Pittsburgh Penguins: 2 Players Most Likely to Be Traded Next Season

The NHL offseason is underway and there's been a ton of movement so far this summer. Along with mega-contracts being handed out and an expansion draft in Seattle, there's been multiple trades that will have huge impacts on the 2021-22 NHL season. Trades will continue this summer and of course into next season, so we shift our focus to the next deal for each franchise. 

Follow along as we highlight a couple of players from each team who are most likely to be traded next season. Last time around we focused on two St Louis Blues veterans. Now we head to check in on the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

2 Penguins Most Likely Getting Traded Next Season:

Jason Zucker: The Penguins were hoping the Seattle Kraken would select Zucker after leaving him exposed in the expansion draft, however the Kraken decided for a grinder in Brandon Tanev. Zucker hasn't fit in well with Evgeni Malkin on the second-line and his $5.5 million salary isn't suited for any team's third-line. Look for the team to continue trade talks as the new management duo aren't huge fans of the undersized and under productive Zucker.

Marcus Pettersson: Another expensive player who is not performing to his contract, Pettersson was given a knee-jerk extension by ex-Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford and now it looks like the team is stuck with him. The 25-year-old has four seasons left on his contract, paying him just over $4 million. If the Penguins are going to be able to move Pettersson, expect them to have to include a top prospect to sweeten the pot.

Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports