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Two star Pittsburgh Penguins players could be traded if slump continues past holiday break
NHL analyst Jason Mackey believes that if the Penguins' slide continues into January, Kyle Dubas may have no choice but to trade Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
It feels like a lifetime ago that the Penguins were just three points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division. Now, they've lost nine of 10 and sit perilously close to the Eastern Conference basement.
Mistakes have piled up, from overtime and shootout struggles to turnovers, poor neutral-zone play, and blown third-period leads.
What has happened to the Penguins' goaltending situation
The team's goaltending has collapsed, with a league-low .846 save percentage since Dec. 6. Tristan Jarry has been traded, while Evgeni Malkin hasn't played due to an upper-body injury.
Early-season optimism has evaporated, leaving fans frustrated as the team transitions under new ownership.
Heading into Sunday's matchup against the Blackhawks at United Center, general manager Kyle Dubas faces tough decisions. Options are limited.
Bringing in prospects like Tristan Broz, Phil Tomasino, or Boko Imama up front, Harrison Brunicke on defense after the World Juniors, or Sergei Murashov in goal are potential moves if current players can't regain form.
The bigger question: what trades, if any, will Dubas consider? Deals for Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell were off the table this offseason, but continued struggles may force a rethink, according to NHL insider Jason Mackey.
"The greater concern, should the Penguins' slide continue, involves a few trades Dubas was comfortable batting away this offseason in Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
It's a pretty simple strategy for Dubas, too.
If the Penguins are playing well enough to challenge for a playoff spot, there's no way he can make those deals. But if they're mid-freefall, what exactly would he be clinging to?"
- Jason Mackey
It's a pretty simple strategy for Dubas, too.
If the Penguins are playing well enough to challenge for a playoff spot, there's no way he can make those deals. But if they're mid-freefall, what exactly would he be clinging to?"
- Jason Mackey
The only thing that may save big trades from happening
If the Penguins can still compete for a playoff spot, major trades are unlikely. If the slide continues, the margin for maneuvering shrinks.
Even with Malkin and fourth-line center Blake Lizotte expected to return, problems remain. Rakell has just one goal in seven games post-injury, and Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau have cooled offensively since Malkin's absence.
Controllable factors must improve for Dubas to stick with his previous strategy and salvage the season.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 102 ANSWERS Two star Pittsburgh Penguins players could be traded if slump continues past holiday break Will Kyle Dubas be forced to trade Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell? | ||
| Yes | 52 | 51 % |
| No | 50 | 49 % |
| List of polls | ||