4 Realistic Trade Targets Listed for Penguins

First, the Pittsburgh Penguins were said to be in "fire sale" mode. Then GM Kyle Dubas denied that was the case. Either way, however, you can count on them looking to continue their 'youth movement' as they target young players with upside during trade deadline moves in selling off pending UFAs and others.

With that, Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now has presented four young targets around the league that the Penguins should shoot for, who are "caught between the ceiling of the AHL and the floor of the NHL."

Aatu Raty, C, Vancouver Canucks

Raty was a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft (52nd overall) who got into 20 games earlier this season for the Canucks before being sent back down to Abbotsford in the AHL in early December. He's now racked up 23 points in 23 games for the minor pro club, showing his potential as a "play-driving offensive center who plays a solid 200-foot game," per Dobber Prospects. He's also a great skater with "high-end puck-skills."

The Canucks have shown some potential interest in Penguins' veteran rearguard Marcus Pettersson, though moving on from a young center might be difficult for Vancouver considering they're likely to trade either of their star centers JT Miller and/or Elias Pettersson.

Andrew Cristall, LW, Washington Capitals

The Caps are said to be looking for a top-six winger, so perhaps if Dubas waves Rickard Rakell in front of them, he can pry Cristall loose. The 19-year-old was a second-round pick by the Caps in the 2023 Draft, and is absolutely killing it juniors this year with 31 goals and 78 points in 35 games with Kelowna and Spokane in the WHL. He had 111 points last season.

Hendrix Lapierre, C, Washington Capitals

Sticking with the Caps, if they don't want to give up Cristall, perhaps Lapierre would be a Penguins target on the wing. After playing 51 games with Washington last season and recording 22 points, Lapierre had a slow start to this season and went back down to the AHL at the end of December. He was a first-rounder in 2020 (22nd overall), and the 23-year-old playmaking center might need a fresh start elsewhere.

Mavrik Bourque, D, Dallas Stars

Another first-rounder (30th overall, 2020 Draft), Bourque is at a higher level already than the previous three on this list, and the Stars have big plans for him. He's already moving up their depth chart in the big leagues this season, so he'd be tough to pry free. He's a 200-foot player and has been steadily moving up in the lineup for Dallas in his 44 games this season.

The Penguins, however, have some nice veteran pieces that could give the Stars the real oomph they need, both in the top-six and on the blueline, for a strong playoff run this year.