Report from Pittsburgh: Dubas Makes It Known 'Everyone Is Available Except 87'
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Pittsburgh Penguins are struggling early in the season, and now sources appear to agree that Kyle Dubas and the team could start a major clear out.
Through 17 games this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are just 6-9-2, and with plenty of competition in the Eastern Conference, their chances at the Stanley Cup Playoffs are slipping further and further away.
The worst loss of their season thus far came on Monday night against the Dallas Stars, who handily defeated them 7-1, and with very few signs of life, the calls to begin a clear out of the organization have started from fans and analysts alike, including a major change behind the bench.
Now, according to an intriguing report out of Pittsburgh, one source has stated that Kyle Dubas has made his trade deadline plans very clear, and it won't be that shocking to anyone the statement that he made.
A league source told me earlier this week that Kyle Dubas has made it known to other teams that "everyone is available, except 87." And while Dubas has done well to replenish the pool with picks and prospects over the past year or so, the objective of any near-future moves wouldn't be to add more futures.
According to Dubas, Sidney Crosby at this stage is untouchable, but no one else on the roster is, with the likes of Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson all available.
All four of those names do carry no-trade clauses in their contracts, so it's unclear how interested they would be in a move, but after a 7-1 thrashing that included giving up six goals in the first period on home ice, it's safe to say they'd likely be open to a move.
Beyond that the team are potentially looking at the likes of Michael Bunting, Ryan Graves and Marcus Pettersson, the latter of whom has not begun extension talks with the team, among others to be moved out as they look to stock the cupboard with more draft picks and prospects moving forward.
Ultimately, this rebuild has been a few years in the making in Pittsburgh, and getting top prospect Rutger McGroarty certainly helps, but they've got a long way to go if they want to build a promising future after 87.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 12 | 136 ANSWERS Report from Pittsburgh: Dubas Makes It Known ‘Everyone Is Available Except 87' Will the Pittsburgh Penguins move one of their star veterans this season? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 73.5 % |
| No | 36 | 26.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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