Five Realistic Penguins Trade Targets

It’s well known the Pittsburgh Penguins are in desperate need of a trade to bolster multiple parts of the lineup, but who would be the right fit?

General manager Ron Hextall discussed the idea that he doesn’t want to make a move for the sake of a move, he wants to find someone that will be a proper fit with the Penguins.

More than just a proper fit, Hextall wasn’t fully clear when discussing the idea of making the first round draft pick available in a deal.

If Hextall isn’t willing to move that pick, it’s not exactly clear how much upgrading you can do to the Penguins lineup.

We’ve already discussed which Penguins could be on the move before the deadline, but what are the realistic targets that Hextall could fish for?

While it would be fun to say the Penguins are involved with guys like Timo Meier or Erik Karlsson, they aren’t in the right situation to afford either player.

And with Bo Horvat and Vladimir Tarasenko already moved, the Penguins missed those boats.

Clumping all three options from the St. Louis Blues into one section, all three of Ivan Barbashev, Noel Acciari, and Ryan O’Reilly are suspected to be on the move.

The Blues have likely started their tear down with the Tarasenko deal, and others have to be on the horizon for them.

For the Penguins, any of Barbashev, Acciari, or O’Reilly would be solid options to add to the bottom six.

O’Reilly would have the highest price tag, but the Penguins have what it takes to make that kind of move.

Acciari is a new option for the Penguins, and wouldn’t fly much higher than a replacement for Teddy Blueger on the fourth line, but could be a needed shakeup for the bottom six.

The Penguins and Anaheim Ducks have been regular trade partners for the past few seasons, and that could continue with a move involving Adam Henrique.

The Ducks are going nowhere fast and Henrique could do wonders to the Penguins third line center situation.

Adding Henrique doesn’t mean Jeff Carter is going the other way, but it at least adds a new layer to the third line that is in need of a change.

Arguably the biggest possible option for Hextall, Brock Boeser would bring new firepower to the Penguins.

Sure, Boeser would likely play alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, but he could force names to be shifted to bottom six roles, thus bolstering that area.

Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford is pretty familiar with much of the Penguins lineup, and would likely take on one of his old signees.

Kasperi Kapanen or Brian Dumoulin come to mind right away, but there might still be some teeth pulling to be had.

Regardless, the Penguins have the assets to acquire Boeser if they really wanted to, and he would be a useful addition in multiple areas.

The Penguins might be linked or make sense to other names around the league, but these are the ones that have the highest probability.

It’s fun to figure out how the Penguins can always swing for the fences, but there has to be some realism attached.

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