Kyle Dubas faces deadline test as Sidney Crosby injury reshapes Pittsburgh Penguins trade plan

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Daniel Lucente
March 2, 2026 (10:18)

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Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Dave Molinari on Substack thinks Sidney Crosby's injury shoves Kyle Dubas into trade deadline chaos for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That theory lands because Pittsburgh isn't buried, they're sitting in a playoff spot.

As of Monday, March 2, the Penguins are 31-15-13 and second in the Metro.

Crosby has powered it all year at 27-32-59, then a lower-body injury at the Milan Olympics put him on IR for at least four weeks.

That turns every "go for it" conversation into a risk management meeting.

"Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is facing a tough decision."

- Dave Molinari

-

Dubas also has real leverage, about $10.54 million in cap space sitting open.

So this isn't "can he add," it's "what kind of add actually survives April."

You can feel the fanbase gripping the armrests, because we've watched strong stretches die when 87 leaves the room.

If Dubas buys, it should be insulation, not a splashy scorer.

Think a third-line center who wins draws and calms shifts after icings.

Think a steady defender who kills penalties and keeps the blue line from melting.

Because without Crosby driving matchups, five-on-five can get ugly fast.

If Dubas sells, it's the cold math version, protect picks, keep the pipeline, live to build.

The deadline is Friday, March 6, and Crosby's return window points to late March.

That's not much runway to learn what this team is without its heartbeat.

My read: make a small add, keep the core, and let Crosby's return decide the ceiling.

Previously on HockeyUnplugged

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MARS 2\|164 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas faces deadline test as Sidney Crosby injury reshapes Pittsburgh Penguins trade plan Should Kyle Dubas buy at the trade deadline without Sidney Crosby?
Yes	139	84.8 %
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