Ivan Barbashev to Pittsburgh? 3 trade ideas that could make it happen

Ivan Barbashev is almost guaranteed to be on the move next week before the NHL trade deadline. WIth the St. Louis Blues selling off every piece that isn’t tied down to the floor, they could look to move their aging, yet still effective winger, to a contender to maximize their assets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a rough go of it since after the All-Star Break, and have dropped out of the playoff picture. In their last home game, Pens fans were chanting to fire GM Ron Hextall.

Hextall needs to make a move to change the Penguins' fortunes, and quickly. Ivan Barbashev could be the perfect piece.

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Three trades that could send Ivan Barbashev to Pittsburgh Penguins

Here are the three options:

Trade Option 1

Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire:

Ivan Barbashev

St. Louis Blues Acquire:

Josh Archibald

Colin Swoyer

2023 3rd Round Pick (From NJD)

This is the simplest option, as both teams would get exactly what they want in a Barbashev deal. The Penguins would get the talented Blues winger and the Blues an expiring contract for cap reasons in Josh Archibald, a prospect and a pick.

Not too shabby of a return for an expiring talent like Barbashev. The Penguins would probably elect not to give up both the pick and the prospect.

Trade Option 2

Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire:

Ivan Barbashev

Nick Leddy

St. Louis Blues Acquire:

Jan Rutta

Danton Heinen

Drew O’Connor

Valtteri Puustinen

2023 2nd Round Pick

The Penguins defense has been flailing lately, and Ron Hextall may be desperate to upgrade at that position.

Nick Leddy would be a perfect addition to strengthen the Pens blue line to get Pittsburgh back in playoff contention. They may have to pay a bit more, as Leddy is signed for a few seasons.

Adding Nick Leddy takes the price and balloons it. The Penguins might have to give up Rutta in a trade for a defenseman, as his contract is the only one expiring this season. Adding O’Connor and Puustinen would be big prospects for the Blues system.

Trade Option 3

Pittsburgh Penguins Acquire:

Ivan Barbashev (50% Cap Retained)

Jordan Binnington

St. Louis Blues Acquire:

Tristan Jarry

Jan Rutta

Drew O’Connor

2023 2nd Round Pick

2024 4th Round Pick

(50% Cap Retained)

The Penguins could fix their goaltending problem in one trade. Binnington is signed for five more seasons, and this trade would give the Pens their guaranteed franchise goalie.

They might have to give up a steeper price. If the Pens don’t want to give up half their team to keep the cap space open, the Blues could keep half of Barbashev’s contract to save the Pens over a million dollars.