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    Nick Horwat
    Nick Horwat
    Oct 12, 2023, 12:32

    Kyle Dubas is bringing a new mindset to the Pittsburgh Penguins front office he previously didn't have.

    Kyle Dubas is bringing a new mindset to the Pittsburgh Penguins front office he previously didn't have.

    He may be young compared to other front office executives, but Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas is already one of the best front office executives in the NHL.

    While still gaining experience, many around the hockey world already consider the Penguins boss as one of the smarted hockey minds, but he continues to grow wiser.

    According to Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, Dubas has already grown as a leader and is taking a new approach when looking for on-ice personnel.

    As the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dubas’ main focus was building a team loaded from top to bottom with offense.

    Friedman was told that Dubas has changed a bit in his mindset that the Penguins are seeing a different approach.

    Now, with the Penguins, Dubas’ focus is less about offense and more about ‘nothing bad’ happening to you.

    That could mean more defensive depth or two-way players, but Friedman pointed to the waiver claim of Jansen Harkins as a perfect example of this change in mindset.

    Had Harkins been placed on waivers a few years ago, Dubas may not have thought twice about him.

    Harkins isn’t necessarily known as an offensive juggernaut, but has that complete 200-foot game and isn’t afraid to play with an edge.

    Having that complete game is exactly the time of team head coach Mike Sullivan wants to deploy, as well; a team that has high end talent backed by guys who are useful on both sides of the puck.

    If you look at the Penguins bottom six right now, there is even more evidence of that growth from Dubas.

    Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, and Lars Eller are all perfect examples of guys who don’t strike you as scoring threats, but can definitely keep the puck out of their own net.

    Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

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