Ryan Wilson: 2025 Penguins trade deadline preview 2025 Penguins trade deadline preview

Realistically there won't be that many trades from your blog. How many do you think need to be done to be considered a "good" deadline for the pens?

Realistically there won't be that many trades from your blog. How many do you think need to be done to be considered a "good" deadline for the pens?
- Aaron_85

I'd like to see him make at least one bigger move beyond Beauvillier and Gryz. So moving at least one of Rackell and Bunting. Feels like a waste not to capitalize on Rackell's big year so hope he is posturing. EK would be nice, and I think it's possible, but I understand that might be a summer move.

Wait..what? The Pens have 15 picks in rounds 1 to 3 this year?...or did I read that wrong?

Going back to re-read.

EDIT: They have 5 (two 1sts and three 3rds) this year...they have 15 picks in 1st three rounds over the next 3 years.

Solid write up Ryan! I believe Dubas will be active. I am hoping we make some solid moves.

For the TDL itself the only moves we have to make are the expiring contracts. For the other guys, we can only really judge things after the summer, since we shouldn't really care when we move these guys, TDL vs off season, just what the return is.

For the TDL itself the only moves we have to make are the expiring contracts. For the other guys, we can only really judge things after the summer, since we shouldn't really care when we move these guys, TDL vs off season, just what the return is.
- MickV

I just want more picks for this year's draft even though next years draft is supposedly a deeper one. Plus the guys with more term may have a really bad injury before the offseason or next season. Ship them out now, I say.

Realistically there won't be that many trades from your blog. How many do you think need to be done to be considered a "good" deadline for the pens?
- Aaron_85

3 preferably. 2 minimum. One of Rak or EK. Bunting and.....Beau or whoever. I would work hard to move EK. Use a combo of retained $ and taking back another short term bad contract for next year. I wouldn't want any bad contracts leaking into 2026.

I'd like to see him make at least one bigger move beyond Beauvillier and Gryz. So moving at least one of Rackell and Bunting. Feels like a waste not to capitalize on Rackell's big year so hope he is posturing. EK would be nice, and I think it's possible, but I understand that might be a summer move.
- Tojo.

This is one reason why I want us to trade Rakell. I feel like 365 days ago we were all begging for him to be traded because he had such a bad season. I think you try to trade him now or the offseason (pending on what offers you get). LA Kings I assume will have interest (you get offered Byfield and/or Clarke and you make that deal 100% of the time). Vancouver has asked about Rakell. Surprising enough Anaheim was a team to check in on him. I could see Edmonton being a potential interested team (but I don't know what assets would make sense).

Maybe it would make more sense for us to trade Rakell to someone like the Kings and then Edmonton send us Kane for a lower pick for Edmonton to open up some cap space and he could be the interim replacement. Then again maybe Jarry for Kane makes sense.

Jarry really needs a change of scenery. From my inside WBS connection. He has no confidence playing for our organization (since he feels a bit of betrayal). He is the type of player who could be great if you back him and stick with him like we did during his all-star seasons. It was an ego blow when we didn't put a good team in front of him with good defensive effort then pushed him down to WBS as the scapegoat. I think he is going to bounce back. I also feel like anyone who acquires him is going to have a VERY motivated Jarry. I could see him being motivated to show our organization that we were wrong about him if he is moved.

Wait..what? The Pens have 15 picks in rounds 1 to 3 this year?...or did I read that wrong?

Going back to re-read.

EDIT: They have 5 (two 1sts and three 3rds) this year...they have 15 picks in 1st three rounds over the next 3 years.
- MattStrat

Yeah the focus has obviously been on how bad the team is but quietly we’re in a good spot with futures. Just doesn’t feel that way because they’re all still draft picks and we don’t have many tangible prospects to be excited about yet

Murashov recalled to the AHL. No information on any corresponding move with another tender.

Should be interesting to see if Dubas is holding anybody out. Might signal if there are any serious negotiations on some of these players. If we "lose" a couple of players, I'd be inclined to let our prospects enjoy a playoff run with WB. Just bring up a retread or two. They'll get a bunch of NHL experience next year.

Murashov recalled to the AHL. No information on any corresponding move with another tender.

