Reporter Blasts Kyle Dubas as the Penguins' Recent Surge Could Derail the Franchise Longterm

After being essentially left for dead last month, the Pittsburgh Penguins have suddenly thrust themselves back into the discussion of being able to claim one of the final pair of Wild Card playoff spots in the Eastern Conference - much like they did last year.

But not everyone is happy about it.

Writer Rob Rossi, who covers the Penguins for The Athletic, is thinking about the long-term implications that not securing a high draft pick could have on Pittsburgh.

He wrote on his X account:

Rossi then pointed the finger at GM Kyle Dubas and implied that he should have left his players "deflated and defeated".

The Penguins picked up Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Trade Deadline while selling off Michael Bunting, Anthony Beauvillier and Vincent Desharnais.

After a 1-7-1 stretch, the Penguins look stronger than ever and have turned the tables by going 4-1 in their last 5 games; however they lost in OT to the defending Cup champion Florida Panthers tonight in one wild rollercoaster.

Naturally, winning more games lowers their chances of landing a top Draft selection later this year. And while it may be exciting for Penguins fans to experience the thrill of a late-season push toward the playoffs, Rossi's sentiment is more about the future than the present.