With another unsuccessful season in store for the Penguins, it is fair to question what the next trade will be. So far this season, the Penguins have already traded Lars Eller back to the Washington Capitals for a third-round pick in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2025. The Penguins also just acquired on Monday Phillip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators for a 2027 fourth-round pick.
The Penguins are expected to once again miss the playoffs and should be active in the trade market. General Manager Kyle Dubas should look to trade any aging veteran and/or pending free agent. There are five players that come to mind for the Penguins.
5 Penguins Trade Candidates
1. Marcus Pettersson
The biggest name and most attractive player that should be available is defenceman Marcus Pettersson. He has been with the team since 2019 has arguably been their best defensive defenceman. He is 28 years old and a free agent at the end of the season. It makes perfect sense for the Penguins to move him as he can command a good return and would free up $4.025 million in cap space for a team that has little to work with.
This season, Pettersson has a +/- of -8 which is the worst in his career and only time it has ever been in the negatives. However, that is more of a knock on his line mates and poor goaltending. Any playoff team that could use a top defenceman should go after him. Some teams that should reach out are the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, and Winnipeg Jets.
2. Anthony Beauvillier
Anthony Beauvillier was signed to a one-year $1.25 million dollar prove it deal by the Penguins this past offseason. He was coming off of the worst season of his career as he had just 17 points across three different teams this past season. He was brought in to hopefully fix the Penguins bottom six that has been putrid for a few years now.
Beauvillier has been a great signing and then some as he has six goals this season. He is currently on pace for 23 goals this season which would be a career high. The Los Angeles Kings, Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights, and St. Louis Blues could all use him.
3. Alex Nedeljkovic
Another Penguin who could be moved is goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. After a redemption season last season with the Penguins, he earned himself a two-year contract extension. However, with the rise of rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist and Tristan Jarry on the roster, Nedeljkovic most likely is the odd man out.
Statistically, Nedeljkovic is having a better season than Jarry, however, that is also not saying much. But due to their contracts, Nedeljkovic is the easier and more realistic option to trade. Expect the Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, and the Detroit Red Wings to be the top suitors.
4. Noel Acciari
Veteran forward Noel Acciari is another guy that should be on the Penguins chopping block. Acciari is under contract next year making $2 million dollars. Acciari has been very physical from a defensive standpoint this season as he has 57 hits and 30 blocked shots.
Despite little to his offensive game, his physicality and skills on the penalty kill should be enticing to many playoff teams or in the hunt. The two teams that could use him the most are the Edmonton Oilers and the New Jersey Devils.
5. Drew O’Connor
Lastly, another Penguin that could be on the move is young forward Drew O’Connor. O’Connor is the only Penguin on this list that was drafted by the Penguins. However, he is also the least likely to be moved out of this group. Last season was a career year where he had 16 goals and 17 assists for a total of 33 points which were all career highs.
Even if the Penguins do not want to trade him, Dubas may have to if the right offer comes. For an opposing general manager, there is a lot about O’Connor to be desired. For starters, he is a pending free agent and currently making less than a million dollars. Also, he has the size at 6’4 and the speed to play both center and either wing position.
Also due to his size, he can be utilized on the penalty kill which is another plus for anybody who may be in need. The Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning are two teams who would be perfect fits for O’Connor.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
