What Dubas Tried to Avoid Is Here Anyway

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas had planned to rebuild his team gradually, citing successful examples like the Washington Capitals and LA Kings. However, despite his efforts, the Penguins now find themselves in a position that mirrors the agonizing process of other teams that chose to tear down and rebuild. After just 20 games, the Penguins have only three regulation wins and seven overall wins, trailing the wild-card spot by double digits and the New York Rangers by nine points.

Dubas cautioned against shortcuts in his 2025 presser, stating, "Shortcuts cut long runs short." Yet, two years later, the Penguins appear to have become trapped in a cycle of losing, unable to develop their young players and relying on a roster of aging veterans. The young players Dubas hoped to develop, such as Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen, have struggled to crack the lineup and have not been given the same opportunities as other players.

While Dubas expressed optimism in April 2025, the team's performance in 2026 has fallen short of his expectations. The trade market has shifted dramatically, with top young players now requiring a premium plus more. As the trade deadline approaches, the Penguins must decide whether to continue down a path of incremental improvement or to embrace a full rebuild, relying on draft picks and young talent. Either way, the team is now out of options for a short-term fix.