NHL Trade Deadline 2018: These 5 teams need to be buyers

With a core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang the Penguins are in the chase for a cup every season. The Penguins are always a cup favorite and coming off back to back championships. Every year the Penguins make a move near the deadline to add depth to their line up or fill a major need. Like the Dallas Stars, the Penguins could be looking for a goal scorer for their top two lines. Because of their strong core, the Penguins are likely all in and won’t mind paying a high price for a rental.

Once again Evander Kane makes the list as a fit. Current Sabres GM Jason Botterill was the former assistant GM of Pittsburgh and has a strong relationship with current GM Jim Rutherford. Botterill is very familiar with the Penguins prospect pipeline so pairing the two teams together as trade partners makes sense. Putting Kane on the second line with Malkin and Kessel would be a major boost in offensive productivity. This also allows for Pittsburgh to move Carl Hagelin down the lineup and put together one of the fastest third lines in the league with Sheahan and Sheary. The Sabres will have to retain some of Kane’s salary to make this trade work. That would create more leverage for Botterill to maximize his return.