The Pittsburgh Penguins are open for business.
The struggling Penguins are off to a disappointing start to the season and it sounds like there’s a major shakeup brewing. Multiple reports have surfaced recently stating Penguins president and GM Kyle Dubas are actively involved in trade talks. First, it was Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports, who reported on Nov.12 “a league source told me earlier this week that Kyle Dubas has made it known to other teams that – ‘everyone is available, except 87’.” Haase’s report came the same day Dubas finalized a minor trade, sending veteran forward Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals for two draft picks.
Daily Faceoff’s hockey insider Frank Seravalli chimed in the very next day via Daily Faceoff LIVE, confirming the Penguins’ willingness to construct a trade, however, was a touch skeptical on just how much ‘shaking up’ Dubas will be able to manufacture. “I did see the reporting and I did speak to some GMs who mentioned that, yes, the Penguins are open for business,” explained Seravalli on Nov.13.
“I guess I would ask: in what way? How big are we talking here? I look at the Penguins roster and I see, ‘Okay, Sidney Crosby is untouchable,’ – but then there’s Kris Letang, Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin … a lot of these guys have no-move clauses, and others are untradeable.”
So, how can Leafs’ GM Brad Treliving get involved? Has enough time passed where Dubas would be open to doing anything in his day-to-day responsibilities that could potentially benefit the Maple Leafs? Likely not, and while a trade between the two franchises seems like a long shot at this point, let’s dive into if there are even any Penguins who could make sense for Treliving in Toronto.
Former Leaf Noel Acciari is certainly a trade candidate in the Penguins’ fire sale, but could he make an impact among Toronto’s bottom six? With Auston Matthews out right now and everyone moved up a spot in the lineup, the Leafs basically have two fourth lines, and even though Pontus Holmberg and David Kampf are struggling, is Acciari that much of an upgrade to be open to moving an asset or two to acquire him, while also eating a $2-million AAV this season and next?
Acciari’s aggressive style of play fits in a Craig Berube bottom six, however, with just five points in 18 games, under 47% in the faceoff circle, and a serious lack of speed, Acciari ain’t it. What about Drew O’Connor? The 26-year-old forward is someone who has shown flashes of brilliance and is coming off scoring 16 goals in 79 games last season. Like many Penguins this year, O’Connor has gotten off to a slow start with just three goals in 18 games. He’s much more affordable than Acciari, with an expiring cap hit of just $925,000. With good size at 6-foot-4, above-average speed, penalty-killing abilities and some versatility to mesh throughout Craig Berube’s lineup, he’s one Penguin who could give the Leafs’ bottom six a minor shake-up.
We know Dubas loves to surround himself with people he’s familiar with, so there’s likely a long list of players throughout the Maple Leafs’ organization who he’d consider trading for. Nick Robertson and his one point in 15 games could use a change of scenery. Or, the mentioned Holmberg, who hasn’t been able to carve out a role in Berube’s lineup, despite playing a career-high 12:29 per game.
Dubas would probably love to get his hands on defenseman Conor Timmins, but Timmins has been a bright spot so far this year, and with the unpredictability of Jani Hakanpaa’s injury situation, isn’t likely available in any Treliving trade conversations. Matt Murray back to Pittsburgh? Their fan base would lose their minds for all the wrong reasons.
At the end of the day, the stars don’t align here. The Penguins won’t appeal to Treliving and the Maple Leafs, with Toronto needing to eventually add a third-line center before March’s trade deadline. O’Connor is intriguing, but don’t the Leafs have enough inconsistent bottom-six wingers right now?
The Penguins may be open for business but don’t expect to see Treliving getting involved.
