5 Players the Pittsburgh Penguins Should Trade Right Now

By Jeff Henning

5 Players the Pittsburgh Penguins Should Trade Right Now

Evgeni Malkin — The Pittsburgh Penguins are a perennial Stanley Cup contender. They have already reached the pinnacle of the sport in 2009 when they won their franchise's third Stanley Cup. Unfortunately, five years of playoff disappointments bring the Penguins to a crossroads in their franchise. Perhaps a big shakeup in their roster is what's needed. Here are five players the Pens should consider dealing.

5. Pascal Dupuis

Pascal Dupuis

5. Pascal Dupuis

Pascal Dupuis — Dupuis is fan favorite and strong locker room presence, but unfortunately “Super Duper” has run into a laundry list of injuries. These injuries have forced him to miss a lot of time and thus valuable on-ice chemistry. It’s hard to believe that Dupuis came to Pittsburgh via Atlanta with Marian Hossa. If the Penguins want to contend for a Stanley Cup, they need all the healthy bodies they can find.

4. David Perron

David Perron

4. David Perron

David Perron — I’m never against trading a first-round pick if it means acquiring a top-tier player on the other end of the purposed deal. What I am against is trading a first-round pick for a player who might only be worth a second-round pick at best. In 2013, Perron was traded from the Blues to the Oilers for a second and Magnus Paajarvi. Somehow, as he faltered in Edmonton, Pittsburgh brass felt he was worth of a first-rounder. Head-scratcher.

3. Beau Bennett

Beau Bennett

3. Beau Bennett

Beau Bennett — I looked for a quality photo of Beau Bennett playing hockey, but for some reason I could only find good photos of him in warm-ups and on the injury list. Bennett, who possesses an endless amount of potential, has only managed to appear in 96 games over a three-season span. Analysts are always claiming the Penguins have no depth, but they must never look at their injury report.

2. Rob Scuderi

Rob Scuderi

2. Rob Scuderi

Rob Scuderi — Once known as “The Piece,” Rob Scuderi has turned more into the “feces.” Although he sports an impressive plus-8, Scuderi’s 3.37 AAV is just something the Penguins can’t afford. For a team that’s always up against the salary cap, every dollar matters. Scuderi was a great player for the Pens and Kings, but at this point in his career, his veteran presence just isn’t worth the cap hit he carries.

1. Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin

1. Evgeni Malkin

Evgeni Malkin — Time to stir the pot. Evgeni Malkin is a bona fide superstar in this league with a limitless amount of skill. However, there have always been rumors around the Steel City that Malkin’s true dream is to be the captain of an NHL team. The Penguins have already won a Stanley Cup with Geno, but they haven’t been back to the finals since 2009. Perhaps the Pens are in need of a new direction.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

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