Can't happen this year we already have 3 retained salaries in Petry, Smith and Jack Johnson buyout
Next year could be more interesting on this front if Karlsson wants out due to his full NMC.
Pittsburgh can only retain 37% of Karlsson as SJ has the other 13% so his Cap hit for anyone taking him on is 6.3m, however his actual salary would be 5.7m then 4.8 the next year. Making an owner more likely to approve a trade, however these trades usually go towards teams looking to stay around low to mid Cap range, and are not competing, meaning Karlsson won't want to go to a team with the same situation competitively as the Pens will be in.
I think if Karlsson wants out it will be on his demands and not the teams.
I don't see much movement this year, but next year can see guys like Rakell moved as his actual pay will be below his cap hit, and Graves actual pay starts to meet then drop below his cap hit, get moved. I don't see a movement clause on Rusts contract and he could be traded if that's the case as well,
IF Dubas decides to go all in on the rebuild. This will probably affect the Core in some regards. I can see Crosby staying, Malkin Retiring ala LTIR magic, and Letang wanting out if larger pieces start to get moved. It is possible Crosby moves on, however it would be on his choice alone, and I do see him being the guy that helps the team by getting something in return... unlike Sundin and the Leafs.
Basically this year is running it back like the last couple years, then the contracts get easier to move, hopefully there's performance improvements to make the moves more beneficial for the Pens, if not those mentioned pieces will still help restock the youth pipeline quite a bit.
Then we get McKenna and in 5 years or less we start adding to our cup haul and become lords of the hated again.
I can't wait.