After winning back to back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, critics alike were starting to say that the Pittsburgh Penguins age would start to catch up to them. After being swept by the Islanders in the 1st round in 2019, and again were defeated in the 1st rounds in 2020 and 2021, many alike, including fans, were wondering if there was a rebuild on the horizon. But the Pittsburgh Penguins again are showing that their championship window still remains intact for now and are putting together a remarkable season, even if they are getting older. Sidney Crosby as of this post has 499 career goals and continues to make everyone around him a superstar. Jake Guentzel leads the team in points. Evan Rodrigues is having a career year. Evgeni Malkin is now healthy. Bryan Rust is showing why he is an important player in the top 6 for the Penguins. Kris Letang continues to play a lot of minutes and is among the leading scorers for defenseman since January 1. While the Penguins do have solid depth in scoring coming from the likes of Jeff Carter, Brock McGinn, and Danton Heinen, it remains to be seen what moves General Manager Ron Hextall will make to upgrade the team's chances of making a deep playoff run.
Looking around and reading names being named as potential targets, we will take a look at s few and see how they would improve the Penguins starting line up should they go on and qualify for the playoffs for the 16th consecutive season.
Nikita Zadorov
It really is simple. Zadorov has the size that could help the Penguins. 6ft 6 235lbs. Big, physical, and a guy that will wear down the opposition's star players come playoff time. If the Penguins can acquire him to mow down star players from other teams, this will give them the solution they have been looking for that they have been missing in the pass couple playoff runs. Interesting enough, the Flames are reportedly interested in adding depth for their forward position, which the Penguins have the piece to offer in the underperforming Kasperi Kapanen. (If only they would have kept Jared McCann instead!). Nonetheless, this would be a trade that would make sense for both sides.
Brock Boeser
The main reason why Boeser's name gets brought up as a potential trade target for the Penguins is because of the connection with Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford. Boeser, who is still young at 25, has 235 points in 295 career games. While he is due for a raise, if one steps back and looks at the big picture, is he the back up plan if the Penguins and Kris Letang cannot come to terms this off-season? If that's the plan, the Penguins will have to cough up some pieces, likely 1st round pick or top prospects, (maybe Pierre-Oliver Joseph?) and nhl roster players.
Nick Holden
Holden is a low-risk, high reward. He would come cheap at around $1.7 million. Experience that would provide depth should anyone go down with an injury. Able to provide offense when needed and has size the Penguins could use (6ft 4 210lbs.) Look at this being a more suitable option the Pens take a look at.
With the trade deadline still over a month away, anything can still happen. Players could get hot, injuries happen, and other trade targets become available for the right price. We will see what the Penguins will do, hopefully Hextall doesnt go too crazy though and just makes a trade to make a trade much like Rutherford was doing near the end of his stint as GM. It will need to be a right fit!
