Forward Jansen Harkins did not perform well enough to earn a second chance with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season. PITTSBURGH – After missing the playoffs for two straight years, the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for changes and answers. President and general manager Kyle Dubas vows to make the Penguins a better and younger team, and he may look to a familiar place for help. Dubas’s former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, are also undergoing massive changes to its team and front office. The most notable change to the Maple Leafs lineup is a trade involving superstar forward Mitch Marner. If Marner is willing to alter his no-move clause, the Maple Leafs will have no shortage of teams calling for the skilled forward. Not only should Dubas and the Penguins be among the mix, but they may have what it takes to fleece the Leafs in a deal. According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] the Maple Leafs may be looking for defensemen while conceding a loss on the trade. “If they do make a Marner trade… maybe they don’t ‘win the trade’ and get a stud defenseman,” Friedman said. “But I would think a defenseman would be part of that package.” If the Penguins want to be involved with the Maple Leafs for a Marner deal, they have plenty of NHL-level defenders to choose from, even with guys like Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Marcus Pettersson chained to Pittsburgh. P.O. Joseph impressed down the stretch of the season, playing with Letang on the top line. Joseph was also quietly being asked about around the trade deadline. Perhaps a sign and trade could be ahead for Joseph, as he is an upcoming restricted free agent. If the Penguins really want to dump money, like Dubas did in his first summer with Pittsburgh, Ryan Graves may become part of the equation. This would fill the quota of the Leafs willing to “lose the trade.” The Penguins need to find a way out of Graves, and sending him to Toronto for a superstar talent would surely appeal to fans. The Maple Leafs are also looking for better answers to their goaltending situation. Ilya Samsonov let them down, and Joseph Woll looks to be their guy going forward. Will they have complete faith in Woll, or could they search for another name to add? The Penguins stated their belief in Tristan Jarry, but nothing is guaranteed. If the Penguins feel they'll have a better opportunity with a different goalie, it's easy to see Jarry getting the short end of the stick. A full deal for the Penguins to acquire Marner would include many extra pieces. Several prospects and draft picks would be involved, but the meat of the deal would center around big names and big contracts. Marner has a year left on his contract and controls where he wants to play. With those factors in mind, the Maple Leafs won’t have much choice but to sell low. The Penguins should try and take full advantage of the opportunity. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Penguins Top Prospect Impressing in WHL Playoffs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-brayden-yager-impressing-whl-playoffs] Former Penguins Star Named Top Free Agent [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-jake-guentzel-top-free-agent] What Penguins Can Expect from Draft Lottery [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-expect-2024-nhl-draft-lottery] Penguins Must Avoid 'Comfort Hire' When Replacing Coaches [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-must-avoid-comfort-hire-replacing-todd-reirden] Penguins Goalie Named Top Free Agent [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/pittsburgh-penguins-alex-nedeljkovic-top-free-agent-goalie] * undefined * undefined
