Kyle Dubas might bring more former Toronto Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins during free agency.
The Pittsburgh Penguins need all the help they can get when it comes to retooling the outlook of their lineup.
While there is no full-time general manager in place to make roster decisions, it’s up to new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas to build the Penguins as he sees fit.
Dubas has already started that within the front office by firing a few names that were brought in by Ron Hextall and hiring Jason Spezza to work as assistant general manager.
Spezza worked with Dubas with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he is likely just the first of a few names that will make the trip to Pittsburgh.
That includes on the ice as it’s possible Dubas targets some of his former players to help bolster the Penguins.
According to Christ Johnston of SDPN, all three of Alex Kerfoot, Justin Holl, and Michael Bunting will not be returning to the Maple Leafs.
All three are set to become unrestricted free agents come July 1, but should Dubas and the Penguins express interest in these players?
Holl not so much, but Kerfoot and Bunting would be magnificent additions to the Penguins’ bottom six.
Beyond Jake Guentzel, the Penguins are weak in depth on the left wing, which is exactly where both Kerfoot and Bunting slot in.
Kerfoot played in all 82 games this past season in Toronto and was utilized all over the lineup; he scored 10 goals and 22 assists for 32 points which out-paces each member of the Penguins’ most recent bottom-six.
As for Bunting, he had his coming out party in 2021-22, but then settled in as a regular NHLer this past season.
He’s a bit of a pest, but Bunting is able to contribute not just by getting under opponents’ skin, but also on the score sheet.
In all 82 games, Bunting recorded 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 total points, all while racking up 103 penalty minutes.
Bunting is due for a big pay day, and the Penguins might be the perfect landing spot if Dubas feels so inclined.
The Penguins will have the space and need a disturber like Bunting within the lineup.
Dubas should pass on Holl just because the Penguins are struggling enough as it is to ice each NHL-ready defender they have.
Adding another to the logjam is far less than ideal, especially considering he is the least attractive performer of the three.
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