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Playoff hopes could prompt Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to make strategic move
NHL analyst Lyle Richardson believes Kyle Dubas should and could target a defensive forward who is good at faceoffs if the team remains competitive.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 14-10-9 this season and sit seventh in the Metropolitan Division, but they're only four points behind the third-place New York Islanders, so their playoff hopes are still alive.
Lately, things haven't gone smoothly: they've dropped seven games in a row, but there's still time to turn things around.
The type of player one NHL analyst believes Kyle Dubas should target
Recently, Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report suggested the Penguins could use an affordable two-way forward who is good at faceoffs before the 2026 NHL trade deadline.
Rather than chasing a big-name rental, Pittsburgh would be best to focus on smart, low-risk moves that help both now and in the future.
One spot that stands out is the bottom-six center position. Adding a steady, experienced player here could give the team more depth and balance.
Ideally, this would be someone under contract beyond this season and around 30 years old, someone who can contribute right away without affecting the club's long-term plans.
"Despite the club's improved performance and the goalie swap, GM Kyle Dubas is sticking with his roster retooling timeline. If the Penguins remain a playoff contender by the deadline, he could seek an affordable defensive forward to help his club in the faceoff circle," Richardson wrote.
- Lyle Richardson
- Lyle Richardson
Why Kyle Dubas will be strategic, not flashy
GM Kyle Dubas has shown a careful approach to roster changes, so any move will likely be strategic rather than flashy. Still, the right addition could help the Penguins end their losing streak and stay in the playoff mix.
With the trade deadline coming, all eyes will be on what Pittsburgh does next and whether any move can help the team regain momentum and protect its postseason chances.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 20 | 65 ANSWERS Playoff hopes could prompt Penguins GM Kyle Dubas to make strategic move Should the Penguins target this type of player if they remain competitive? | ||
| Yes | 50 | 76.9 % |
| No | 15 | 23.1 % |
| List of polls | ||