Penguins Could Push Failed Big Summer Trade Plans to 2027 Offseason

Josh Yohe of The Athletic took a look at what’s being deemed a disappointing summer for the Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas, and wondered if the big swings the organization was trying to make could be pushed back another year. Outlining some of the things Dubas was trying to accomplish, Yohe wonders if next summer makes more sense.

Yohe reported that Dubas thought he’d be able to move up in the first round of the draft. The plan was to trade one or both of Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell to do so. He then wrote, “Dubas either misjudged the value of his assets or, more likely, misjudged how challenging the market would be.”

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Dubas wasn’t willing to sell the farm to move up.

He also reports that the Jason Robertson miss was a setback. As hard as Dubas tried to get him out of Dallas, that deal never came close. Whether the Penguins kept their powder dry, hoping things would change, isn’t entirely clear. If they did, it backfired.

Yohe believes next summer may be the better time to take significant swings. He writes:

“Next summer, the Penguins could have in excess of $70 million in cap space. The market will be much better. They’ll have a better feel for which of their aging players can still be helpful down the road. They’ll have a feel for just how good Murashov is. They’ll have a feel for which of their young players and prospects are ready for the NHL.”

Yohe also argues that the Penguins might have realized their time isn’t right now. He notes, “the Penguins aren’t ready to win yet, and Dubas knows it.” He could be waiting to see some contracts expire, get a better feel for some of the younger talents, and the go all in when he’s got a better understanding of what the Penguins are truly capable of.

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