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Kyle Dubas signals aggressive move as Penguins chase playoff push
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Kyle Dubas wants a Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman before the March 6 trade deadline, and the blue line feels one hit away from chaos.
Josh Yohe reported a “growing feeling” around the league that Dubas will try to add a defenseman soon, and it tracks with how banged up this group has been.
Kris Letang’s fractured foot has already squeezed Pittsburgh’s right side, even if the expectation is he can return around the deadline window.
Jack St. Ivany’s hand injury is the other problem, because his steady minutes have mattered more than most fans expected.
Erik Karlsson has also dealt with nagging issues, and you can see why Dubas would want one more option he trusts when games tighten.
Re Penguins: "League and team sources have told me there is a growing feeling that Kyle Dubas will attempt to land a defenseman before the March 6 NHL trade deadline."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
The Penguins sit at 29-15-12, and they are not playing like a team that wants to punt a season.
Sidney Crosby has driven the bus again with 27-32-59, and wasting that kind of pace would sting.
Kyle Dubas raises the Pittsburgh Penguins urgency
Pens fans are split right now, because “add help” sounds great, but nobody wants to watch another future piece shipped out for a rental.
The fit matters too, because with Letang and Karlsson in the mix, Pittsburgh does not need another pure power-play quarterback.
They need a defender who kills plays early, wins a wall battle, and makes the first pass clean when the forecheck comes.
If Dubas shops the rental aisle, names like Timothy Liljegren, Vincent Desharnais, Nick Jensen, or Colin Miller are the type of practical bets that show up this time of year.
Cap-wise, Pittsburgh can get creative, but the real cost is always picks and prospects, not dollars.
The next few games after the Olympic pause will tell the story, because if the Penguins stay in the race, Dubas will have every excuse to swing.
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