Penguins' Dream Trade Target Surfaces as Pressure Mounts on Maple Leafs to Make a Move

The Pittsburgh Penguins are facing challenges to try and maximize the final few years of the careers of franchise icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kristopher Letang.

General manager Kyle Dubas has already made a major change in leadership for the franchise, parting ways with head coach Mike Sullivan; Pittsburgh is now one of several clubs looking for a new bench boss.

In the meantime, one notable NHL analyst is urging the Penguins to take advantage of a delicate financial situation involving Dubas' former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

ESPN's John Buccigross is openly expressing his wish to see the Penguins trade for Maple Leafs forward William Nylander, who recently was extended by the club to a lengthy 8-year, $92 million deal.

The Maple Leafs have to re-sign forward Mitch Marner during the summer or risk losing him on the free-agent market for nothing. Buccigross believes that Marner should be Toronto's priority, not Nylander, despite the latter already being under contract.

An addition of Nylander wouldn't come cheap for Pittsburgh, but would also give them a top-10 winger to help the Penguins' Core 3 of players to make one last run at a title before they retire.