Among NHL teams actively seeking trades, the Pittsburgh Penguins stand out as the most motivated sellers. General Manager Kyle Dubas has clarified that veterans Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are available if the right offer comes.
Team captain Sidney Crosby remains untouchable, with the franchise showing zero interest in moving its franchise icon. However, recent rumors suggesting Carey Price could become available have the Penguins considering roster moves to create space for the veteran goaltender.
Could the Pittsburgh Penguins Become Carey Price’s Next Destination?
Last season, the Penguins’ seventh-place finish in the Metropolitan Division marked their third consecutive playoff miss. While Crosby continues performing at an elite level with 91 points in 80 games, the team needs fresh talent to compete again.
Adding new pieces means moving veterans, and Rust and Rakell have emerged as the most likely candidates. Dubas has confirmed his willingness to trade the duo for the right return, viewing their departures as essential to the team’s rebuild.
With a combined cap hit of $10.1 million, moving both players would create significant financial flexibility. Dubas wants to complete deals soon to avoid losing them to free agency as they become unrestricted free agents in 2028.
The situation becomes more intriguing with recent rumors suggesting the Montreal Canadiens might trade goaltender Carey Price. NHL insider Marco D’Amico believes Pittsburgh could be a viable landing spot for the veteran netminder.
With $13 million in cap space, the Penguins possess the financial resources to acquire Price. D’Amico mentioned, “Another surprising team that was suggested by an NHL source would be the Pittsburgh Penguins, who count ten unrestricted free agents and have made no secret of their intentions to rebuild.”
He continued, “Although they are $12M above the salary cap floor, sources have indicated that the Penguins could strip it down early and trade some vets if they continue to dwell in the basement of the NHL standings.”
What Other Moves Could Clear Space for Price?
Beyond Rust and Rakell, Pittsburgh has additional veteran contracts expiring next summer. Evgeni Malkin, 39, and Noel Acciari, 33, both become unrestricted free agents, carrying a combined $8 million cap hit that could be moved.
Price’s contract structure makes him more appealing than his numbers suggest. While his cap hit reaches $10.5 million, his actual remaining salary drops to just $7.5 million, creating financial flexibility for acquiring teams.
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The key question remains how much additional space Pittsburgh would need for a complete roster overhaul. With Dubas and management targeting prospects like Gavin McKenna in next year’s draft, maximizing returns on veteran trades becomes crucial to their rebuilding timeline.
They shouldn’t let the duo of Rust and Rakell so soon. They should atleast wait till next year.
Rust and Rakell have 3 years left on their contracts.