Penguins Facing Trade Dilemma: Can Pittsburgh Actually Move These Three Struggling Veterans?

The Penguins have tough choices with their top unit entering the season. Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell thrived alongside Sidney Crosby last year, and Pittsburgh may sell high on those players.

But although the team would prefer to trade veteran Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari, and Danton Heinen, trading all three may be operationally impossible.

Pittsburgh arrives at camp with nearly 20 forwards fighting for ice and a need to get younger. That means Hayes, Acciari, and Heinen are in trouble.

Hayes, whom they acquired in a cap dump from St. Louis, is an excellent third-line forward but has a $3.57M cap hit. His injury and skating problems are issues, but his versatility and power-play usage give him a higher chance of sticking.

Acciari, on the other hand, adds toughness and leadership to a team that has not had much grit. He can play defense, center, and provide support to young players, but stands to lose ice time if prospects impress.

Heinen, who was involved in the Marcus Pettersson salary equalizer deal last season, has the worst possible scenario.

He can play anywhere in the lineup and be a penalty killer, but doesn't score, and can be sent down to the minors if they see someone doing better. The best case is that he's a depth scorer who might be traded at the deadline.

Lastly, Pittsburgh comes down to Rust and Rakell. If either can be picked up for futures, the veterans can plug reserve roles until the deadline. Otherwise, the Penguins simply ice their top 12 forwards and stash or waive the rest.

This roster is a result of Pittsburgh's strange reality: an organization talking rebuild but still icing the league's oldest team. The problem now is reconciling short-term competitiveness with long-term transformation.

Fans have one thing in mind: watching a team compete night in and night out, regardless of what internal issues are ongoing.