Pittsburgh Penguins' Biggest Needs and Best Trade Fits at the Deadline

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a big move earlier this season to acquire David Perron, and acquiring him helped solidify the top line. However, there are still areas in which the Penguins could stand to improve in order to compete within a tough Metropolitan Division.

The New York Rangers and New York Islanders currently sit ahead of the Penguins, and the Washington Capitals are within close striking distance. 

The Penguins are going to make the playoffs, but there is no guarantee that they will make it out of the first round. With that in mind, here are the Penguins' biggest needs ahead of the trade deadline and some players who could fill those needs.

Second-Line Winger

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The Penguins have a stacked lineup with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist and David Perron, but they could use at least one more forward to solidify their top six. Blake Comeau isn't the greatest second-liner in the world, and he's better suited for the third line.

If the Penguins want to bolster their second line, adding Daniel Winnik from Toronto would make sense. He is a talented two-way player that would look even better with Evgeni Malkin feeding him pucks left and right.

Winnik has 23 points this season, and he could have even more on a team with better support.

Second-Pairing Defenseman

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The Pittsburgh Penguins' second pairing includes Rob Scuderi and Simon Despres, and that is a pairing that could use some upgrading. Olli Maatta is out for the remainder of the season, and Christian Ehrhoff remains out with a concussion.

Despres has taken some strides forward this season, and he deserves a better partner, as Scuderi is better suited for the third pairing at this stage of his career.

Although Derrick Pouliot has promise, he isn't ready for the second pairing at this point. Therefore, the Penguins should look into re-acquiring Zbynek Michalek from the Arizona Coyotes, or Andrej Sekera from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Either one would add experience and depth and would give the Penguins some options on defense. The Penguins have a solid offense, but their defense could use a bit of an overhaul.

Third-Line Winger

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The Penguins' bottom six lacks offensive depth, and that is something that could hurt in the playoffs. Brandon Sutter is a quality center, Beau Bennett is a 23-year-old trying to turn himself into a productive NHL player, and Nick Spaling is a decent third-liner.

However, the Penguins should look into adding someone like Cam Atkinson. He is a proficient scorer that could really bolster the team's offensive depth. Prying him from Columbus wouldn't be cheap, but it would be worth it to add a player of his caliber.

He's on pace to finish over 20 goals this season, and he could push for 25 if he joined the Penguins.

Faceoff Ace

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Brandon Sutter is the Penguins' top faceoff man, and he has won 50.2 percent of faceoffs this season. In the playoffs, winning faceoffs becomes even more important, especially offensive zone draws, because scoring chances tend to decrease.

The Penguins could use a guy that helps win faceoffs and drives possession, but they may have to settle for just faceoff help.

In all honesty, they could use a guy like Marcel Goc, the player general manager Jim Rutherford foolishly dealt earlier this year.

With Goc unavailable, the Penguins should look into options that include Jay McClement and Boyd Gordon. Both are decent bottom six centers, as both win faceoffs and kill penalties. Adding either forward would make the Penguins a better team, and both should be relatively cheap to acquire.

Stats via Hockey Reference, and rumors via The Fourth Period.