The Pittsburgh Penguins aren't totally sold on their plans.

PITTSBURGH – The NHL trade deadline is about two and a half weeks away, and the Pittsburgh Penguins still haven’t decided exactly what direction they plan on heading. Sitting eight points out of a playoff spot, they haven’t clarified whether they will be buyers or sellers.

According to Kyle Dubas, however, the next few games will likely decide where the Penguins are heading. Zeroing in on the prominent core members, Dubas wants to give them the leeway possible to find a rhythm.

“I think if the group didn't have the pedigree or the history that it has, I wouldn’t feel they're owed that same latitude,” Dubas said. “I feel this group, in respecting them and what they’ve accomplished in the past… I think that’s the right and fair thing to do.”

Dubas noted that the guys know what’s at stake. Guys like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang must lead the charge to bring the Penguins back into playoff contention for the 2023-24 season.

“It’s been outlined to them,” Dubas said. “We’ve got the last two remaining games of this homestand, a western trip, and then we’re back here to show where we want to go.”

The Penguins will be without Jake Guentzel for that stretch, which will complicate matters, but if things don’t go in the right direction, he may not return to Pittsburgh ice. Guentzel has been the center of attention on the trade market, and Dubas didn’t shut the door on dealing him.

Dubas has been patient with the team, and patience will continue. You can count the Penguins as buyers, but that doesn’t mean they won’t give one last push before the deadline.

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