PITTSBURGH — Don’t look now, but the NHL trade deadline is right around the corner.

President/general manager Kyle Dubas’ Pittsburgh Penguins have been undeniably good this season, which makes them a surprising candidate to be a buyer at the March 6 deadline.

Of course, that requires selling something, too.

Lots could happen between now and the deadline, but at this point, it will be a disappointment if the Penguins don’t make the playoffs.

Dubas, who has proven to be a skilled trader, will be in the spotlight.

Who are the most likely Penguins to be dealt? Remember, there is a real possibility of a “hockey trade” given the lack of sellers in the NHL this season. Here are the tiers.

‘Sorry to our Canadian friends’ division Sidney Crosby

I hate to break it to you, but Crosby will likely never be traded, and certainly not this season.

The obsession with Crosby playing elsewhere has consumed so many people for years. Crosby has earned the right to go elsewhere if he chooses, but he’s never wavered in saying he wants to stay in Pittsburgh. Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, forced this idea into the spotlight before the season. But let’s take Crosby at his word.

‘It’s not happening’ division Evgeni Malkin

He has a full no-movement clause, loves Pittsburgh and has absolutely no interest in leaving. I haven’t a clue what the market would be for him — the Penguins could get something, sure — but he holds the cards. He has affection and loyalty to Pittsburgh. He’s not going anywhere.

Kris Letang

He’s in the same boat as Malkin with the no-movement clause, though the truth with Letang is that Dubas would have a tough time moving him. He’s not played well, and, given his contract and longtime health issues, there is no interest in him from other teams.

That said, Letang has played much better in recent weeks. The Penguins missed him after his recent broken foot. He’s the classic player who brings value that can be taken for granted — until he’s out.

‘Send to voicemail’ division Ben Kindel

I don’t know what the 18-year-old center’s ceiling is, but I know it’s high. And if I know this, you had better believe the Penguins know this.

He’s special and is going to be wearing black and gold for a very long time.

Sergei Murashov

He’s off limits. Remember: Dubas isn’t the type of GM who likes to pay goaltenders outrageous amounts of money. Murashov, who’s currently in the AHL, will be cheap for the next few years, presumably, which falls in line with how Dubas prefers to build teams.

Will Horcoff

You’re probably aware of what Horcoff is doing at Michigan this season. So are the Penguins. He might be a couple of years away from being NHL-ready, but the Penguins are very excited about his future.

Bill Zonnon

Don’t sleep on this guy. Injuries have plagued Zonnon’s 2025-26 season, and, like Horcoff, he might be a couple of years away from being an NHL player. But it’s easy to forget that the Penguins actually selected Zonnon before Horcoff. They absolutely love his game. He’s a natural center, and the Penguins aren’t exactly young at that position, other than Kindel. They believe Zonnon has a real opportunity to be a building block. It’s not to say that players like Zonnon and Horcoff are completely unmovable — hockey trades happen — but the odds of either being shipped away are minuscule.

Egor Chinakhov

Nah, don’t ask. They like him quite a bit. You can see why. He’s been an incredible acquisition.

Harrison Brunicke

The Penguins remain very high on the 19-year-old defenseman, even though they shipped him back to his junior team.

‘Maybe for a young star’ division First-round pick

It’s unlikely that Dubas would move a first-rounder. But if he can orchestrate a deal for someone who could bring instant star power to Pittsburgh, I’m sure he’d do it.

‘Hockey trade only’ division Erik Karlsson

He’s been great, and the Penguins would be OK with keeping him for the duration of his deal, which runs through the end of next season. I don’t foresee him going anywhere, at least not yet. He’s too important right now.

Bryan Rust

It would take a lot for Dubas to trade Rust. He means so much to so many people in the organization. He might be a lifer.

Tommy Novak

He’s suddenly a pretty valuable guy. Novak, acquired from the Nashville Predators in the Michael Bunting trade, found his game and is thriving as a member of the Penguins. A significant return would be required for him to be shipped out.

