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3 Left-Shot Defensemen the Penguins Must Target This Offseason
A new report listed three left-shot defensemen that the Pittsburgh Penguins must target this offseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas revealed in the end-of-season media availability that he knows he'll need to address the holes in the left side of the defense, especially after the trade that sent Marcus Pettersson to the Vancouver Canucks:
"I think the left side of our defense has been a problem. There's just no other way [to put it]. Especially moving [Marcus Pettersson] out to Vancouver in that trade... I think the trade will serve us a great purpose in the future, but it hurts the left side of the defense corps now."
"You can't just wish that all of [their current left defensemen] are going to improve and all move up into 1-2-3, left side of the defense. That's an area, I think, externally, that we have to improve. So, we'll be on the lookout for that."
"You can't just wish that all of [their current left defensemen] are going to improve and all move up into 1-2-3, left side of the defense. That's an area, I think, externally, that we have to improve. So, we'll be on the lookout for that."
In a new report, three left-handed defensemen were listed as top potential targets for the Penguins on the trade market: Pavel Mintyukov, Bowen Byram, and K'Andre Miller.
Mintyukov, Byram and Miller emerge as potential targets for the Penguins
Mintyukov, 21, is arguably the most intriguing name available, with one year left on his entry-level deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
Despite a strong rookie season, he only scored 19 points in 68 games this year. With limited opportunities in Anaheim, his raw but high-upside game makes him a compelling target.
For Byram, who completed his first full year with the Buffalo Sabres, he scored seven goals and 38 points in 82 games with a plus-11 rating in an uneven season. Still just 23, Byram remains a solid second-pairing option with room to grow. As a pending RFA, he's exactly the kind of player the Penguins should explore acquiring.
As for Miller, the New York Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. With an aging, underperforming core, struggling young players, and little prospect depth, tough offseason decisions loom. K'Andre Miller, 25, is a pending RFA who had a down year but remains a capable top-four defenseman.
| POLL | ||
MAI 15 | 99 ANSWERS 3 Left-Shot Defensemen the Penguins Must Target This Offseason Who do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins should target this summer? | ||
| K'Andre Miller | 20 | 20.2 % |
| Bowen Byram | 32 | 32.3 % |
| Pavel Mintyukov | 17 | 17.2 % |
| Someone else | 30 | 30.3 % |
| List of polls | ||