Should be interesting to see if Dubas is holding anybody out. Might signal if there are any serious negotiations on some of these players. If we "lose" a couple of players, I'd be inclined to let our prospects enjoy a playoff run with WB. Just bring up a retread or two. They'll get a bunch of NHL experience next year.
- madmike71

Blom wasn't at the WBS practice today

Yeah the focus has obviously been on how bad the team is but quietly we’re in a good spot with futures. Just doesn’t feel that way because they’re all still draft picks and we don’t have many tangible prospects to be excited about yet
- Victoro311

Our prospects are more likely the beginnings of a supporting cast. Still need those bus drivers. No top 6 centers, elite wings, #1 defenseman, etc. But that's the goal IMO. Get some players to surround the stars we hope to draft, so they don't start with nothing around them.

This is one reason why I want us to trade Rakell. I feel like 365 days ago we were all begging for him to be traded because he had such a bad season. I think you try to trade him now or the offseason (pending on what offers you get). LA Kings I assume will have interest (you get offered Byfield and/or Clarke and you make that deal 100% of the time). Vancouver has asked about Rakell. Surprising enough Anaheim was a team to check in on him. I could see Edmonton being a potential interested team (but I don't know what assets would make sense).

Maybe it would make more sense for us to trade Rakell to someone like the Kings and then Edmonton send us Kane for a lower pick for Edmonton to open up some cap space and he could be the interim replacement. Then again maybe Jarry for Kane makes sense.

Jarry really needs a change of scenery. From my inside WBS connection. He has no confidence playing for our organization (since he feels a bit of betrayal). He is the type of player who could be great if you back him and stick with him like we did during his all-star seasons. It was an ego blow when we didn't put a good team in front of him with good defensive effort then pushed him down to WBS as the scapegoat. I think he is going to bounce back. I also feel like anyone who acquires him is going to have a VERY motivated Jarry. I could see him being motivated to show our organization that we were wrong about him if he is moved.
- 123Kid

Rakell should be priority #1 to be moved ASAP IMO. Just look back to last deadline and there was A LOT of comments in here saying we would have to retain or add a lot to move him. Now he could potentially land the top return of any deadline move.
(Just teams I know for sure have looked into him... Panthers (doubt Zito is done), Dallas, Vegas, Carolina, LAK, Oilers, Detroit)

Obviously Beauvillier and Grzelcyk are as good as gone no brainers.

I dont think its a secret Karlsson badly wants to play for at least a playoff contender as of this season. I dont think it was any surprise he magically turned it on to the level he did in the 4 nations to show what he has left. Would be happy to let him pick his preferred 3-4 teams and take whatever the best offer is there.

Murashov recalled to the AHL. No information on any corresponding move with another tender.

Should be interesting to see if Dubas is holding anybody out. Might signal if there are any serious negotiations on some of these players. If we "lose" a couple of players, I'd be inclined to let our prospects enjoy a playoff run with WB. Just bring up a retread or two. They'll get a bunch of NHL experience next year.
- madmike71

I agree. I'd rather let the rookie prospects enjoy the full season and the playoff run. Instead I'd give that lower tier that needs to go on waivers like Ponomarov, Bennstrom, Poulin, St. Ivany get a look.

Good summary.

Minimum expectation
Sell Gryz, Beau & Bunting. I'd really like to upgrade picks more than just adding. Hopefully we can come away with a couple 2nds here, even if we have to throw in a 3rd and 4th.

Could happen
Sell Rackell - I like him but the return on him could be really strong. If we can get a 1st and a decent prospect or a 2nd I'd be fine. Totally fine keeping him though.

Sell Blomqvist - I just have a feeling here. Florida needs a cheap backup, Carolina could use him as a 3rd option for this run and as a backup next season. Vegas has Samsonov as backup who has sucked, is UFA and they are cash strapped. Blom is a cheaper alternative for them in the longer term. Edmonton similar story. Could be a way to extract some value with Murashov next up.

Unlikely but who knows
Karlsson gets traded for a similar return to Jones. Cap dump and a 1st.

You need to find a drunk GM
Graves & Jarry arent going at the deadline... maybe offseason?

Only shot for Jarry is if StL trades Binnington and somehow we end up sending Jarry there for Krug or something like that.

Graves only happens if we get involved in some kind of crazy Sabres trade. They send one of their big LD somewhere and we get involved with Rackell going to that 3rd team.

