Penguins GM Declares Fire Sale in Trades, with One Prime Candidate for Oilers

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Liam McCormick
November 12, 2024 (2:54 PM)

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are falling down the standings yet again this season after missing the playoffs the last two years, and now they're ready to tear it down.

According to a recent report from Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports, General Manager Kyle Dubas has everyone available for trade except Sidney Crosby.

»A league source told me earlier this week that Kyle Dubas has made it known to other teams that "everyone is available, except 87."»
- Taylor Haase, DK Pittsburgh Sports

It's not surprising that Crosby won't be traded against his wishes after re-signing with the team this offseason. However, it would be shocking to see a core player like Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, or Erik Karlsson be traded - and now it's a possibility.

The Edmonton Oilers are heavily in the market for a defenceman this season, and will be considering all the options from Pittsburgh. The veterans Letang and Karlsson are enticing, but their salaries would be difficult to acquire and their best playing days are behind them.

However, the Oilers have previously been connected to Penguins defenceman Marcus Pettersson. The 28 year old left shot defenceman is an effective two-way defender with over 400 career NHL games. With a lower salary of only $4.025M, the Oilers could afford him.

Pettersson's career best year came just last season, where he put up decent offensive numbers and was a defensive stalwart. He only scored a career high of 30 points, but Pettersson had an impressive +28 rating on a terrible Penguins team.

Contract talks have reportedly stalled between Pettersson and the Penguins, and as a pending free agent on a rebuilding team, he will surely be dealt. If the Oilers believe one blueliner can play their off-side, Pettersson may be a very attractive option for Edmonton.