NHL trade rumors: Elliotte Friedman drops major update on Pittsburgh Penguins NHL trade deadline agenda post early season slump

NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman has provided a major update on the Pittsburgh Penguins' agenda ahead of the upcoming NHL trade deadline on March 7.

It comes on the heels of the Penguins' early season slump, which has seen them struggle to maintain a consistent performance.

According to Friedman's insights on the "32 Thoughts" podcast, the Penguins have made it clear that they are willing to trade a variety of assets as they aim to build a more sustainable and competitive roster for the future.

"Pittsburgh’s made it clear it has forwards, defencemen and goalies available. The Penguins are willing to use their cap space to take on contracts, as long as it gets what they really desire:young players, prospects and draft picks (in that order)." Friedman said.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' record of 17-17-8 has them sitting in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division, just outside the wild card spots. However, the team has shown signs of life, taking one point each in their last three games, despite falling short of victory.

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Pittsburgh Penguins likely to trade winger Rickard Rakell

According to reports from Josh Yohe of The Athletic, the team's general manager Kyle Dubas is open to trading winger Rickard Rakell to acquire more draft picks and prospects.

Yohe suggests that while the Penguins could trade Rakell now, it's more likely that a deal would happen in the summer.

"The Penguins could trade Rakell, of course. Teams do desperate things and make desperate offers when they can smell the Stanley Cup, so Dubas will be ready for all possibilities. From what team sources tell me, however, a Rakell trade would be far more likely in the summer.”Yohe said

The NHL’s salary cap is predicted to jump significantly next season, which would enable the Penguins to receive the best possible return for Rakell.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if Rakell is traded before his contract expires. That still seems somewhat likely, though hardly a given. But the demand for his services won’t be such that Dubas will receive an offer he can’t refuse. Yohe added.

Rakell has been a solid contributor for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year, with 33 points, 18 goals in 41 games. However, Rakell's eight-team no-trade list may pose a challenge to any possible deal.