NHL Trade Deadline Presents Unique Challenge for Kyle Dubas
Following the disaster that was the Brian Burke/Ron Hextall regime, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a very interesting hire, with Kyle Dubas being named President of hockey operations on June 1st. A month later, the 37-year-old Dubas made himself general manager.
One of Dubas’ first moves this past offseason was acquiring veteran forward Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights. He also signed former Washington Capitals center Lars Eller to help boost the bottom six. Additions made to the blue line were the signing of Ryan Graves, and the blockbuster trade of Erik Karlsson. Goaltending help was addressed by Dubas, as he signed Alex Nedeljkovic.
The Penguins are currently 23-19-7, and are next to last, in the Metropolitan Division. However, they find themselves only seven points back of the second Wild Card spot with 53.
By and large, Dubas’ transactions have been hit & miss so far this season. Eller has been a steady, third line center for Pittsburgh, while Nedeljkovic is doing exceptional work, as Tristan Jarry’s backup. On the flip side, Smith and Graves have disappointed, especially Graves, who was brought in for an average annual value of $4.5 million over six years. As for Karlsson, the move has been met with mixed reviews among Penguins’ fans. Some have liked what he brings, as an offensive type defenseman, but others have criticized his defensive abilities - even going as far to suggest that he’s played a significant role as to why the Penguins’ Power Play has really struggled - at least on his unit.
As we’re now a little less than a month away from the NHL trade deadline, how should Dubas ultimately go about it?
With the Fenway Sports Group, they seem committed to giving Crosby, Malkin, and Letang one last run at a Stanley Cup title, but the reality is that this current Penguins team is nowhere near that level. It also compounds the issue that Pittsburgh’s available cap space is limited. The biggest sore thumb is Jeff Carter’s $3,125,000 cap hit, which continues to handcuff them. If Dubas does decide to make significant, additions at the deadline, then he will really need to be creative on how he clears more money. Perhaps one idea would be putting be Reilly Smith on waivers, finding a claimer. Another could be a waiver move involving Rickard Rakell, who has grossly underperformed this season, but has a track record that could appeal to other clubs.
Then there’s the elephant in the room - Jake Guentzel. The 29-year-old left winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, and is on track, for his fourth career 30-goal campaign. Reports came out earlier this month that Guentzel and his representative turned down a six-year extension worth $51 million.
It would obviously take a massive, trade return for the Penguins to move Guentzel, despite being on an expiring contract. Again, should Pittsburgh look to add pieces, then chances are Guentzel stays put, and they take the risk of possibly losing him for nothing.
March 8th should create a very eventful day for Dubas and the Penguins’ organization.