The Pittsburgh Penguins proceed to wrestle this season. They appear nice one evening, and the following, not a lot. And for stretches, they don’t look nice. That poor play carries from sport to sport underneath head coach Mike Sullivan.
The difficulty is that three pillars are nonetheless on the group. President of Hockey Operations and Normal Supervisor Kyle Dubas is strolling a skinny line that he can’t stability anymore.
Pittsburgh Penguins Issues Don’t All Fall on Kyle Dubas
It’s powerful to retool on the fly whereas making an attempt to be aggressive. Simply have a look at the Calgary Flames. The Flames knew they wanted to rebuild final 12 months by promoting off their unrestricted free brokers, giving them a pleasant younger corps with a mixture of veterans.
Nevertheless, as Flames Normal Supervisor Craig Conroy instructed NHLRumors.com, it’s by no means straightforward to inform gamers to lose after which inform them to go play to win.
“I all the time say it’s arduous to inform a participant or really feel prefer it’s okay to lose a sport, after which sooner or later, flip and inform him he has to win each sport,” stated Craig Conroy.
As you’ll be able to see in Calgary, the Flames are rebuilding however should not retooling on the fly as they construct a aggressive franchise when their new constructing opens.
Pittsburgh’s drawback is that the edict from possession has been to attempt to win one other championship with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh doesn’t have the items to try this.
Jake Guentzel was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on the NHL Commerce Deadline final season. The return for Guentzel was okay. However Guentzel was a participant you would rebuild round and attempt to retool on the fly whereas being aggressive. This drawback goes again a few years.
NHL Rumors: The Pittsburgh Penguins Are Not an Simple Repair
In reality, this retool on the fly or rebuild wanted to start out in the summertime of 2022. Then, President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke and Normal Supervisor Ron Hextall had the imaginative and prescient to inform Fenway Sports activities Group {that a} rebuild was crucial.
They needed to let Evgeni Malkin stroll in free company however had been instructed to signal him to a brand new deal so the trio of Malkin, Crosby, and Letang may very well be collectively and win. Sadly, the cabinet is naked, and the draft picks are absent.
Bringing in Erik Karlsson has not labored. Kevin Hayes, Ryan Graves, and Matt Grezlcyk haven’t moved the needle. Anthony Beauvillier has been a shiny spot, however there aren’t any younger gamers coming. Rutger McGroarty is within the system, however the jury remains to be out on his manufacturing within the NHL.
NHL Rumors: Pittsburgh Penguins, and Max Time period Contracts
Once more, it’s a powerful act to stability. Mike Sullivan is the coach, however the defensive points this group repeatedly exhibits are a problem. Some other coach might be gone, however Sullivan is within the first 12 months of a multi-year extension. To not point out, Dubas is within the second 12 months of a seven-year contract with the Penguins.
We all know Pittsburgh doesn’t wish to tear it down. They place confidence in the coach, and possession nonetheless likes him, however the outcomes should not there.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are attempting to do what their rival, the Washington Capitals, are doing. Washington made good hockey trades to higher their group and are retooling on the fly. Pittsburgh didn’t. Now the Penguins are paying the value for profitable the Stanley Cups and making an attempt to be aggressive.
Did the Pittsburgh Penguins Do Sufficient This Offseason?
The Lars Eller commerce was the beginning of one thing. However nothing will change except the Pittsburgh Penguins decide to shifting considered one of their massive weapons. It might take a Malkin commerce to get the required items to retool on the fly. Karlsson may transfer the needle, however the Penguins should make a hockey commerce. Not one for simply picks and prospects.
A group like Pittsburgh can’t be half severe about rebuilding. You both do it otherwise you don’t.
