It’s the trade season guys and as the March 7 NHL trade deadline fastens for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They indicate that they are ready to make some major moves. Well, with $54 million worth of contracts potentially available for trade, they’re looking to shake things up while staying alert for a playoff spot. The Penguins are balancing their desire to win as they eye their next with focus. Speaking of which, the first few weeks will be crucial in determining how they retool their roster and set themselves up for long-term success.

Everyone knows around the league that the Penguins aren’t afraid to make bold moves, and GM Kyle Dubas has the utmost flexibility to do exactly that. With a combination of expiring contracts, players with high salary hits, and some big names potentially on the move, Pittsburgh seems to have a busy deadline ahead. $54 million in available contracts could help transform the roster, but the real question is: who’s going and who’s staying?

The $54 million question–Who’s available for trade?

According to sources, nearly everyone on the current Penguins roster is up for trade—except for Crosby, Malkin, Rust, Tomasino, and Pickering. That leaves a massive chunk of $54 million in contracts that could be moved before the trade deadline. This list includes the big players as well, like Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. They both have high AAVs and long-term contracts, quite impressive. Despite Karlsson’s $10 million AAV, the Penguins are reportedly willing to retain some of this salary to help in a successful trade, possibly the one that could make him even more appealing to teams looking to make a playoff push.

Letang, however, is in a somewhat more difficult position. Pittsburgh is still investigating his possible exit, even though dealing with him is more challenging because of his no-movement clause and $6.1 million AAV.

There may be some interest in other players with contract expirations, such as Matt Grzelcyk and Marcus Pettersson. All these players total the $54 million in contracts, crazy! The Penguins are finally ready to let go. This could result in a revamp of the squad that opens up a door of possibilities for success.

With $54 million in contracts on the table, the Penguins are in a prime position to make some serious roster changes. Whether they’re trying to add a key player for the playoffs or clear space for the future, this flexibility could be the key to their next steps.

Pittsburgh’s financial flexibility: What’s coming up next?

As of now, Pittsburgh has $5.3 million in cap space, but that number is expected to increase to $11 million, with the trade deadline nearing. Also, granting them the flexibility to cook needed moves, whether that means absorbing salary from other teams or taking back contracts in a trade. The $54 million in available contracts makes Pittsburgh one of the most interesting teams to watch. As time passes, they can create more room or bring in new talent. Time for a make-over!

One more essential thing to keep in mind: the NHL’s decision to lower the escrow rate to 0% effective immediately from January 30, 2025. It is likely to increase the financial inputs that are available to teams. Talking about the upcoming season; 2025-26, the salary cap is also set to rise to $93 million, granting Pittsburgh additional breathing room in the future. This sums up the fact that the Penguins aren’t just preparing for a playoff push—they’re considering long-term flexibility, and the key is $54 million.

Also, Dubas is ready to be active on the trade market, whether by adding players to strengthen the roster or making moves to secure the team’s future. The financial flexibility provided by the $54 million in potential contracts means the Penguins are inclined to welcome some big decisions in the coming weeks, we’ll track that.

All in all, looking at things— the Penguins are indeed at a crossroads, and $54 million worth of contracts is the deciding factor of what happens next. Either they will go all-in for the playoffs or simply, start building for the future, this is a crucial time for Pittsburgh, and it’s about to get interesting. What do you think? What’s gonna happen next? Comment below!