The Pittsburgh Penguins have an open spot in their lineup and a solid deal could help fill the role.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins haven’t gotten outstanding work from Reilly Smith this year but losing him long-term to an upper-body injury leaves a forward role wide open for the taking. The extent of Smith’s injury still isn’t exactly known but this is the perfect time for Kyle Dubas to start working the phones and make a big move to bolster the Penguins lineup.

Reaching the midway point of the season, the Penguins are just a hair outside of a playoff spot and have a great opportunity to make a push down the stretch. They still need scoring help and certain wingers that can fill in for Smith could be exactly what the Penguins are looking for.

In-house options to fill the open lineup spot can only help for so long, and the Penguins need a proven NHL talent to make a difference. Who might be on Dubas’ radar if he decides it’s time for a new offensive mind?

Jason Dickinson

Currently centering the second line on a very bad and brutally injured Chicago Blackhawks squad, Jason Dickinson could provide a lot of what the Penguins have been looking for. Not only can Dickinson play center, but he can show some versatility by easily sliding to the left wing.

In 42 games played this year, Dickinson has been one of the Blackhawks most productive players with 14 goals and seven assists for 21 points. Subtle reminder that the Blackhawks are 12-28-2 and adding Dickinson’s numbers to a superior offense could make for higher production.

Dickinson is on pace for a career year with 14 goals already a new peak by a wide margin. The Penguins can strike while the iron is hot on Dickinson not only for to fill in for Smith but bolster the depth when he returns.

Alexander Barabanov

The numbers for Alexander Barabanov don’t look as stellar as Dickinson, but he’s skating on an even worse San Jose Sharks team. In 22 games played, Barabanov has scored three goals and four assists for seven total points.

Those don’t jump off the page at all, but it feels like an anomaly; last year in 68 games he recorded a career high 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 points. The year prior was also excellent with 10 goals and 29 assists in 70 games.

Barabanov currently has a modified no-trade clause, but he has familiarity with a key figure in the Penguins organization. Barabanov was never drafted; instead, Dubas brought him to the Toronto Maple Leafs organization and gave him his first NHL contract.

There’s already a familiarity between Barabanov and Dubas making another connection fairly simple. Not to mention the Russian-native could find common ground with Evgeni Malkin and he's already played plenty with Erik Karlsson.

Michael Bunting

Speaking on connections to Dubas, Michael Bunting might already be on his way out of the Carolina Hurricanes, and insiders already wouldn’t be surprised to see that reunion. Bunting is in his first year with the Hurricanes after a pair of successful seasons with the Maple Leafs.

In 161 games with Dubas and the Leafs, Bunting recorded 112 points (46G-66A) and was an absolute pain to play against.

The Hurricanes are in desperate need for goalie help and the Penguins likely don’t want to part ways with a netminder, but they have depth in that position. If Dubas felt strongly enough for Bunting, it wouldn’t a total surprise seeing Nedeljkovic head to Carolina while Magnus Hellberg steps in as backup.

Joel Blomqvist is on a hot streak in the American Hockey League and don’t forget Garret Sparks is down there, too.

Bunting would be the most expensive, and least likely option, but somehow makes the most sense for the Penguins.

Smith going down long-term opens up a multitude of opportunities, whether it’s for someone in-house to step up and run with a new role, or for Dubas to start working the phones. Either way, the Penguins will be an interesting team to keep an eye on over the next couple of weeks.

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