Kyle Dubas Likely Planning to Weaponize His True Greatest Trade Asset in the Coming Weeks

The Penguins remain the focal point of the trade market this offseason, with Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust forwards drawing an awful lot of attention.

Both have three years remaining on their contracts, Rickard Rakell at a $5 million cap hit with an eight-team no-trade clause, and Bryan Rust at $5.125 million with no trade protection.

Rakell and Rust combined for a total of 135 points in their previous season and are still attractive targets to teams seeking proven top-six wingers.

The cost of Rakell is especially high, according to several insiders, while Rust is also generating a lot of interest. Although Rakell allegedly desires to stay in Pittsburgh, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is keeping all avenues open.

The Penguins are also interested in trading other players like Noel Acciari, Danton Heinen, Blake Lizotte, Erik Karlsson, and Ryan Graves.

Kyle Dubas, by officially initiating a rebuild during the start of this offseason, has placed himself in an excellent position with over $15.8 million of salary cap space available, one of the biggest in the NHL.

That cap space can be Dubas' friend in the best sense of the word as the offseason progresses.

With the flexibility to absorb contracts or assist in more complex trades, Pittsburgh is poised to play both seller and cap-dumping suitor for cash-strapped clubs that are looking for activity.

Whether Dubas chooses to utilize that room to soak up contracts in exchange for futures or to reshuffle the Penguins' lineup, he's dealing with a good hand in what is shaping up to be a chaotic summer.