New Report Unveils the Three Penguins who are Untouchable in Potential Fire Sale
A report has emerged that reveals which Pittsburgh Penguins players won't be included in what is expected to be a team fire sale if they continue to lose.
Speculation about the make-up of the Pittsburgh Penguins roster has been going on for weeks, but a minor trade Tuesday night means Penguins fans are still guessing whether a full-blown roster shake-up is in the works.
According to Rob Rossi, a Senior Writer at 'The Athletic', the message from General Manager Kyle Dubas during the just-completed GM Meetings in Toronto was crystal clear: don't expect a "fire sale" of players midseason. A mass roster overhaul, Rossi reports, is simply "unrealistic" for the Penguins right now.
But Dubas has made it known that three players are firmly off the table when it comes to trade discussions: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Bryan Rust.
Rossi labels the first three as Dubas' "absolute untouchables." No one is surprised Crosby would be on this list, after re-signing this summer.
He's reaffirmed his commitment to Pittsburgh, the only team he's known in his storied career. Malkin himself is a franchise icon who has built a legacy nearly on par with Crosby's.
Rust, who has been one of the most dependable second/third-line forwards over the past decade and carries a very reasonable contract ($5.125 million AAV through 2027), rounds out this protected core.
While a full-scale rebuild isn't in the cards, Rossi does indicate that the recent move sending Lars Eller out of town could be an indicator of the direction to come.
The Penguins GM may reshape the lineup throughout the season by taking a hard look at roster players such as Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, and Anthony Beauvillier.
At the moment, the Penguins sit 7th in the Metropolitan Division, tied for worst goal differential in the conference at -21 with a record of 6-9-2. With struggles somewhat evident early, Pittsburgh fans might just be in for another long season ahead.
