Kevin Hayes and Cody Glass found themselves packing bags in a summer of tighter salary caps and team reshuffles. They landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins, as their former teams sweetened the pot with draft picks to entice Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to bite on the deal.
While opinions may vary on the immediate impacts of those trades, Glass came in as a defensive asset to a team frequently caught napping in their own end. He played well enough to spark interest, earning the Penguins a couple of third-round picks—one from Nashville for the initial acquisition and another when the New Jersey Devils came calling at the trade deadline.
Fast forward to this summer, and the Penguins are charting a new course thanks to a rising salary cap and some well-defined strategic intentions. Dubas's game plan doesn't involve salary dumps or young faces unlikely to make a dent on the ice.
There’s a buzz around the league as national outlets like The Athletic populate their trade bait lists and predict potential moves. It seems the Penguins might be primed to use those assets to reel in even bigger fish this time around.
RFAs and Possibilities
High up on those trade boards is the name JJ Peterka, a restricted free agent from the Buffalo Sabres. Whispers around the rink say Dubas has been eyeing Peterka, a dynamic left-winger with a killer shot who put up 27 goals and collected 68 points this season.
However, with the Sabres’ perpetual struggles, Peterka is reportedly feeling the strain of unmet expectations. Buffalo likely needs some bonafide NHL talent in return, and the Penguins appear willing to pony up.
Peterka is just the tip of the iceberg. Marco Rossi has also been in the rumor mill and, as the Athletic’s major trade board confirms, he’s available for the right price.
Despite having a solid 60-point season, the Minnesota Wild are hesitating to pay him second-line center money. Dubas, focused on bolstering the center and defense positions, could view Rossi as a perfect opportunity.
Then there’s defenseman K’Andre Miller—another intriguing possibility. Despite possessing impressive physical attributes and valuable experience, things haven’t clicked for Miller with the New York Rangers, leading to criticism and doubts within the organization.
The Forever Blueshirts podcast recently hosted Rangers beat writer Jim Cerny, who didn’t hold back on Miller’s shortcomings. Nevertheless, Miller’s potential makes him an enticing choice for the Penguins, especially with Rangers GM Chris Drury open to offers.
Rounding out the RFA targets is Logan Mailloux, a big right-handed defenseman from the Montreal Canadiens’ stockpile of blue line talents. Mailloux isn’t on the block due to performance issues—it’s simply a matter of a crowded roster.
With Penguins' own Erik Karlsson showing up on trade boards, the door is open for Mailloux. Pair him with a re-signed Conor Timmins, and the Penguins could add some serious defensive muscle.
Clearing the Decks: Salary Dumps
Salary dumps aren’t the stuff dreams are made of, but they are part of the game. Jean-Gabriel Pageau is one such candidate.
Since signing a hefty contract with the New York Islanders, he hasn’t quite hit his stride. With one year left on a deal that’s burdening the Islanders’ books, and new GM Mathieu Darche looking to shuffle the deck, Pittsburgh could offer Pageau a second chance—potentially filling their need for a third-line center with offensive upside.
Chris Kreider is another player getting lots of trade whispers. Although he squashed a potential move last year by invoking his no-trade clause, Kreider’s recent season performance hasn’t silenced the critics or curbed the Rangers' interest in moving him. Old tensions with former coach Sullivan when both were in New York certainly raise eyebrows, but Kreider's skills could address the Penguins' needs if things align.
In this offseason chess game, the Penguins are setting the stage for strategic maneuvers that could revitalize their roster and reshape their future. It's a delicate balance of opportunity and risk—but one where the right moves could cement their competitive edge in seasons to come.