Rickard Rakell

He’s not going anywhere, realistically. That could always change, of course, but he’s in a similar boat to Rust. He’s just so important to this team’s success. Rakell is more likely to go in a “hockey trade” than Rust, but it’s still wildly unlikely at this point.

Stuart Skinner

It’s hard to imagine Skinner, acquired in the Tristan Jarry trade, being dealt. If he plays well, the Penguins figure to be in the playoff race and will be reliant on him. If he doesn’t play well and the Penguins are imploding, I can’t imagine anyone would want him. But for the sake of needing Skinner to be in any of these tiers, we’ll put him here. More interestingly, in his case, is whether the Penguins will give him a deal this summer. It’s too early to say.

Parker Wotherspoon

Wotherspoon has been tremendous all season. What an incredible find in free agency. The Penguins have him for another season after this one. The only way he’s traded? If someone offers something stupid for him.

Brett Kulak

Also acquired in the Jarry trade, Kulak gotten his footing in Pittsburgh and is getting better. More importantly, he’s bringing out the best in Letang. That makes him valuable and unlikely to go.

Ryan Shea

He’s a solid, dependable defenseman. The Penguins like him and want to keep him. He’s much more likely to receive a new contract than be traded.

Jack St. Ivany

I doubt there’s much interest in him around the league, but you can’t deny that he and Shea work together as a tandem.

Artūrs Šilovs

Murashov’s presence makes Šilovs movable, but he’s been pretty good lately.

‘More likely hockey trade’ division Anthony Mantha

Here’s an interesting name. He’s unquestionably been one of the Penguins’ best players this season. He’s also not necessarily someone they’ll sign for next season and beyond because he’s the classic player who will receive massive offers in free agency on July 1. I’m sure he’s aware of it. The Penguins love him, yes, but do they want to give someone in his 30s a lucrative deal? I kind of doubt it.

The Penguins are likely to keep him for the playoff run, but if they decide to go big-game hunting on deadline day — we’re talking Jason Robertson or another big-name forward — Mantha, because of his contract situation, is a trade candidate.

Noel Acciari

Sure, he’s been good, and his line has been fantastic. But if someone wants a rugged forward, I don’t think the Penguins would be opposed to dealing him for something helpful in return. Avery Hayes is always right there as a replacement on the fourth line.

Connor Dewar

See Acciari, Noel.

Dewar has been outstanding. He probably isn’t going anywhere. He’s also set to be a free agent, and his value has never been higher.

I don’t think they’d mess with their fourth line, but the second you think pieces of your fourth line are unmovable, you’ve got yourself a problem.

‘Unlikely’ divisionVille Koivunen

Why sell low? And besides, the Penguins aren’t giving up on him yet, even though Koivunen has been disappointing this season. But, sure, a trade is conceivable. There are prospects in the organization that the Penguins like more.

Rutger McGroarty

I can’t say he’s unmovable in the way that Kindel is, and he hasn’t played great in his brief NHL time, but he’s only 21 and the Penguins like him. I can’t envision him going anywhere.

Joel Blomqvist

Don’t forget about this goaltender. He doesn’t have the flashy talent that we see from Murashov, but he’s having a good season. He still can be part of the Penguins’ future. Plus, we just don’t see goalies traded all that often.

Justin Brazeau

I think it’s far more likely that the Penguins give this guy a new contract before July 1 than trade him. He’s been outstanding, and they think he’s a keeper.

Blake Lizotte

The entire fourth line has been good, and all three of those guys deserve credit. But Lizotte is the guy who makes that line go and just got paid on a very team-friendly contract.

Connor Clifton

He’s been better lately, and with injuries on the right side of the blue line, he’s become more valuable.

‘Sure, we can talk’ division Kevin Hayes

It’s not been a great season for the veteran, whose foot speed is a real problem.

Ryan Graves

He’s been perfectly passable in his NHL appearances this season. The cap is going way up. Three of his six seasons on a rough contract are now banished. Any takers out there? He’s available.

‘Most likely to go’ division Draft picks not in the first round

Sure, it’s still about the future. But you saw the trade Dubas made for Chinakhov. He’s not afraid to deal draft picks for young talent, which is something you may see moving forward.