NHL Rumors: Penguins Linked to Top-Six Forward Trades

According to David Pagnotta of Fourth Period, the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking at acquiring forwards who are under team control and listed a few names that were recently linked to the franchise.

Could the Penguins add Connor Garland or Tyler Bertuzzi at the #NHLTradeDeadline?@TheFourthPeriod | @JamisonCoyle | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/jQnldb9tgy

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) March 14, 2022

The Canucks and Penguins have been chatting for quite some time as Jim Rutherford and company out in Vancouver know Pittburgh's organization to say the least, as he was the general manager with the Penguins before taking the president job with the Canucks. While Conor Garland and Brock Boeser continue to be discussed between the two teams, it appears the Penguins are open to moving a defenseman out for some forward depth, including either John Marino or Marcus Pettersson.

As for Tyler Bertuzzi, he's a new name being linked to the Penguins and it makes sense. He plays an in your face style and can put up points and would certainly bring a different element to the Penguins top-six forwards. Bertuzzi is signed through next season, making $4.75 million against the cap. The 27-year-old does not hold any no-trade protection and so far in 50 games this season has put up 48 points.

The Penguins have also been linked to Anaheim Ducks rental Rickard Rakell but word has both Ron Hextall and Brian Burke are trying to stay away from rentals this deadline as they want to stop the trend in Pittsburgh of shipping out assets for short-term gains. Rutherford used to love doing this as every year you have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on your team, is another year you have a shot at the Stanley Cup. We'll see how the new strategy pays off for the Penguins this time around.

Photo credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports