Three Major Trades that Could Help the Penguins Go Deep into the Playoffs

Trade Speculations have been circulating around the Pittsburgh Penguins daily. The problem they have in addition to cap space is prospects or draft picks to give up as they hope to do something to help them get into a playoff run.

The Penguins are also a team with players that are capable to get hot and carry the team. This season they are also armed with a general manager in Kyle Dubas who likes to make moves and some big-time deals.

So, what types of options could the Penguins have? Here are three scenarios that could sound appealing or even far-fetched to some. But as we remember the deal for Jarome Iginla back in 2013 (or maybe try to forget) the Penguins are not opposed to some jaw dropping moves.

Chris Tanev Comes to Pittsburgh to Give the Penguins Help on the Blue Line

Tanev would not be the first choice, but he would complement Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson as a solid left-handed defenseman. The Penguins could give up a pair of picks like 2024 2nd rounder and 2025 3rd rounder for the rights to Tanev, but they would need some cap space. So, in this scenario, the Penguins could trade 34-year-old Lars Eller who's carrying a $2.45 million price tag this year. His strong veteran presence could be a key factor in any deals for teams that may need that direction.

Vladimir Tarasenko Bringing Some Scoring Help to the Bottom Six

Ottawa will be selling this year, after their big acquisitions failed them last season. So someone like Tarasenko (32) can still play and would thrive on the Penguins bottom six. It is doubtful anyone who offer first round picks for him, so a couple of second rounders in the 2024 and then 2026 drafts might work in the Penguins favor.

But with his $5 million hit, Dubas would have to do some major moving to get him. The Senators would have to retain some of his salary (25%) and trade someone who Tarasenko would be replacing, oh hi Lars Eller. So work would be needed for this to really happen, but Tarasenko could really do well on the team.

Jakob Chychrun Would be the Ideal Blue Liner for a Deep Playoff Run

Let's stay with the Senators for our last trade. And yes, Lar Eller is involved again so if you are a big Eller fan, you can skip this one. Realistically this could happen. And maybe Eller with three picks (two second rounders in 2024 and 2026 and a third in 2025) seems like a low-price tag for Chychrun. Remember, this was the guy who was supposed to catapult the Sens deep into the playoffs last year, and this year.

He has been effective and healthy this year scoring 28 points in 47 games. But he also gets into the lane to block shots, 81 so far, and at just 25 years old can have a long career with Pittsburgh.

Ottawa will be looking for a first round pick at least for Chychrun, but with being injury prone, and his lack of finish to get into the playoffs, he might be devalued slightly in Ottawa's eyes.

The Senators would then have the cap space to take on Lars Eller as well as 25% of Chychrun to be able to make this happen on the Pens side.

One thing is for sure, it is fun to try to speculate on what the Penguins may do, but we will need to wait and see, on what will happen within the next few weeks before the deadline.

As Read On: Pens Labyrinth - 3 major trade acquisitions the Pittsburgh Penguins could pull off for a deep playoff run