Pittsburgh Penguins trade rumors: Will Jeff Petry be on the move?

Rumor has it that the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to shake up their roster and make some changes to salvage their playoff hopes this season. One of the players reportedly on the trade block is defenseman Jeff Petry, who the Penguins acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the offseason.

Petry had a disappointing season in Montreal last year, finishing with just six goals and 27 points in 68 games. However, he has previously scored at least 10 goals and 40 points in four consecutive seasons. This season, he has three goals and 19 points in 40 games for the Penguins.

While there have been conflicting reports on whether or not Petry is available for a trade, the Penguins are said to be looking to clear up some cap space and acquire some new faces.

Petry is under contract for two more seasons at $6.25 million AAV and has a 15-team no-trade clause. The Penguins may need to eat some of his salary to move him.

The Penguins made some defensive moves in the offseason, acquiring Petry and Ty Smith in separate trades while sending Michael Matheson and John Marino to Montreal and the New Jersey Devils. However, these trades have not worked out for Pittsburgh, and they are looking to make changes again.

It may be difficult for the Pittsburgh Penguins to find a trade partner for Petry, as most non-playoff contenders do not have the cap space to take on his contract. Nevertheless, Petry could still be a valuable addition as a third or fourth defenceman for many teams needing defensive depth.

Pittsburgh Penguins' 2022-23 season so far

The Pittsburgh Penguins are fifth in the Metropolitan Division and third in the Eastern Conference Wild Card standings with 27 wins, 20 losses, and nine overtime losses. They have earned 63 points in 56 games played so far in the 2022-23 NHL season.

The team is led by captain Sidney Crosby, who has 51 points (18 goals, 33 assists) in 43 games. Evgeni Malkin has contributed 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) in 38 games played, while Kris Letang has 36 points (7 goals, 29 assists) in 47 games.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have faced some struggles this season, with injuries to key players and inconsistent performances. However, they have shown resilience and determination in their recent games, winning four out of their last five matches.

As the season progresses, the Pittsburgh Penguins will hope to secure their position in the playoff race and make a strong push toward the Stanley Cup.