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The Penguins abundance of forwards could signal trades still to come this summer

After signing several depth forwards in free agency, the Penguins have far more NHL-caliber players than roster spots up front heading into 2025-26.
ByJackson Weber|
Mar 25, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Mar 25, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Nothing about what Kyle Dubas has done this offseason is going to make your jaw drop, but you can't say he hasn't been active.

The Penguins' GM has made several trades, re-signed some of his own, and added a plethora of depth players in free agency over the last 48 hours. While there's been trade activity, none of it has involved the most interesting names that often surface in the rumor mill: Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson.

Rakell and Rust, in particular, are the two who could bring the Penguins massive hauls in a trade return, and with the lack of free agents remaining on the market, they are in high demand.

In the last two days, Dubas has re-signed both Connor Dewar and Phil Tomasino while adding Justin Brazeau and, most recently, Anthony Mantha. All four of these players will be in the lineup to start the 2025-26 season, but the problem is that no forwards have gone out the door. Combine this with the expectation of Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty making the jump to become full-time NHLers, and you've got far too many forwards to fill just 12-14 roster spots.

Matt Meagher shared how the lineup currently shakes out up front on X.

Filip Hallander and Joona Koppanen are more likely to start in the AHL, though the 16 others all presume to be with the big club, so something has to give.

Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust remain the most likely to be dealt

While it's certainly possible that Noel Acciari, Kevin Hayes, or Danton Heinen get traded, the more probable scenario is one of Rakell or Rust being dealt for a package of young players, prospects, and picks.

It's evident that Kyle Dubas has no intention of trying to win in 2025-26, with all of the focus on the future as he rebuilds the roster. Given how clear the direction of the team is, it's easy to connect the dots and conclude that an impact forward may be gone sooner rather than later.

Watching a Rickard Rakell or Bryan Rust leave Pittsburgh will be hard for fans to stomach, so if Dubas does make a move, it better be for the right return.

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