PITTSBURGH — For all the attention the NHL trade deadline understandably receives, the most fertile time for transactions is on the horizon.The six days between the beginning of the NHL Draft and unrestricted free agency have become the launching ground for significant movement around the league.And make no mistake, the Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to make moves.Kyle Dubas, their general manager and president of hockey operations, has been transparent about his belief that trades are among the best and most efficient ways to enhance his team. This year’s free-agency market isn’t great. The Penguins, however, have around $38 million in cap space and plenty of tradable assets, both of the veteran and young variety. They also have future draft picks they’re willing to deal.So, what’s the plan?Here’s what I know:• Dubas isn’t itching to trade veteran forwards Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell, but, much like last summer, both are available.There is interest in both players; the question is, how much? Over the past two summers, Dubas received far more interest in Rust than in Rakell. Rust didn’t disappoint during the 2025-26 season, putting up 29 goals and a career-high 65 points. His only real cons are that he recently turned 34 and that he is injury-prone, having missed 10 or more games in nine of his 10 full NHL seasons.He is extremely productive (502 points in 710 NHL games), a respected teammate, a solid penalty killer, capable of playing up and down the lineup, and among the greatest big-game players of his era. He’s also Sidney Crosby’s preferred right winger.Dubas will not trade Rust just to make a deal. But if the right offer comes along, Rust is available.• The same is true of Rakell, much as it was last summer.Rakell had a slow start last season and then missed considerable time with a broken hand. He was magnificent in the second half, though, while playing center — he’s a natural winger, equally capable on the right or left side — and finishing with 24 goals and 48 points in 60 games.A lot of people expected the Penguins to deal Rakell at the trade deadline, but the team never received an offer that even tempted Dubas. Like Rust, Rakell has two years remaining on his deal. And like Rust ($5.25 million cap hit), Rakell ($5 million) comes at a reasonable cost that would fit with several teams, given the NHL’s rising cap ceiling.Dubas would not be seeking draft picks or prospects in a trade, though he isn’t against adding those as supplemental pieces. He wants young players who can help the Penguins now and in the future. The consensus among team sources I’ve spoken to, who were granted anonymity because they haven’t been cleared to discuss internal strategy publicly, is that Rust and Rakell are available for the right price.