Opinion: What the Pittsburgh Penguins need to do before Friday's trade deadline

With the NHL Trade Deadline just days away, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the perfect spot to sell heavily.

All of these moves will not happen, but here are some likely options that the Penguins could explore before Friday at 3 PM.

Trade Rickard Rakell, Forward:

Rakell is having one of the best seasons of his career with the Penguins and teams are going to have to pay up to acquire his talents.

The Penguins are in no spot to contend for a playoff spot and you could potentially get a first round pick and lots more for Rakell’s talents.

He has 28 goals and 24 assists in 62 games this season which are outstanding numbers.

A team that is in the playoff race could use his offensive power to help propel them to a Stanley Cup race.

Trade Bryan Rust, Forward:

Bryan Rust has been a staple in Pittsburgh since his rookie season back in 2015-16.

Rust has been very consistent throughout the course of his tenure with the Penguins, tallying 20 goals in each of his last six seasons.

Rust’s no-movement clause will make it hard to trade him, but if it is indeed time to rebuild, I think Dubas will be on the phone listening to offers.

Trade Anthony Beauvillier, Forward:

Last season Beauvillier scored only five goals while he played for three different teams on the year (Canucks, Blackhawks, Predators).

He joined the Penguins this year and has put up 13 goals with 20 points. He’s missed one game this entire season to go along with his high producing numbers.

Beauvillier reminds me of Teddy Blueger in terms of he does the right things and should get rewarded for it.

Any team that remains in contention including the top teams in the NHL would love to have a player like Beauvilier.

Trade Matt Grzelcyk, Defenceman:

Defensemen are a hot commodity in the NHL these days.

After a slow start to the season, Matt Grzelcyk has been very solid on the back end and has proven he is capable of running a power play.

Grzelcyk’s contract expires after this season and is on the wrong side of 30.

The Penguins will move him as teams have inquired on his availability.

Trade Noel Acciari, Forward:

This is the type of player that GM’s would have in their lineup come playoff time.

Acciari isn’t the fastest and most flashy guy, but he contributes with his physicality and great penalty killing ability.

Teams who are looking for rugged fourth-line bruisers would love to have this guy in the locker room.

Expect Acciari to be on his way out of Pittsburgh before Friday’s deadline.

Trade Erik Karlsson, Defenseman:

I don’t even know if you can get value for him at this point but if a team is willing to give up some assets and retain a portion of his salary, then go for it.

Karlsson can still be an offensive threat, but his defense is possibly the worst in the entire league.

He has 45 points in 63 games, but since he is a -21 overall on the ice both of those aspects cancel each other out.

Karlsson and his linemate Kris Letang are two players who seem to have lost some of their fire on the defensive end.

Others Who Could be Moved:

Kevin Hayes, Forward

Blake Lizotte, Forward

Cody Glass, Forward

Austin Moran is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acm6506@psu.edu.

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at gar5448@psu.edu.