Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Possible Offseason Trade Targets
Apr 11, 2015; Buffalo, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing
Patric Hornqvist(72) watches as Buffalo Sabres right wing
Brian Gionta(12) jumps to avoid a shot during the third period at First Niagara Center. Pittsburgh beats Buffalo 2 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford will be actively participating in any and all trade offers that come his way. He needs to address the top-six talent on this team, and will need to do so with a trade rather than overpaying for a scoring winger in a less-than-impressive free agent class. And, he’s obviously no stranger to offseason deals as he sent James Neal to Nashville last summer in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling.
As I touched on here, the Pittsburgh Penguins have multiple assets that should bode well on the trade market. They have the ability to move a solid young defensive prospect, along with Brandon Sutter. Also, though many will disagree, Matt Murray should also be on the table after having a superb year in the AHL. He likely performed far beyond his long-term ability this season, and his value will never be higher.
The tricky part is obviously finding a team that has a suitable target, as well as needs that the Pittsburgh Penguins can fill for them. Offseason trades are going to be hockey trades more often than not, opposite of what we see near the trade deadline as teams unload talent for picks and prospects in order to rebuild. Let’s take a look at some possible targets.
Dec 22, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman
Yannick Weber(6) reaches over Arizona Coyotes forward
Mikkel Boedker(89) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 7-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mikkel Boedker – Arizona Coyotes
Mikkel Boedker is the epitome of what the Pittsburgh Penguins need to fill a top-six role. He’s a 25-year old wing with the potential to put up sixty points playing alongside talented centers. At 6’ and roughly 205 lbs. he has good size, boasts a great set of hands, and can flat-out fly. Although he has had some injury concern, he did put together three consecutive healthy seasons prior to this year in which he suffered an injury to his spleen and had to have surgery.
Boedker is a restricted free agent this summer. Basically, Jim Rutherford and the Pittsburgh Penguins would need to put together a package that could acquire his rights from Arizona in order to negotiate a deal. From what I can dig up there hasn’t been a lot of dialogue between Boedker and Arizona on an extension, so a deal like this is very possible. I can’t imagine that a young forward of his caliber is going to voluntarily stay with a team in a rebuilding phase… again.
Arizona is in need of centers, which makes this deal seem all the more fitting. They’re also a team that fights to hit the cap floor each season, so maybe it wouldn’t be out of the question for a Sutter/Scuderi for Boedker’s rights transaction. He’ll likely be looking for something in the $3.5 to $4 million range on a multi-year deal. As I said, perfect fit for the Pens. That’s extremely affordable and they aren’t wagering on old veteran’s.
Boedker is a guy that will be a solid contributor for many years.
Apr 25, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing
Kris Versteeg(23) skates with the puck against the Nashville Predators during second period in game six of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Kris Versteeg – Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks have quite the cap predicament this offseason. They are right up against the ceiling and have to sign restricted free agent Brandon Saad. A lot of folks have already started talking about Patrick Sharp to Pittsburgh, but Sharp is 32 and carries a $5.9 million cap hit for two more years. Large veteran contracts are the reason the Pittsburgh Penguins had such little cap flexibility this past season, there’s no reason to add to it.
Considering that Brad Richards is an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Blackhawks will need a solid center and Brandon Sutter can play that role. If a player-for-player swap is done the Blackhawks will be adding roughly $900,000 against the cap, but they’re addressing a void that Richards leaves for that amount. The Blackhawks have no shortage of wingers that can fill in as they’re one of the deeper teams in the league in that aspect.
The two teams can obviously get creative here too. The Penguins could throw in a depth player such as Scott Wilson or Bryan Rust, which would make this deal similar to moving James Neal to Nashville for a bit more cap but filling two voids.
I haven’t heard any solid reports that the Hawks are looking to move Versteeg. But, considering Brandon Saad will be their number one priority this summer, it isn’t far-fetched to imagine they’ll listen to offers.
Mar 15, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing
Kyle Palmieri(21) and defenseman
Francois Beauchemin(L) celebrate after Palmieri scored against the Nashville Predators as left wing
Taylor Beck(41) reacts during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Palmieri – Anaheim Ducks
Palmieri is a young player that exhibits speed and has a lot of scoring potential. He had 29 points (14g, 15a) in 57 games this season and only carries a $1.47 million cap hit.
With Matt Beleskey and Jakob Silfverberg hitting unrestricted and restricted free agency, Palmieri may be someone the Ducks are willing to part ways with for the right price as they’ll surely want to sign both of those guys. But, the question here is what the Ducks need in return.
For a young player like Palmieri you’re likely giving up a prospect or pick along with a roster player. Also, he isn’t a home run by any means. But, if the Pittsburgh Penguins are truly looking to get younger, faster, and more skilled, this would be a great guy to add.
Palmieri had a strong season while playing most of his minutes alongside Ryan Kesler. Imagine the production increase he could have playing with a true playmaking center.
Feb 24, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward
Benoit Pouliot(67) shoots during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Oilers defeated the Wild 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Benoit Pouliot – Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are in dire need of defensemen. The Pittsburgh Penguins have a crop of young blue-liners that could help. I can’t say that I’m completely sold on Benoit Pouliot, as he has been inconsistent and carries a pretty hefty contract, but a 28-year old with his potential is hard to overlook.
Pouliot has a large frame at 6’3 and roughly 200 lbs., but he could be more aggressive as he doesn’t necessarily use that size to his advantage. However, he’s very shifty and quick for his size, and as his profile on The Hockey News states, “oozes talent”.
He’s the type of player that can play the East-West style that Evgeni Malkin plays so well and has the potential to explode if given the chance to play alongside an elite center like Geno. His cap hit is manageable considering that Scuderi will likely be bought out and you’d be moving a roster piece in the deal.
Also, it would be pretty fun to hear Mike Lange calling goals by Benoit Pouliot assisted by Derrick Pouliot.
Mar 8, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin (28) skates with puck against the Edmonton Oilers at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers 7-4. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Semin – Carolina Hurricanes
I know, HUGE price tag. But, keep in mind that the Hurricanes were reportedly shopping Semin at this years trade deadline with the idea of retaining salary.
Alexander Semin is about as pure of a goal scorer as you’ll see. He has a rocket of a shot, quick release, and would fit very well with Evgeni Malkin. While he hasn’t been able to find his scoring touch in Carolina, I can almost guarantee that wouldn’t be the case playing with the type of talent Pittsburgh can offer.
You want a right-handed shot that can help fix the power play?
Ron Francis will be willing to hear all offers, as he’s spending a lot of money on a player that doesn’t fit that team. If you can workout a deal with retained salary it’s definitely worth a phone call.