It has been rumored that the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to trade up in the 2025 NHL Draft.
And, according to a new report, they could possibly have a dance partner.
On Monday during the DFO Rundown Podcast, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff (DFO) reported that the Chicago Blackhawks's 3rd overall pick in this year's draft is in play. Seravalli also mentioned that Chicago would be looking for a "difference-maker" in return.
Chicago - like many other teams in the league - is at a bit of a crossroads in terms of their rebuild and their competitive window. There were reports last week that the Penguins would be the only "true sellers" on the market, and teams like the Blackhawks and several others are looking to take the next steps in their competitive process.
When taking all of this information and putting it together - adding in that GM/POHO Kyle Dubas and the Penguins are apparently enamored with right wing Porter Martone, who many expect to be selected in the top-five - a trade between the Blackhawks and Penguins might make a large degree of sense.
Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Porter MartoneWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them.
The Blackhawks have enough young talent on their roster at this point wth the likes of Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, and Ilya Mikheyev that they could, conceivably, be looking to improve their NHL roster. Luckily, the Penguins have several tradeable assets on their roster - including wingers Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and defenseman Erik Karlsson.
Karlsson's full no-movement clause makes it unlikely that he would approve a move to Chicago, but the other two would upgrade a forward unit for the Hawks that is probably in need of some veteran leadership and experience as well.
Report: Penguins Only 'True Sellers' On NHL MarketWith the NHL Draft and free agency approaching fast, the NHL trade market is beginning to come into focus.
Rust and Rakell both happen to be coming off career seasons and each have three affordable years left on their current contracts (at $5.175 million and $5 million, respectively). Rust put up 31 goals and 65 points in just 71 games, while Rakell notched 35 goals and 70 points in 81 games.
If the Penguins and Blackhawks were to agree to terms on a deal involving their third overall pick, Martone or James Hagens would, seemingly, be the obvious candidates for draft selections. Martone recorded 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games for the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL, where he was teammates with Penguins' defensive prospect Finn Harding.
Hagens - a two-way center threat - had 11 goals and 37 points in 37 games to go along with a plus-21 rating for Boston College last season.
Bryan Rust Is In High Demand. But Is Trading Him The Right Call?It is sure to be an active, interesting offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Feature image credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images