Who’s Who of the Pittsburgh Penguins Trade Rumor Circus

Real Possibilities

• Mark Letestu (Edmonton Oilers, Center) [$1.8m, UFA] – This former top-line center used to work between Alexei Kovalev and James Neal… Yes, that happened, but Mark Letestu, who spent most of his career in Pittsburgh as the 4^th pivot behind Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, has seen a slight resurgence in his career as a bottom-six center with the Oilers, while also working the point on the powerplay (until this year). Letestu could be had cheap, is good on faceoffs, and could solve the Penguins 4^th line center dilemma.

• Patrick Maroon (Edmonton Oilers, Left Wing) [$1.5m, UFA] – If you ask Oilers fans about Maroon, it seems everybody has an opinion, but almost none form a consensus. Depending on who you ask, he’s either a versatile power forward that can play on any line or he’s a goon with no ability. Maroon could be on the Penguins radar as the team considers what to do with an aging Patric Hornqvist, who is set for a considerable raise this offseason. While Maroon is only a couple years younger than Hornqvist, he could provide a bridge until someone like Aston-Reese is ready to step into the fray more regularly.

• Matt Cullen (Minnesota Wild, Center) [$1.0m, UFA] – Matt Cullen holds a soft spot for most of Pittsburgh fandom. He was well-liked and contributed to both Stanley Cup championships squads, but has struggled in his time in Minnesota to fit into the Wild’s lineup. Could Cullen come to Pittsburgh for a conditional pick (a la Bill Guerin) and potentially slot into that 4^th spot? It’s definitely possible.

• David Desharnais (New York Rangers, Center) [$1.0m, UFA] – Similar to Cullen and Letestu, Desharnais could probably be had on the cheap and would provide a decent 4^th line center option.

• Derick Brassard (Ottawa Senators, Center)[$5.0m, 1 year] – This is one of the more intriguing hypotheticals available, but also the most expensive out of the realistic options. The Senators are having a fire sale, but Brassard won’t come cheap. He would slot into the 3^rd line center spot, bumping Sheahan down to the 4^th. This could give the Penguins a legitimate scoring threat on the 3^rd line, especially with Kessel. While the price to acquire him is high, the biggest hang-up is his $5m/year salary. That means current roster players would have to go out the door to make room.

• Thomas Vanek (Vancouver Canucks, Left Wing) [$2.0m, UFA] – If the Penguins are looking for help on the left side, especially with the uncertainty of the current injury situation, he could provide a scoring boost. With 38 points this year, Vanek has been a solid, but not spectacular member of the Canucks and might be one of the cheaper winger options available on the market.

• Antoine Vermette (Anaheim Ducks, Center) [$1.75m, UFA] – Another depth-center option that could slot in on the 4^th line, but more unlikely than Cullen or Letestu as a result of additional cap space that would be needed.