Skilled Predators Forward Linked to Penguins by Analysts

After missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight year, there may be an organizational shift happening in Pittsburgh, with the team starting to think about a future beyond Sidney Crosby.

The team have some bright young talents in Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen, but they'll need more than that to get their fanbase excited, and now, analysts have linked them to another intriguing young name.

According to FanSided, Luke Evangelista of the Nashville Predators could be an under-the-radar offer sheet target for Kyle Dubas, as the 23-year old is yet to find a consistent role in Nashville.

Despite that, he has posted 71 points over the last two years with 26 goals in that time, and with his RFA status upcoming this off-season, he could be the perfect target for an offer sheet from the Penguins.

The former second-round draft pick has shown immense potential, and while the Predators could look to match any offer sheet, FanSided have proposed that the Penguins offer him a two-year deal at $4.6 million AAV, one that would cost them just a second-round pick in return.

It's unclear whether or not FanSided imagine him playing alongside Crosby or in a middle-six role with the Penguins if they were to make this deal, but Evangelista has good size and the clear potential to be a star in the NHL, and if the Penguins want to land a piece of the future, this may be a quiet move to make that happen.