Patrik Laine Identified as Perfect Trade Fit for Penguins – Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are among the teams said to be kicking the tires on trade talks for Patrik Laine in Columbus. Nothing is official yet, but with Laine ready to talk to teams about his future, the Penguins are the team that makes the most sense.

In fact, one writer has Pittsburgh a good fit, making him five out of five in their star rating this week.

Laine to the Penguin Gets a Five Star Rating

While teams like the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle Kraken, and Buffalo Sabers were also included, Josh Wegman of The Score ranked Laine to the Penguins as a five-star fit. He wrote:

There may be no better place for Laine to rekindle his career than in Pittsburgh. Drew O'Connor — who posted a team-high 16 goals and 17 assists in 2023-24 — currently projects to be in the Penguins' top spot with Sidney Crosby. It's fun to imagine the chemistry that could exist between a long-time player like Crosby and a pure shooter like Laine.

He goes on to say that the Penguins' mysterious power play last season could use the help of a legitimate scorer and Laine's presence at the man after ranking 30th in power play percentage would certainly help their cause. His one time can give them a different and potentially dangerous look.

In particular, Wegman talks about the pairing skills Laine and Erik Karlsson have and how the two could be what is needed for Pittsburgh's power play to come together.

Can The Penguins Really Pull Off This Trade?

Looking at where the Penguins are, one could argue that they might consider a deal like this. The team wants to stay competitive, but they aren't exactly Stanley Cup contenders. Looking at signing Sidney Crosby, there is pressure to find players who can help keep the team in playoff shape for Laine.

Related: NHL Rumors: Laine, the Penguins, and the Reason for Marek's Sportsnet Exit

The Penguins have about $3.5 million in cap space and Wegman argues they could create more cap space by adding forward depth like Lars Eller ($2.45 million AAV) or Noel Acciari ($2 million) in trades. Then, when he pointed to Columbus' rumored willingness to keep the salary in the deal, “it's the kind of big hockey president and GM Kyle Dubas needs to do if he wants to give his aging core one last chance to run.” .”

The odds of trading Laine to the Penguins

The Penguins are not young and Laine is still 26 years old. That doesn't mean 26 is old in NHL terms, but Laine has been through a lot. He has had problems with the teams he has been a part of, he recently came out of the NHL's Player Assistance Program and his career has had several ups and downs. There is undoubtedly more mileage in his step than most 26-year-olds. Maybe this isn't the type of player the Penguins should be looking to add, especially given their history of adding veterans and the lack of chemistry.

There is also the fact that Laine's production has been inconsistent. It is unknown if he will be the same scorer he once was, even in a top six that includes Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. If the Penguins give up a lot to get Laine and there isn't much in the way of salary cap space, the Penguins have a chance to get two more seasons of his remaining contract value.

Obviously, this trade idea has merit. Is it a slam dunk? No. It may not even be the five-star equivalent that Wegman suggests.