He’s not worth using two retention spots for.

doesn't make sense. Eller is a reliable 3C and he's $2.3 million cheaper. Rakell found his groove again w/ 71 & 8.

I think as Sid & Geno get older the team will need a 3C that can eat up more minutes (long-term). Maybe the retention of Rakell is too much, had to make the cap work for Carolina as well

I think Carolina would rather just have the cap space and move Kotkaniemi for pick(s). They have some big free agents to sign. He could be a buy cheap option for the Pens, due to his large cap hit. But he should be a target. We could use a young top 9 center.

JK is not worth that. He's a cap dump on a 6 year contract.
If the penguins were to bring him on, they wouldn't be retaining on anything.