NHL Rumors: Penguins and Rangers Trade Speculation

The Pittsburgh Penguins are navigating a turbulent 2024 NHL season, marked by inconsistent goaltending, poor defensive play, and erratic offense. At one point, they found themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

A recent four-game winning streak has brought the Penguins closer to a playoff spot as they prepare to face the struggling New York Rangers on Friday. Despite this momentum, the Penguins are widely expected to be sellers ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 7.

Penguins Facing a Challenging Season

Josh Yohe of The Athletic recently analyzed which Penguins players might be on the trading block. Pending UFA (unrestricted free agents) such as Anthony Beauvillier, Drew O’Connor, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Matt Nieto are logical candidates, though their trade returns are unlikely to be significant.

One standout exception is Marcus Pettersson, a towering defenseman whom Yohe describes as “as good as gone.” Pettersson could fetch “at least a second-round pick, maybe more.” For context, defenseman Ben Chiarot garnered a first-round pick when the Montreal Canadiens traded him to the Florida Panthers at the 2022 deadline.

Players with remaining contract terms might also be in play. Noel Acciari, Michael Bunting, and Blake Lizotte, each with one year left on their deals, could draw interest from contenders.

Yohe also speculates that forward Rickard Rakell could be on the move. The 31-year-old has scored 10 goals in 27 games this season and hit the 60-point mark in 2022-23. While Rakell could attract teams seeking scoring depth, his $5 million AAV (average annual value) through 2027-28 might complicate a trade.

One player who is unlikely to move is Evgeni Malkin. Rob Rossi of The Athletic dismissed rumors linking Malkin to the Dallas Stars, emphatically stating, “That will never happen.”

Penguins Eyeing Young Talent

Looking ahead, the Penguins are reportedly exploring future options to complement their recent acquisition of Philip Tomasino on November 25. Kelsey Surmacz of The Hockey News identified five young forwards the team should consider targeting, including Nils Höglander of the Vancouver Canucks and Nick Robertson of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Rangers Enter the Trade Rumor Spotlight

The New York Rangers have also been a focal point of recent NHL trade rumors. Reports last week suggested that the team’s management might consider trading veterans such as Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider.

Mika Zibanejad’s Future in Question

Another name entering trade speculation is Mika Zibanejad. Marco D’Amico of RG.org reported that the Rangers are evaluating the market value of their 31-year-old center. While no immediate moves are confirmed, the notion of moving Zibanejad signals potential big changes for the Rangers.

Pursuit of Young Talent

Stan Fischler of The Hockey News proposed that the Rangers should focus on acquiring young prospects such as Brett Berard, Gabe Perreault, and Brennan Othmann if they decide to trade underperforming veterans.

Coaching Rumors Addressed

In addition to trade speculation, the Rangers faced rumors regarding head coach Peter Laviolette. Social media buzz suggested that the Rangers might replace him with Joel Quenneville. However, Larry Brooks of the New York Post debunked this, clarifying that the Rangers have neither held discussions with Quenneville nor plan to.

Despite the team’s struggles, the Rangers remain committed to Laviolette. However, persistent speculation about his future is likely to continue unless the Blueshirts can reverse their current slump.

With the NHL trade deadline approaching, the Penguins and Rangers find themselves at the center of swirling rumors. While the Penguins seem poised to sell and focus on rebuilding, the Rangers must decide whether to overhaul their roster or stay the course. These next few weeks will be pivotal for both teams as they navigate their respective challenges.