Penguins Looking to Trade ‘Worst Free Agent Signing’ in Team History

The Pittsburgh Penguins are likely to enter a rebuild, and one defenseman could be up for grabs.

The Penguins have missed the playoffs in three straight years, and Pittsburgh’s core is only getting older. With that, the Penguins could be aggressive in the trade front in dealing some NHL players for draft picks and young players.

NHL insider Josh Yohe of The Athletic named Ryan Graves a trade candidate as he called the defenseman the worst free agent signing in franchise history.

“I imagine the Penguins could see a slightly better version of Graves now that he’s playing under a new coaching staff. Sometimes new eyeballs can help a struggling player,” Yohe wrote. “That said, expectations will be disturbingly low. He’s arguably the worst free agent signing in franchise history and Dubas would be more than willing to trade him if there were any takers. There surely are not.”

Graves signed a six-year, $27 million deal with the Penguins in 2023 after playing with the New Jersey Devils. Graves was supposed to be a top-pairing defenseman for the Penguins, but he has struggled mightily.In his first two years with the Penguins, Graves has skated in 131 games, recording just 4 goals and 14 assists for 18 points. He also has struggled defensively as he’s a -5 and hasn’t been a top-pairing defenseman as expected.

Penguins GM Looking to Upgrade Defense

Pittsburgh’s blue line has been an issue, and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is looking to make some changes to it.

Yohe expects Dubas not to make any splashy moves this offseason, but will look to make changes to their blue line.

“Dubas has publicly stated that he isn’t going to be particularly aggressive on July 1,” Yohe wrote. “Team sources told me that this July 1 could look similar to last year, when Dubas signed veterans such as Beauvillier and Matt Grzelcyk to one-year contracts.

“I’d expect Dubas to enhance his blue line and, in particular, the left side. As things stand, the Penguins have these players under contract on the left side of their defense: Ryan Graves, Ryan Shea, Owen Pickering and Vladislav Kolyachonok,” Yohe added. “Graves has been a colossal disaster, and Kolyachonok, though not without talent, didn’t particularly impress the coaching staff last season.”

The Penguins have nearly $24 million in cap space this offseason.

Penguins GM Looking At Trades Rather Than Free Agency

With Pittsburgh in limbo in terms of a rebuild or being competitive, Dubas plans to be more active in the trade market.

Dubas says he won’t be too active in free agency, as he believes the Penguins need to subtract as well as add to their roster.

“I would say that, probably with the UFA stuff (the July 1 signing period), we’re probably not (going to be aggressive) unless there’s someone young enough who maybe deserves a little bit more term,” Dubas said.

As for who could potentially be traded, Dubas says it’s the usual names that came up before the deadline.

“Trade, (then) sign guys for longer range (after they’ve been acquired). UFA isn’t a good place to find good value,” Dubas concluded.