Young Penguins Forward Emerging as Potential Trade Target Ahead of New Season
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Per Penguins analyst Michael DeRosa, one trade candidate aside from Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell is forward Blake Lizotte, who could draw interest.
Most of the attention around potential moves that the Pittsburgh Penguins could make surround Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, and Erik Karlsson.
However, one Penguins analyst believes that another forward could soon be in the mix to be moved by GM Kyle Dubas.
Per Michael DeRosa of The Hockey News, Blake Lizotte could generate interest given his pending UFA status and AAV (average annual value) of $1.85 million.
When looking at the Penguins' roster, one player who has the potential to generate interest around the league is forward Blake Lizotte.
Lizotte is certainly a player to keep an eye on moving forward. The 27-year-old center is entering the final season of his contract and is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). With this, he could be a player who the Penguins make available if they do not view him as a long-term part of their plans. When noting that he has an affordable $1.85 million cap hit, there would likely be some suitors out there for him if he is shopped.
Lizotte is certainly a player to keep an eye on moving forward. The 27-year-old center is entering the final season of his contract and is a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA). With this, he could be a player who the Penguins make available if they do not view him as a long-term part of their plans. When noting that he has an affordable $1.85 million cap hit, there would likely be some suitors out there for him if he is shopped.
The Penguins, regardless if they trade any of the aforementioned players, will start Training Camp next month.
The Penguins are heavily involved in trade rumors
The prevailing thought around the Penguins is that general manager Kyle Dubas wants the club to get younger and would be better served trading players like Rust and Rakell along with Karlsson.
The careers of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are winding down, and the Penguins could try to strategize to put themselves in the best position to land a high selection in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, perhaps even to take young phenom forward and projected 1st overall pick Gavin McKenna.
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