The Pittsburgh Penguins are getting a solid rookie season out of Pierre Olivier Joseph. Ron Hextall and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in a pickle when it comes to making a deal at the trade deadline. The Penguins don’t have cap space to take certain big swings, but are in dire need of something adjusted in the lineup. The idea that the salary cap is handcuffing Hextall is an obstacle, but it can’t be an excuse. Hextall stated that he has no plans of selling of his first round pick to create room in the salary cap, and that’s fine, but if he has plans of improving the team, he needs to move that asset. NHL Insider Scott Burnside said on the Fifth Avenue Faceoff [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/fifth-avenue-faceoff-320270] that if the Penguins’ first round pick is on the table, they can be in on any of the big trade targets left across the NHL. While options of Ryan O’Reilly, Timo Meier, and Brock Boeser are still available, Burnside closed in on defenseman Jakob Chychrun. It might a little late to get on that train, as Chychrun was held from the Arizona Coyotes lineup for ‘trade related reasons,’ but that doesn’t change what the Penguins should do with their first round pick. Burnside said that if Hextall isn’t willing to part with his first rounder then the Penguins don’t have much chance to improve. The New York Rangers proved that teams can make moves for huge names regardless of cap space. The Penguins have the ability to do the same thing, it’s just up to Hextall to pick up the phone. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Toughness Is Far From Penguins Biggest Issue [http://si.com/nhl/penguins/pens-talk/toughness-far-pittsburgh-penguins-biggest-issue] Sidney Crosby Stunned By First Career Game Misconduct [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-stunned-first-career-game-misconduct] Tensions Rise in Penguins Blowout Loss to Kings [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/tensions-rise-pittsburgh-penguins-blowout-loss-los-angeles-kings] Kris Letang Returns to Penguins Lineup Against Kings [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/kris-letang-returns-pittsburgh-penguins-lineup-los-angeles-kings] Casey DeSmith to Make Second Straight Start for Penguins [https://www.si.com/nhl/penguins/news/casey-desmith-second-straight-start-pittsburgh-penguins] * undefined * undefined