Just days before the NHL season picks off before the Pittsburgh Penguins, General Manager Kyle Dubas spent some time with the media offering a lot of insight on the team and his approach.
The Penguins have missed the playoffs the last two seasons and Penguins fans are running out of patience. The core four of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson are not going to be playing hockey forever and especially at the level they are playing at. Pittsburgh in the playoffs should be the standard not the expectation with this roster.
Dubas understands that and has a strong belief the Penguins will be in the playoffs this season.
Penguins Underdog?
Ever since the core three of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang came to Pittsburgh they have been one of the most dominant trios of all-time. The trio has three Stanley Cups and 16 playoff experiences. However, it seems like a lot of people have given up on the Penguins and no longer view them as a threat. For the first time in what seems like awhile, the Penguins are underdogs.
“We are not favoured by anybody to accomplish anything… We will have to earn it through practice, the gym, and every game we play.”
That is an excellent response by Kyle Dubas as he embraces and understands the Penguins underdog mentality this season and wants to rewrite the ship. He also mentions, “This season and this chapter represents the change to change the story.” Dubas understands and is working towards a new era of Penguins hockey.
Beat The Teams You Are Supposed Too
The past two years, the Penguins have struggled to beat the bad teams and throw points away. Losing to the bad teams and not taking advantage of the easy two points has cost the Penguins. Two seasons ago, all the Penguins had to do was beat one of the Chicago Blackhawks and Columbus Blue Jackets to get to the playoffs and the Penguins lost to them both. Last season, the Penguins could not defeat the Detroit Red Wings.
In addition, the Penguins had many games last season where they blew the lead often and could not close the game. One of them was against the Buffalo Sabres (another bad team). Dubas addressed that in his press conference.
“If you look back there were so many games given away, blown leads to lottery teams at the end… I expect a lot more urgency for all 82 games.”
Bottom-Six Group
The role of a bottom-six forward or at least their primary goal is to defend and help kill penalties. The Penguins bottom-six has rotated constantly throughout the years and has not been solid since the Penguins won the Stanley Cup back in 2017. Dubas spent a lot of time and money in the offseason in hopes that this unit will contribute offensively as well.
“We need to get away from the ‘bottom-six has to defend’ idea. We need to score… It’s not just one or the other.” Dubas’ rejuvenated bottom six now consists of new players such as Rutger McGroarty, Kevin Hayes, and Cody Glass. Anthony Beauvillier would most likely be there as well once Bryan Rust returns.
Free Agency Approach
As mentioned earlier, Dubas brought in a lot of new players. Also not mentioned was forward Blake Lizotte and defenceman Matt Grzelcyk. With tons of talent available, Kyle Dubas could have spent a lot of money on one player such as a reunion of Jake Guentzel. However, he chose to spread out the cap space and improve the roster as much as possible including improving the depth. In addition, instead of long-term contracts, Dubas focused on one and two-year deals.
“We took a particular focus on players with short-term contracts with something to prove… as opposed to handing out a massive contract or two.”
Younger Core Approach
In addition, the Penguins also did something that has not been done in awhile and focus on the youth movement. Rookie Rutger McGroarty who was traded for in the offseason made the NHL roster and will make his NHL debut on the third line. McGroarty earned the roster spot as he showcased his talents and then some in the preseason. Penguins fans will be excited to have McGroarty on the team for awhile.
Dubas also has high praise for McGroarty when he mentioned, “Rutger McGroarty has earned his spot. He’s smart, competitive and I’m happy for him that he starts the day on the NHL roster.”
In addition to McGroarty, Jack St. Ivany also made the opening night roster on the third defensive pairing with Graves. St. Ivany appeared in 14 games last season, but will now be used in a more prominent role.
Ryan Graves Bounce Back
Ryan Graves is entering his second season as the Penguins defenceman after signing a rather large contract a couple of off-season’s ago. Kyle Dubas has the right idea signing him. His first season was one him and Penguins fans would like to forget as he had just 14 points and 40 giveaways. However, Dubas has faith he will have a better season as he mentions his expectation is he will bounce back this season.
Dubas has a lot of faith in this team and expects them to be in the playoffs this upcoming season. Their first test to that goal begins Thursday against the rival New York Rangers.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
