The Penguins decided to start selling off some of their players that were on expiring contracts and players they thought could net them a decent return. That belief came true as last week they traded Marcus Pettersson and Drew O'Connor to the Vancouver Canucks. Word on the street was the Penguins were searching for a first-round pick in any trade for Marcus Pettersson and GM Kyle Dubas got his wish.
We've got a late-night Pettersson trade:
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 1, 2025
To Pittsburgh: NYR 2025 first-round pick (conditional), Danton Heinen, Vincent Desharnais, and Melvin Fernstrom
To Vancouver: Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor pic.twitter.com/7HFHb3XARN
Now the question becomes, what do the Penguins do with this extra first-round pick they received since they now potentially have two in this upcoming draft? Do they trade it for a young forward that has some term on his contract, or do they keep it if it stays in this draft and select somebody?
Well, if they decide to trade it, they should look into a couple young forwards that Buffalo is possibly shopping on the trade market.
What would the Penguins be getting in Cozens if they acquired him?
Cozens has a lethal shot, so far in his career has 76 goals and 116 assists in 333 games, and so far has 26 points in 53 games for the Sabres.
Cozens is currently on year 2 of a 7 year contract that pays him 49.7 million dollars until 2030.
Cozens is only 23 years old, has struggled this year, but would be exactly the type of player that Dubas is looking for to help the retool.
He wants someone young and fast and knows how to score, they would have to move some money out to make it work with Cozens' contract, but Dubas can make it work if Cozens is the one he wants.
What would the Penguins be getting in Peterka if they acquire him?
Peterka is also a player with a really nice shot and has had a really nice career so far but the Sabres have an excess of young players and Peterka has drawn some eyes from teams lately.
Peterka has 55 goals and 68 assists in 212 career games and this season he has 15 goals and 26 assists in 51 games.
JJ Peterka in his 200th @NHL game ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/5IREquitTj
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) January 7, 2025
The Penguins would be getting a hell of a player in Peterka if they were to acquire him instead of Cozens.
Both players are really good choices if Dubas wants to call Buffalo and see if he can land either of these players, it would be a home run and really help speed up the retool.