The Pittsburgh Penguins were not looking too good when the season first began. However, they are now sitting pretty in the Metropolitan. General Manager Ron Hextall will not be looking to make significant changes to the lines, but a few areas need a little attention. With the defense looking reasonably solid, it wouldn’t hurt to add a little depth just in case. Also, they were doubtful about the goaltending situation at one point, but Tristan Jarry is looking good, and his backup Casey DeSmith has done a decent job. Hextall may be looking to bolster the offensive side of the puck, looking for a few wingers that might fit in somewhere in the bottom three lines. It’s possible Hextall may not do much at all if he is confident with how the team is performing. Fans will have to wait and see.
Make sure to check out all of our other NHL Trade Deadline Previews.
Current Status
Current Record: 34-14-9
Division Standings: Second in the Metropolitan
Buyers or Sellers: Buyers
Artturi Lehkonen
On a Montreal Canadiens team that has only recently played better, Lehkonen could be a player Pittsburgh could use. He comes with a cap of $2.3 million and can play both left and right winger positions. For a team like Pittsburgh, he would be able to fit in on any line, which is what they are needing. Lehkonen is a defensive-minded forward, and for a team like Pittsburgh, his playoff experience would come in handy. Hextall’s only concern with getting Lehkonen might be what Montreal would want in return.
Jared McCann
Bring him back? McCann has 21 goals and 12 assists in 49 games this season. Given that he is on a team that is last in their division, he might be a more formidable player on a better team. The Penguins are familiar with him and understand what he could bring to the table. However, the issue might be getting the Seattle Kraken to let him go. General manager Ron Francis is looking to re-sign him, so Pittsburgh might have to give up something they may not want to.
Zach Parise
Coming in with a cap hit of $750,000, Parise might be a player the Penguins should look at. While the 37-year-old player may appear to be a strange choice, he does have some appeal. Parise would be good in bolstering Pittsburgh’s bottom six, and though his stats with the New York Islanders aren’t great, his consistency in playing is the key. He has scored 37 goals across 105 playoff games in his career, which would come in handy for a playoff-bound team like the Penguins.
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