Could Three Penguins Veterans be on the Trade Block Heading Into the 2026 NHL Draft?
The NHL Draft is now just over three weeks away, on June 26th and 27th. Over the past two offseasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins have worked and finessed their way to a massive haul of draft picks, including 15 in the first three rounds of the next three drafts. The black and yellow have already shown that they’re not afraid to use this draft capital as trade bait, or vice versa. They acquired Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Danton Heinen, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick. Pittsburgh also acquired a 2029 second-round pick from the Edmonton Oilers when they traded Tristan Jarry. With many young, NHL-ready players on Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, combined with great play from their veterans, the team is shoved into a weird spot. President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas is aware that he cannot rely on the team's veterans to carry the team forward when young talent such as Ben Kindel, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, and Chinakhov have played well for Pittsburgh or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. The ‘Big Three’ of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are here to stay, especially after ‘Geno’ was just re-signed. However, what does the future in Pittsburgh look like for veterans such as Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson?
The Dubas Dilemma
Dubas has expressly stated that he wants to take a big step towards sustainable contention next season, and one way to do that would be to utilize the Penguins' already large draft pool and expand it. Whether this expanded draft pool would be used as a larger trade for a top player or simply to expand their young talent pool is up to Dubas and the Pens. Assuming a big trade is made, Pittsburgh would likely have to part ways with its 2026 first-round draft pick, and while they have a lot to work with in rounds two and three, forfeiting its earliest selection would be dangerous. However, if Pittsburgh decided to move on from Rust, Rakell, or Karlsson, they could likely get a huge haul in return. The Penguins shocked the NHL world by making the playoffs for the first time since 2022, yet they did so on the backs of the previously named veterans. A team that holds a lot of talent among its 20-year-old prospects was dominated by the 30-year-old veterans. Dubas knows, however, that youth is the way to go to sustain the Penguins' contention, and that the process of becoming a dominant NHL power involves that skew towards youth.
Facing the Reality of Age
Rust is 34 years old, coming off of back-to-back 65-point seasons, and has served as a temporary alternate Captain for the Penguins since 2024. He’s played all 12 professional seasons for the Pens, winning two Stanley Cups with them during that time. He’s been an important part of this Penguins core for as long as most can remember at this point, but his age is a big red flag. Age is also a red flag for Rakell and Karlsson, who are 33 and 36 years old, respectively. The Swedish forward has spent five years in the Steel City, emerging as one of the club's most consistent offensive contributors. He posted a career-best 70 points in 24-25, before recording 48 through 60 games this past season. Traded from Anaheim to Pittsburgh for three players and a second-round pick, one can assume that the return for trading him this offseason would be similar, and it would allow younger talent to step into that first-line position that he’s held. Karlsson is a unique choice for Pittsburgh to trade. On the one hand, he appears to be the most likely choice, as he recently turned 36, and his age has been evident in his defensive play, which has declined each year. On the other hand, the Pens' defensive struggles continued last season, with no one truly notable behind Letang and Karlsson, both of whom played poorly on defense. The former Norris Trophy winner continues to be one of hockey's most dangerous offensive defensemen, especially as a distributor. As a defenseman, he led the league in assists with 66 in 2015 and recorded 101 points in 2022, his last season with San Jose. In his three seasons with the Penguins, he has had 50+ points in each season, including 66 points through 75 games in 2025. He has been incredible for an up-and-coming Penguins team, but with the team trending towards youth and his defensive play faltering, it may be time to move on from him.
Trade Bait, or Building Blocks?
Pulling off a trade before the NHL draft would be extremely beneficial as well if Pittsburgh is able to land a second 2026 first-round pick. The Pens sit in a sort of cycle right now: they can use their experienced veterans as bargaining chips or as actual trade candidates to acquire draft capital or assets, then use what they acquire to make more moves for additional draft capital or assets. While Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson have been assets in the Steel City for years now, it may be time to use them as the trade bait they could be. It would be a big loss, as all three currently hold important positions for the Pens. Rust and Rakell flank Crosby on the first line, as Karlsson sits with Parker Wotherspoon on the team's first defensive pair. However, it may be a necessary loss and, as difficult as it will be, the most beneficial move for the improving Penguins.
