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Insider provides the latest on Penguins' trade chips

Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided an update regarding which Pittsburgh Penguins are drawing interest on the trade market.
ByJackson Weber|
Dec 3, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) celebrates his game winning goal with defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in overtime against the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (17) celebrates his game winning goal with defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) in overtime against the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

We are almost a week removed from the start of NHL Free Agency. The Penguins made a handful of signings and a few smaller trades, but nothing to really shake the balance of the team heading into 2025-26.

The direction of the franchise has been made quite clear by Kyle Dubas through his accumulation of younger players, draft picks, and prospects over the last two years. That hasn't changed this summer, which leaves many curious as to what comes next for some of the veterans, particularly Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson.

On Sunday, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman released his final "32 Thoughts" podcast of 2024-25 and dissected the state of all 32 teams around the league.

This is what he had to say about where things currently stand in Pittsburgh.

"So, I mean, we're watching now for Rakell and Rust. I've heard Rakell would prefer to stay in Pittsburgh; it's just that it's not his call. But ultimately, Dubas will make that decision. Rust has a lot of loyalty to the Penguins; I've heard there's a ton of interest in him. Again, it's up to; does Dubas get his price?"
Elliotte Friedman

With Jack Roslovic as the top forward remaining on the free agent market, Kyle Dubas should have teams lining up for a bidding war to acquire the likes of a Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust.

Moving Karlsson or Jarry will be much more difficult

Friedman also threw in a brief update on the futures of Erik Karlsson and Tristan Jarry, who feel a lot less likely to be dealt in the coming months.

"Erik Karlsson, the bonus is paid; his actual cash is really down. We'll see. A couple of teams I wondered about were Florida, no. Dallas, I don't know that I see it. But those were a couple I wondered about. Jarry, does anyone look there?"
Elliotte Friedman

Their expensive contracts and inconsistent play make a move harder to pull off, especially without retaining some money.

Overall it sounds like there still could be plenty of news for Penguins fans to watch out for this summer, so stay tuned.

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