Penguins on the Verge of Rebuild as Kyle Dubas Plans Shakeup Before Opening Game Against the Rangers
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The Penguins could potentially trade one or both of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust in the days leading up to their opener against former coach Mike Sullivan and the Rangers per analyst Josh Yohe.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a period of transition right now, and are on the verge of what could be a long and painful rebuild.
Potential Rust and Rakell Trades Signal a Deep Rebuild for the Penguins
They've missed the playoffs in each of the last 3 years, which is the longest drought in the NHL careers of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the latter of whom could potentially be entering his last year in the League.
They've also been trying to trade veteran forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, along with defenseman Erik Karlsson, but haven't been able to yet find a trade partner.
Moving veteran forwards like Rust and Rakell signals a willingness by GM Kyle Dubas to reset the core and prioritize future assets over short-term competitiveness. This transition comes as veteran players may be approaching the final stages of their careers.
Per Penguins analyst Josh Yohe, the Penguins could make a lineup decision with Rust and/or Rakell in the days leading up to their opener against the New York Rangers on October 7.
Josh Yohe: Re Rust and Rakell: Are they even on this team when Oct 7 rolls around? I'm not so sure they will be; I think there's a real chance at least one of them is gone before then - Athletic Hockey Show (8/6)
The Penguins open against former coach Mike Sullivan
The Penguins made a major change in leadership, as GM Kyle Dubas fired coach Mike Sullivan after nearly 10 years on the job.
In Sullivan's place is former New York Rangers assistant coach Dan Muse, along with former Penguins Stanley Cup-winning forward Nick Bonino as an assistant.
Sullivan was hired by the Rangers as their new head coach after they fired Peter Laviolette, and he can get some revenge on the Penguins and get off to a good start with his new club on October 7.
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