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Penguins Praised by Analysts for Pulling Off One of the Offseason's Best 'Under the Radar' Trades
Photo credit: Hockey Canada
Even though Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is facing criticism for not trading Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, one acquisition is being singled out for praise.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have lots more questions than answers as the new season approaches, but one move by general manager Kyle Dubas is being singled out for attention and praise.
Acquiring Arturs Silovs May Be Kyle Dubas' Best Move So Far as Penguins GM
Goaltending was a major point of concern for the Penguins last year, as both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic struggled. Jarry was even waived and sent to the American Hockey League, while rookie Joel Blomqvist couldn't put together any consistency.
Dubas traded Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks this summer, and also acquired Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks for Chase Stillman and a 4th round pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft.
Jarry may be the starter on paper, but the acquisition of Silovs is being heralded as an underrated move by Dubas that could pay dividends. Per analyst Harman Dayal of The Athletic, Silovs is one of the best "under the radar" trades of the summer.
Silovs is a smart gamble for the Penguins at a low cost. He needs to improve his ability to handle screens and traffic at the NHL level (that's where teams exposed him last season), but his tantalizing athleticism and clutch track record in high-pressure situations are qualities worth betting on.
-Harman Dayal
-Harman Dayal
Silovs was taken 156th overall by the Canucks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, and recently helped the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks win the Calder Cup earlier in the spring.
He has a career NHL record of 8-8-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .880 SV%. He will look to challenge Jarry for the starting role with the Penguins this year, and will also face competition from Blomqvist and young Russian Sergei Murashov.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 8 | 34 ANSWERS Penguins Praised by Analysts for Pulling Off One of the Offseason's Best 'Under the Radar' Trades Is Arturs Silovs going to be the Penguins's starter this year? | ||
| Yes | 25 | 73.5 % |
| No | 9 | 26.5 % |
| List of polls | ||