The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for strategic moves as they have made their 2025 first-round pick available, which has garnered significant attention across the league. With the rising salary cap, the Penguins are positioned to acquire players and potentially take on contracts with additional assets included.

Interest is high for their pick, and the Penguins are reportedly seeking young talent, possibly looking at free agents like Mitch Marner or Sam Bennett. The team may also consider younger RFA forwards such as Mason McTavish or Gabe Vilardi, whose current teams might hesitate to pay top dollar.

Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are also in a precarious situation, having lost three consecutive games but remain in a wild-card position. Their limited cap space restricts their ability to make substantial moves before the trade deadline. The Senators are eyeing top-nine forwards to bolster their lineup, with names like Brandon Tanev and Ryan Donato surfacing as potential targets.