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Kyle Dubas' month of moves is changing the Penguins now and later
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Penguins urgency is real, and Stuart Skinner plus Kyle Dubas moves are pushing the standings needle.
Over the last month, Dubas has flipped one shaky bet into two roster fits and a future pick.
Add a smart Blake Lizotte extension and an Egor Chinakhov swing, and it suddenly looks intentional.
The pivot was the December 12 deal, Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin out, Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak in, plus a 2029 second.
On cap hit alone it's a reset, Jarry at $5.375 million against Skinner's $2.6 million.
Since December 30, Skinner is 4-1-0 with seven goals allowed, and ESPN's log shows 114 saves on 121 shots.
That's roughly a .942 stretch, and Pittsburgh's D has played simpler in front of him.
Overall, Skinner's year is sitting around a 2.7 goals-against with a .894 save percentage between Edmonton and Pittsburgh.
That's not Vezina stuff, but it's steadier than the chaos the crease had become.
Stuart Skinner steadies Pittsburgh Penguins push
As a fan, I notice the bench stays calm when Skinner freezes the first rebound.
Kulak matters too, because his tight gaps let Kris Letang pick spots instead of chasing rushes.
He's a $2.75 million defender who can take hard minutes without stealing touches from the kids.
The post that kicked off today's debate is here.
Monday, the Penguins locked Blake Lizotte through 2028-29 at a $2.25 million AAV, and he's earned it.
He has 10 points in 35 games, plays 2:32 a night shorthanded, and Pittsburgh is 20-9-6 when he dresses.
The other future-now play was Egor Chinakhov, acquired December 29 for Danton Heinen and two picks, including a 2026 second.
The 24-year-old, drafted 21st in 2020, already has three goals and one assist in eight Penguins games, mostly off clean entries and a quick release.
Put it together and the Penguins sit 22-14-10, holding third in the Metro while the bottom-six finally gives Crosby honest rest.
Now the next milestone is simple, keep banking points into February and see if Dubas can find one more upgrade without gutting the cupboard.
Also read on HockeyUnplugged :
Metropolitan Division team acquires young 22-year-old defenseman in trade with Sharks
Metropolitan Division team acquires young 22-year-old defenseman in trade with Sharks
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 16|115 ANSWERS Kyle Dubas' month of moves is changing the Penguins now and later Are the Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak moves the real turning point for the Pittsburgh Penguins? | ||
| Yes keep going | 87 | 75.7 % |
| Too early | 28 | 24.3 % |
| List of polls | ||