A look at the Penguins' roster as the trade deadline approaches

The NHL’s trade deadline is Friday.

Here is a minimally educated guess at which members of the Penguins’ current NHL roster could be traded.

All contract information is from Cap Friendly.

Probably won’t be traded

Noel Acciari, center: Acciari has two years remaining on a contract with a salary cap hit of $2 million (and a no-trade clause for which he can submit a list of eight teams to which he would not accept a trade). The market for fourth-line centers with multiple years remaining on their contract and minimal production is limited.

Emil Bemstrom, right winger: Acquired via trade Feb. 22, Bemstrom is still getting used to his new surroundings and is doubtful to be moved again so quickly.

Jeff Carter, center: Carter is in the final year of a contract with a no-movement clause. Even if he was willing to waive that clause, Carter is unlikely to draw much attention as a trade target given his minimal production and $3.125 million salary cap hit.

Sidney Crosby, center: With a no-movement clause, Crosby is unlikely to agree to any kind of transaction given his lack of enthusiasm for change.

Ryan Graves, defenseman: With five years remaining on a massive contract with a modified no-trade clause (he can submit a list of 12 teams to which he would not accept a trade), Graves isn’t likely to attract much attention as a trade target given his mostly underwhelming play this season.

Jansen Harkins, left winger: A waiver claim in the preseason, Harkins has cemented a role on the fourth line with Acciari and Carter. Coaches have grown to trust Harkins, a pending unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Erik Karlsson, defenseman: Just given the massive salary cap hit the Penguins carry on his contract of $10 million, Karlsson would be difficult to trade just because other teams would have difficulty taking him on. Additionally, Karlsson has a no-movement clause and would need to waive it for any transaction.

Tristan Jarry, goaltender: Enjoying a strong rebound season in 2023-24, Jarry has been one of the main reasons for the minimal success the Penguins have enjoyed. Questions remain about his ability to lead in the playoffs, but with a no-trade clause (he can submit a list of 12 teams to which he would not accept a trade), Penguins management made a long-term commitment to him when he was re-signed in July of 2023.

Kris Letang, defensemen: With a no-movement clause, Letang is unlikely to waive it given his level of comfort with the organization.

John Ludvig, defenseman: A waiver claim in October, Ludvig has found his footing as a bottom-pairing defenseman. As one of the few sources of physical play for the team, management values him. And with one year remaining on a contract at a league-minimum salary cap hit of $775,000, the team has contract control over the 23-year-old as a pending restricted free agent in 2025.

Evgeni Malkin, center: Malkin also has a no-movement clause. Given his lack of production, it’s difficult to envision there being a strong market for a 37-year-old with two years remaining on his contract with a salary cap hit of $6.1 million.

Matt Nieto, left winger: Currently on long-term injured reserve because of a right knee injury, Nieto, 31, isn’t likely to attract much attention. He has one year remaining on a contract with a salary cap hit of $900,000.

Drew O’Connor, left winger: At 25, O’Connor is one of the younger players on a roster full of 30-somethings. With president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas decreeing a need to make the team younger, O’Connor figures to be part of that pursuit. He has one year remaining on his contract with a salary cap hit of $925,000.

Jesse Puljujarvi, right winger: Something of an experiment when he initially was brought in on a tryout in December, Puljujarvi is still working his way back from major hip surgery. The Penguins signed him to a two-year contract to allow him leeway to work his way back into shape over the remainder of this season.

Valtteri Puustinen, right winger: Much like O’Connor, the 24-year-old Puustinen can help the Penguins become a younger roster. Having teased with his skill this season, Puustinen is a pending restricted free agent this upcoming offseason.

Rickard Rakell, right winger: Rakell has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of eight teams to which he would not accept a trade. After a strong 2022-23 season, Rakell largely has underachieved in 2023-24. The market for a 30-year-old who is a streaky scorer and has four years remaining on his contract is likely slim.

Bryan Rust, right winger: Currently on injured reserve, Rust has four years remaining on a contract with a no-movement clause. He is unlikely to agree to any transaction.

Could be traded

Jonathan Gruden, left winger: A mid-level prospect, Gruden routinely has been one of the better players with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in recent years but rarely has done enough to earn regular recalls to the NHL level unless injuries dictate. There isn’t a strong market for him, but he is expendable.

Jake Guentzel, left winger: Even though currentlyon long-term injured reserve, Guentzel is one of the leading names on the free agent market. In the final year of a contract with a salary cap hit of $6 million, Guentzel could attract plenty of offers. He has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of 12 teams to which he would not accept a trade.

P.O Joseph, defenseman: A first-round pick (No. 23 overall) of the Arizona Coyotes, Joseph just never quite has found a steady role at the NHL level with the Penguins. A change of scenery could do him plenty of good. And given his pedigree, he still could attract suitors.

Alex Nedeljkovic, goaltender: A reclamation project as a free agent signing this past offseason, Nedeljkovic has found a course correction for his career. Signed to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million, Nedleljkovic easily could be moved to another team seeking to shore up its goaltending depth for a playoff push.

Marcus Pettersson, defenseman: Pettersson has been one of the Penguins’ more consistent and reliable defensemen in recent seasons, particularly 2023-24. With one season remaining on a contract with a modified no-trade clause (he can submit a list of eight teams to which he would not accept a trade), the 27-year-old defenseman could attract several suitors.

Matthew Phillips, right winger: A waiver claim in February, Phillips appeared in three games and did not produce any points before becoming a regular healthy scratch. A pending restricted free agent this offseason, Phillips very well could be waived again before he is ever traded.

Chad Ruhwedel, defenseman: In the final year of a contract with a low salary cap hit of $800,000, Ruhwedel very well could benefit a playoff-caliber team needing a bottom-pairing defenseman or a reserve.

Reilly Smith, left winger: Smith has a no-trade clause that allows him to submit a list of 10 teams to which he would not accept a trade. Any hopes Smith would fill the void left by Jason Zucker as the left winger on the second line largely have gone unfulfilled. Dissolving this unsatisfying marriage could benefit both parties.