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Young Former First Overall Pick May Be Hitting the Trade Block, Kyle Dubas Must Act
Alexis Lafreniere hasn't quite lived up to expectations in New York, and now there's a chance that Kyle Dubas can make a push to land the former No. 1 pick.
Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly looking for young, NHL ready talent to lead them into the future, and with the connections to Marco Rossi and Mason McTavish among others this off-season, there's clearly interest in players league wide from the team.
While they've added talent in the draft, they're yet to make a major splash in a deal this off-season, and now, a very intriguing opportunity from a division rival may have officially presented itself.
Slow Start Could Force Pittsburgh Into Franchise-Changing Decision
Despite speculation that the Penguins could move some veterans, they're yet to do that, and if they get off to a slow start in 2025/26 like many expect them too, Dubas' hand may officially be forced.
In Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust and Erik Karlsson, the team have valuable assets that may net them a talented young piece of the future, with a former No. 1 overall pick potentially in play.
Kyle Dubas Prepared to Explore Big-Market Moves for the Penguins
Recently, David Pagnotta speculated that if the New York Rangers get off to a slow start this season, their hand too may be forced, noting that they may finally be ready to make the bold move of trading Alexis Lafreniere, the former No. 1 overall pick.
Lafreniere, do they look at that? To try to make a big bold hockey type move?; I think almost everything would be under consideration if this team gets off to a poor start.
It's unclear exactly what it would take to land Lafreniere, as he hasn't lived up to expectations as a No. 1 overall pick yet, but if the Penguins can potentially use their combination of veterans and future picks to land the star winger, who could be a centrepiece of the team for years to come.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 26 | 30 ANSWERS Young Former First Overall Pick May Be Hitting the Trade Block, Kyle Dubas Must Act Will the Rangers move Alexis Lafreniere this season? | ||
| Yes | 16 | 53.3 % |
| No | 14 | 46.7 % |
| List of polls | ||