Kyle Dubas, GM of the Pittsburgh PenguinsPhoto credit: CTV News: Northern Ontario

1000-game NHL veteran Lars Eller looks to be on the trading block as the Penguins are closing in on a deal to trade him for another top-nine forward.

The Penguins have received numerous calls from teams around the league who are interested in acquiring the services of Eller.

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Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has listened, as he is also in need of acquiring another top-nine forward, therefore Eller would be the odd man out in this potential trade.

This likely means Lars Eller is on the move out of Pittsburgh. If so, Penguins get slightly younger but have to pay slightly more for their 3rd line center (Philadelphia retains 50% of Hayes salary)

Throughout his NHL career, Eller has scored 178 goals and assisted 224 times, in the 1036 games he has played in. Eller was very reliable for the Penguins last season, having suited up in all 82 games.

The Penguins will need to ensure they acquire another reliable forward should they lose Eller. A name that comes to mind is forward Ondrej Kase. There is already a connection with Kyle Dubas because of the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he acquired him to play in the bottom six.

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Former #NHLBruins forward Ondrej Kase is eyeing an NHL comeback. Kase played with HC Litvinov of the Czech Extraliga last season and totaled 23-31-54 in 48 games. He’s 28 and has been healthy since concussion issues caused him to miss significant time and leave the NHL. Keep an eye out for an NHL return #GetBent

Another viable option for the Penguins is Scott Laughton.

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The Flyers have mentioned on multiple occasions that he is on the trade market. Maybe Kyle Dubas can make a trade with his division rivals to bring the sought-after third-line center to his team and make a final push for the Stanley Cup with Sidney Crosby.

The dust is settling from the July 1st free agent frenzy, and it is now that time of year where teams will likely need to turn their attention to making major trades.