The Pittsburgh Penguins officially have the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, but should they be looking to trade it with under two months until the draft? The Pittsburgh Penguins were likely near the end of their front office search when a Kyle Dubas sized wrench was thrown into the mix. Following his initial plans to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs or take time off, Dubas may have found a change of heart when the Penguins came calling. Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan stated that Dubas wanted to stay in Toronto’s front office, but the team dismissed him anyway. Elliotte Friedman reported later that the Penguins, despite being in the heat of their GM search, were going to reach out and talk with Dubas. According to Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/] the Penguins have been granted permission and plan on making a pitch to Dubas about working in Pittsburgh. Friedman noted that the Penguins were likely really close to making a final decision and could have made a hire early in the week, but will now put everything on hold while talks with Dubas happen. Dubas seemingly pulled himself out of the conversation when he told everyone it was ‘Toronto or nothing’ during his final press conference as Maple Leafs’ GM. He noted the toll that the last season had taken on him and his family and wanted to take a break if he was not returning to the Maple Leafs. Shanahan took that as Dubas might not be fully committed to the Maple Leafs and served Dubas his walking papers. Given he wanted to return to Toronto, Dubas likely still has the fire to be in an NHL front office; despite the Penguins were deep into their search with other high-quality names, Dubas is the kind of mind you make last second changes for. It’s been a wild ride for the Penguins in their front office search, but no matter the names, the conclusion is likely right around the corner. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Jaromir Jagr Visits PPG Paints Arena, Penguins' Locker Room [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/jaromir-jagr-ppg-paints-pittsburgh-penguins-locker-room] Players the Penguins Could Target with First-Round Pick [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/players-pittsburgh-penguins-target-first-round-pick] Penguins' 14th Overall Pick Could Fetch Great Return [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-14-overall-pick-great-return] Five Candidates Revealed in Penguins GM Search [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/candidates-pittsburgh-penguins-general-manager-interviews] Penguins Expected To Talk With Kyle Dubas [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-expected-talk-kyle-dubas] * undefined * undefined
