Potential Trade Partners for the Penguins
Which teams could the Pittsburgh Penguins look to make a deal with this offseason?
The seminal week of the NHL offseason is here, and the Pittsburgh Penguins still have plenty of work ahead. With the NHL Draft just over 24 hours away and all 32 general managers in Nashville, plenty of trades, or at least the beginning of trade discussions, will happen between now and the opening of free agency this Saturday.
Several teams could be looking to create flexibility under the NHL salary cap, and the Penguins President of Hockey Ops Kyle Dubas is looking to "cap-strapped" organizations to make additions.
"I think we're in a good spot and fortunate that the cap has remained flat," Dubas said last Friday in Pittsburgh. "It allows us to take on people from other clubs that can bring us good value and have us push to contend." Which teams could Dubas target for said players?
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are no strangers to the salary cap ceiling. However, with new contracts for Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak taking effect next season and over five lineup spots to fill, Tampa may be looking to shed salary fast before Saturday.
The biggest names remaining unsigned by Tampa Bay are restricted free agents Ross Colton and Tanner Jeannot. Could the Lightning look to move one of them in a possible sign and trade to create cap space while bringing back some value for two middle-six wingers?
Calgary Flames
The Flames and Penguins are in a similar situation. Both teams missed the playoffs last season and haven't found much success in the postseason over the previous five seasons. The difference is that the Penguins have over $20 million in cap space to work with, while the Flames have just $1.25 million, the third lowest in the NHL. Under new management, the Flames could look to shake up their locker room heading into the 2023 season.
Tyler Toffoli has already expressed his desire to leave the Flames, and other significant pieces could become cap casualties as general manager Craig Conroy looks to put his stamp on the team. Players like Andrew Mangiapane, Blake Coleman, and Noah Hanifin could find themselves in Dubas' crosshairs if Calgary becomes open for business.
Vegas Golden Knights
When aren't the Golden Knights open for business? The poster child for selling off heavy cap hits, Max Pacioretty, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Nate Schmidt, for example. Vegas may be in for another summer of trading away big pieces. They've expressed their desire to bring back trade deadline acquisition Ivan Barbashev and goaltender Adin Hill. But with only $3.4 million and uncertainty surrounding Robin Lehner's injury status, they may need to make more room.
Vegas was one of the deepest teams in the league last season, hence their run to the Stanley Cup, but they may have to give up some of their depth to keep the band together at the top and in net. Players like Nicolas Roy and Keegan Kolesar could be on the block this summer. However, their best trade chip, and potential for cap flexibility, would be trading away Reilly Smith.
With the NHL remaining in a stagnated salary cap, the Penguins could look to these teams to fill some of the holes on their roster.
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