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Eight Penguins Players Officially Hit the Free Agent Market
Eight Pittsburgh Penguins players are set to hit the free agent market today, here's what you need to know.
After making big strides during the NHL Draft, Kyle Dubas will have another busy day ahead of him as the free agency market opens.
The Penguins have many holes to fill in the lineup and are expected to complete a few moves in the coming days to bolster the roster ahead of training camp next fall, especially considering eight players could leave imminently.
Indeed, after yesterday's deadline, six restricted free agents who didn't receive qualifying offers became UFAs, joining the two players whose contracts expired at midnight.
In total, eight players will seek new contracts: Matt Grzelcyk, Matt Nieto, Phil Tomasino, Connor Dewar, P.O Joseph, Raivis Ansons, Taylor Gauthier, and Emil Bemstrom.
In a recent interview, Kyle Dubas opened up on his plans ahead of free agency but remained cryptic when he talked about what's coming:
"With our current strategy, we're going to see what's out there and see where we're at.
I would be surprised - unless they were RFAs or trades - that we would do long-range deals with players. But we've got a number of players in mind that I think we can give opportunity to."
I would be surprised - unless they were RFAs or trades - that we would do long-range deals with players. But we've got a number of players in mind that I think we can give opportunity to."
He even stated that some veterans could end up switching teams, with many teams inquiring about players such as Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell, suggesting the Pens could be very active on July 1st:
"So, we're going to evaluate everything. We're going to do what's best for the Penguins. But I mean, in one of those players' cases specifically, [Rust] means a lot to the team. He's been a part of the team for 15 years. Unless it's something that blows us away in terms of what it returns, then it could very easily be looked at to have us return to contention. That'd be a tough one. But we've got lots of calls on him. ... He's also a massive member of the Penguins."
Many questions remain about Dubas' offseason plans, but fans should be able to see results soon.
Stay tuned for all NHL free agency news.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 1 | 116 ANSWERS Eight Penguins Players Officially Hit the Free Agent Market Do you think Kyle Dubas will manage to replace the eight players likely to leave the Pittsburgh Penguins on free agency? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 54.3 % |
| No | 53 | 45.7 % |
| List of polls | ||