The Panthers shocked everyone when they acquired Bruins captain Brad Marchand at the trade deadline and he fits in perfectly. He is also one of a couple big name free agents the Panthers have including defender Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett. They will likely lose one of them in free agency and the Penguins will be in a position to bounce on a free agent or two from the reigning champs.
Attempt to sign Aaron Ekblad to a 5 year 55 million dollar contract (11 mil AAV)
Ekblad will likely be the odd man out in Florida, he is a 29 year old defender who will likely command a huge salary in free agency and the Panthers will probably prefer to prioritize Bennett and Marchand, the trade for Seth Jones also shows the Panthers are thinking about a future without Ekblad. The Pens desperately need to stablilize the back end and give the team a fighting chance every night. The Penguins also do not have many defenders in the prospect pipeline. It would be wise to get a high-level blue liner to serve as the teams number 1 defender while the Pens build the prospect base.
Here is why the Penguins should do this. The Penguins defense was awful last year and the goaltending was not much better although I find it hard to imagine any tender succeeding with the group in front of them.
The Pens desperately need to stablilize the back end and give the team a fighting chance every night. The Penguins also do not have many defenders in the prospect pipeline. It would be wise to get a high-level blue liner to serve as the teams number 1 defender while the Pens build the prospect base.
Trade Erik Karlsson
If the Panthers are unable to resign Ekblad, the Pens should consider shipping Karlsson to Florida for a 2026 2nd, 2025 4th, and 2028 1st-round pick. The Penguins need to move on from the Karlsson contract, he will not fetch a huge haul given his contract hence why the Pens would not acquire a first until 2028 in this hypothetical trade. The Penguins would retain half of EK 65s contract to move him.
Florida has only 2 RHD in Jones and Ekblad. EK 65 would provide an offensive threat from the blue line, and he also would not be forced to match up against teams' best lines, players like Forsling. The Panthers also have an incredible forward group that plays an amazing 200-foot game that eases pressure on their defenders. Karlsson could focus more on offense and be a real driver on their power play.