NHL Rumors: 2 Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Candidates

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in tough to make changes before the trade deadline as management doesn't have a ton of cap space to use and has no interest given up assets for rentals. President of hockey operations Brian Burke and general manager Ron Hextall have made it clear they'd like to upgrade their forward group, but will have to get creative to do so. Let's take a look at two Penguins who could be shipped out before the trade deadline:

Kasperi Kapanen

One of the more inconsistent players for the Penguins this season, Kapanen is a part of the reason why the team is looking to make an upgrade to their top-six. The team gave him the keys to Evgeni Malkin's right wing this season and frankly it just hasn't worked out, even seeing Kapanen scratched of late. After a hot start, he's recorded one goal in over a month and since his arbitration number this offseason will likely start with a $4, there's no chance Pittsburgh has interest. Look for them to try and move the speedy winger and there's going to be a number of teams interested. For some reason Kapanen doesn't kill penalties for the Penguins, after being an elite PK specialist for the Toronto Maple Leafs for several seasons. Let's see if his new team will change his role to find a better suited place for him in the lineup. Look for the Vancouver Canucks, Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche to have interest in the 25-year-old who has 26 points in 59 games this season.

Mike Sullivan on Kasperi Kapanen, who rotated in on the fourth line today: “I think the world of Kappy. I think the world of all of our players. … We’re trying to make decisions that gives our team the best chance to win and help all of our players maximize their potential.”
— Taylor Haase (@TaylorHaasePGH) March 10, 2022

Marcus Pettersson

Pettersson has been the odd man out of late as the 25-year-old mobile defenseman has been watching from the press box. He's making $4.02 million for the next three seasons, a number management would love to clean their hands from. Jim Rutherford out in Vancouver is a huge fan of Pettersson's as he traded for and signed him in Pittsburgh, there's chance he circles back here. So far in 55 games in 2021-22, the 25-year-old blueliner has recorded 14 points and is on pace to set a career high in hits. With the Penguins having Michael Matheson having a great season, who is also signed long term, plus Brian Dumoulin on the left side it's made Pettersson expendable. Look for a deal to go down before Monday's deadline.