Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Finally Addresses the Media After a Busy Trade Deadline

Pittsburgh Penguins President/GM Kyle Dubas spoke to the media Friday after the trade deadline passed.

One of the busiest GMs, Dubas facilitated four transactions that amounted to five players (three traded away, two brought in) and five draft picks (four brought in, one traded away). And factor in Wednesday's Michael Bunting deal, and it's been a real doozy.

Following a year of building up assets and losing cap room, now it can be used to complete the roster.

They have so many draft picks that they should be able to wheel and deal some of them down the road. Free agency can also be used but with caution.

Rickard Rakell was very popular among teams, but considering his contract and how he performed, Dubas didn't feel it was in the best interest of the team to trade him. Teams "kicked the tires" on Matt Grzelcyk but nothing materialized.

Dubas did say that Karlsson was signed when the team was still in contention, which is now a window they've lost. He is, though, a great player. That was all the Dubas said on Karlsson, leaving lots of speculation going into the offseason.

Dubas said there is a "gigantic opportunity" for short-term signed players to prove to management they are committed. He identified Conor Timmons, Connor Dewar, and Tommy Novak as the players who can make this pitch to their coaches.

Instead of an aging core, Dubas is trying to surround key players such as Bryan Rust and Rakell in particular, with more youth. He will not be hurrying to use up all of the prospects and draft picks this off-season but rather seek out bright ones.

His goal is to give veterans an opportunity to compete once more, however, no timetable is provided.