2 Players Penguins Could Trade Next

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a lot of changes this offseason and got a lot better. This new team gives them a strong chance of not only getting back into the playoffs, but competing for the Stanley Cup too. Kyle Dubas appears like he is going to be very active in making this team better at every turn, and if players are going to be acquired, others might have to be moved out. Here's a look at who could be traded next.

Ty Smith

Ty Smith came in hot to the NHL at age 20 and played for the majority of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons with the New Jersey Devils. He kind of got pushed out of the lineup with established players getting playing time and found himself traded to the Penguins where he only got into nine games last season. In those games, he showed his offensive talent and recorded four points. He also played a physical game, showing that there is more to his game than just offense. He is now at the point in his career where he is eligible for waivers and must take a spot on the Penguins this season. I believe that he is more valuable than Chad Ruhwedel or Mark Friedman, but Smith is a left-shot defenseman that plays the left side. The Penguins already have Ryan Graves, Markus Pettersson, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. Smith will either have to play the other side, or the Penguins need to trade him so they don't waste an asset.

Jeff Carter

The Penguins saw an unfortunately big drop-off from Jeff Carter last season. Centering the third line, it was one of the worst in the NHL. He only scored 13 goals and 29 points in 79 games, six fewer goals and 16 fewer points than the season prior while playing more games last season. He is 38 years old now and one the final year of his deal that has a cap hit of $3.125 million AAV. The team signed Lars Eller to either take over the third line center role this year or next, so it would be ideal to get Carter's money off the books and trade him by the trade deadline if they can.