Rakell should be priority #1 to be moved ASAP IMO. Just look back to last deadline and there was A LOT of comments in here saying we would have to retain or add a lot to move him. Now he could potentially land the top return of any deadline move.
(Just teams I know for sure have looked into him... Panthers (doubt Zito is done), Dallas, Vegas, Carolina, LAK, Oilers, Detroit)

Obviously Beauvillier and Grzelcyk are as good as gone no brainers.

I dont think its a secret Karlsson badly wants to play for at least a playoff contender as of this season. I dont think it was any surprise he magically turned it on to the level he did in the 4 nations to show what he has left. Would be happy to let him pick his preferred 3-4 teams and take whatever the best offer is there.
- pens4life-66

Thanks for the info as always! I do think more and more Karlsson will be traded this TDL for that same reason.

Frederic off to Edmonton and Evans re-signed in Montreal. Good news. Two players off the market early. Not sure if Frederic will re-sign... leaves him open to us in FA if not.

Wish we played Rackell more at center after the small sample and the market for centers right now!

Players I have heard we may have discussed at points Georgiev (SJS), McTavish (ANA), Mintyukov (ANA), Peterka (BUF), Benson (BUF), Novak (NSH). I don't believe we were in many extensive talks with them. Just names I have seen/heard.

Trading Rakell, eh.

LMAO, possibly we can get a 1st line winger for Crosby in return.

Sometimes that GM job is tougher than it appears!

Players I have heard we may have discussed at points Georgiev (SJS), McTavish (ANA), Mintyukov (ANA), Peterka (BUF), Benson (BUF), Novak (NSH). I don't believe we were in many extensive talks with them. Just names I have seen/heard.
- 123Kid

I've been pretty high on Peterka. I'd love it but I cant see why Buffalo would let him go unless they just dont want to pay him $9M per year. McTavish too, he doesnt have the offensive upside of others but he plays a solid, complete game for a young guy. Could turn into a Bergeron type of player in the long term. I think both of those guys are offer sheet guys, not guys you will be able to trade for.

No idea why we would be kicking tires on Georgiev...? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Same with Novak... in a vacuum, not a bad player for the bottom 6 but unless we are building a bottom 12, we dont have the roster spots.

I've been pretty high on Peterka. I'd love it but I cant see why Buffalo would let him go unless they just dont want to pay him $9M per year. McTavish too, he doesnt have the offensive upside of others but he plays a solid, complete game for a young guy. Could turn into a Bergeron type of player in the long term. I think both of those guys are offer sheet guys, not guys you will be able to trade for.

No idea why we would be kicking tires on Georgiev...? That makes absolutely no sense to me. Same with Novak... in a vacuum, not a bad player for the bottom 6 but unless we are building a bottom 12, we dont have the roster spots.
- MacPatty

I'm just letting you know names I was told. I wish I was part of the GM team. I would push heavy for Peterka, Byfield, and others. I know we have talked with Buffalo and Anaheim a bit from rumors. LA I know was in on Rak which is why I am hoping for Byfield and/or Clarke as I know you all are hoping for similar as well. I am hoping for a few solid pieces. I know picks and players are being shopped. Here is to hoping something big happens.

I'm just letting you know names I was told. I wish I was part of the GM team. I would push heavy for Peterka, Byfield, and others. I know we have talked with Buffalo and Anaheim a bit from rumors. LA I know was in on Rak which is why I am hoping for Byfield and/or Clarke as I know you all are hoping for similar as well. I am hoping for a few solid pieces. I know picks and players are being shopped. Here is to hoping something big happens.
- 123Kid

Yeah, was more wondering if you had any insight into why we would be on some of those players. It seems crazy for LA to trade Byfield or Clarke. They are just getting productive now... why would they trade one of them? But yeah, I could totally see Rackell to LA, they seem like a great fit. Ive mused about a trade having Boeser going to LA and Rackell going to Vancouver.

I also still think we are a perfect trade partner for Buffalo. We have no LD and they have too many good ones. I'd love Power or Peterka personally.

I'm just letting you know names I was told. I wish I was part of the GM team. I would push heavy for Peterka, Byfield, and others. I know we have talked with Buffalo and Anaheim a bit from rumors. LA I know was in on Rak which is why I am hoping for Byfield and/or Clarke as I know you all are hoping for similar as well. I am hoping for a few solid pieces. I know picks and players are being shopped. Here is to hoping something big happens.
- 123Kid

I would love selling Gryz for a 2nd and do this:

Rakell, NYR 1st, 2nd from Gryz for Byfield and Clark.