No More Big Additions Coming to Penguins
Landing Erik Karlsson was the final big change for the Pittsburgh Penguins this offseason.
Kyle Dubas has been in charge of the Pittsburgh Penguins for just over two months and he’s already made the team far better than it was when he arrived.
The first big stamp Dubas put on the Penguins was adding Stanley Cup champion Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights.
A few days later through free agency, Noel Acciari, Matt Nieto, Lars Eller, and Ryan Graves were all added to bolster the bottom six, and top line defense.
A commitment was made to Tristan Jarry as the starting goalie that day, as well.
Dubas wasn’t done, however; he followed all of that with the splash of the summer and added three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson, while shedding multiple anchor contracts.
Even if the Penguins were far better than when the final whistle blew on their disastrous 2022-23 season, was Dubas done making moves?
According to Dubas himself, he’s likely done making major changes.
“I don’t expect anything more major,” Dubas said. “You can never make any promises, you always want to try and improve the team. Now, we’re six weeks out from camp… I think this will be the group.”
Dubas did mention that professional tryouts could float to Pittsburgh to add to the roster battles at training camp, but the big moves seem to be over for now.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman suggested that the Penguins may look into Tomas Tatar, who is still an available free agent, but that doesn’t seem likely.
Bringing Tatar would be an obvious cover for the hole Jake Guentzel will leave as he recovers from ankle surgery, but the Penguins don’t expect him to miss much time.
Dubas said he thinks Guentzel will only miss around five games and there are no plans to place him on long-term injured reserve.
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