Rossi is indeed available as has been indicated, they should be in on the opportunity to snatch a talented young player and extend him before he becomes a RFA in 2025.