Having a core group of players hovering around the age of 40 is never a positive. Today's NHL requires teams to have speed, and for the most part, the Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling to stay relevant with their aging superstars. At some point they will probably have to tear everything down to get to some sort of relevance.
That time might be now since trade rumors are swirling that different veterans are now on the trade block in Pittsburgh.
It's clear that general manager Kyle Dubas wants to make room in the lineup for some younger pieces. Both Rutger McGroarty and Avery Hayes are lighting up the AHL, and they're two players you'd like to see get a long NHL look this season. Dubas would have to make some bold trades by sending out a few veterans on the Penguins roster to make room for a couple of younger players.
Pittsburgh Penguins set to place veterans on trade block in an active effort to get younger
Rickard Rakell
If a winger is being traded to make room for a younger player, no one sticks out more than Rickard Rakell. His value has certainly gone down after a brutal start to the season, but maybe a fresh start elsewhere will get the scoring wingers game going. Pittsburgh has every slot in the top six cemented into place, and the only shot at making a big shakeup would be moving someone like Rakell.
Samuel Girard
He's been one of the better defenders for the Penguins to start the campaign and should get interest on the trade block. Samuel Girard is on an expiring contract, and unless something drastically changes, he will be gone when free agency begins this summer. Girard is a known commodity in the NHL and would gain the attention of any club looking for a top four left-handed defenseman.
Bryan Rust
This would be such a bitter pill for Pittsburgh to swallow.
Bryan Rust is such a great piece in the lore of the franchise. He does the right things and says the right things. He would make an honorable captain whenever Sidney Crosby hangs up the skates. All of that being said, Rust would command a strong trade market and would make a ton of sense as being a top option to move if the lineup wants to give some younger guys a chance to play.
Blake Lizotte
He just re-signed with Pittsburgh this past offseason, but Blake Lizotte could be a quiet guy on the move. Lizotte would be an incredible glue piece on a Stanley Cup contending team. He's strictly a fourth line center, but he brings amazing grit with his game. Witnessing the Penguins trade him so soon after his extension would be a surprise, but if a team comes calling, they have to listen.
Erik Karlsson
No one on the Black and Gold's roster makes more sense to trade this year than Erik Karlsson. He still has a headlining name, should command a strong haul on the trade market, and is on an expiring contract. There seems to be little interest from the Penguins on bringing the veteran back barring some insane turnaround.
Unless they're competitive, dealing Karlsson appears to be on the horizon.
Andrei Kuzmenko
Things just haven't been great yet for Andrei Kuzmenko since joining the Penguins. He had the tragic loss of his father, and the game hasn't gone in his favor since returning. The team might have to hang onto him for now, but moving Kuzmenko to open an opportunity for a young forward might be the way to go. It would still be shocking to see him get moved so soon, but that door should never be closed.
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