Wish Dubas all the best. I enjoyed and appreciated his time here in Toronto. Dubas is an excellent numbers driven people manager. He’s a terrible contract negotiator and sometimes IMO too loyal to the point that big decisions are sometimes made with the heart rather than the mind and can be harmful in the grand scheme of things. Sorry to see him go but Leafs needed a new direction (and probably still do with coaching/personnel). I think he’s a better fit for the Pens than the Leafs. Pens have an excellent, although aged core, and they need a guy that can find excellent value at low cost to surround their talent and leadership core.

Agreed. If they coach has a certain style/system he wants to play, it's in the best interest of a winning organization for the GM to help him realize that kind of team. Whether or not those players are available is a different story, but at least have a roadmap.
- jmatchett383

Yup... And we often complained around here about Sully and the GMs not being on the same page, or seemingly not being on the same page.

The fact that he said "not get hemmed in their zone," was the exact type of comment I wanted to hear.
- j.boyd919

That comment put a big old smile on my face.

Wish Dubas all the best. I enjoyed and appreciated his time here in Toronto. Dubas is an excellent numbers driven people manager. He’s a terrible contract negotiator and sometimes IMO too loyal to the point that big decisions are sometimes made with the heart rather than the mind and can be harmful in the grand scheme of things. Sorry to see him go but Leafs needed a new direction (and probably still do with coaching/personnel). I think he’s a better fit for the Pens than the Leafs. Pens have an excellent, although aged core, and they need a guy that can find excellent value at low cost to surround their talent and leadership core.
- Turnitaround

Seems like those were the best moves for Dubas were the supporting cast.

Although we will gladly take Nylander off your hands for a Bryan Rust and Nathan Legare.

Couple more points…

1. Funny how fans here made fun of Dubas for 5 years as Leafs GM. Moment he goes to Pitt many of the same fans talk so glowingly of him and chastise the Leafs for firing him…fickle ..fandom

2. Kyper made a great observation yesterday on his show….Dubas will be looking to surround himself with his guys…only natural of course. Cue Brandon Pridham (capologist extraordinaire) from the Leafs and this other Spezza guy

Seems like those were the best moves for Dubas were the supporting cast.

Although we will gladly take Nylander off your hands for a Bryan Rust and Nathan Legare.
- j.boyd919

This does not fit my trade all of our bad players for all of their good players agenda

some quotes from Sully and a Molinari article:

During an online session with reporters Friday morning, coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged that the Penguins have multiple areas to address before next season, and cited one that he considers particularly significant: Speed.

Skating was a hallmark of Sullivan’s Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2016 and 2017, but as the Penguins have gotten older, they’ve also gotten a bit slower. Or so it seems, anyway, if only because the rest of the league has been stressing that aspect of the game in recent seasons.

The Penguins don’t overwhelm opponents with their skating anymore; they’re sometimes hard-pressed just to keep up.

That, Sullivan suggested, is something that will be a priority for the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, to focus on upgrading this summer.

“Speed has always been an important element (of the Penguins’ success in recent seasons),” he said. “I think speed is part of the evolution of the game. You look at the teams that are having success in the league, none of them are slow.

“I think that’s an aspect we can improve. There’s lots of other areas that I think we’ve looked at — we can talk for a long time on this subject — but if I were to point to one aspect, I think that’s an area we could look to improve.

“I also think it’s feasible (to do so). We have an opportunity in this offseason to try to surround our (core) group with what it needs to have success.”

The final call on personnel moves fall go to Dubas, who plans to serve as interim general manager until at least sometime in July.

Sullivan said he “had not had a prior relationship with Kyle, up until the last week or so,” but that his early discussions with Dubas indicate their philosophies appear to be in synch.

“Kyle and I have had a couple of conversations, just around the identity of the Penguins, how the Penguins have had success,” he said. “Trying to set the team up to play to their strengths.”

Couple more points…

1. Funny how fans here made fun of Dubas for 5 years as Leafs GM. Moment he goes to Pitt many of the same fans talk so glowingly of him and chastise the Leafs for firing him…fickle ..fandom

2. Kyper made a great observation yesterday on his show….Dubas will be looking to surround himself with his guys…only natural of course. Cue Brandon Pridham (capologist extraordinaire) from the Leafs and this other Spezza guy
- Turnitaround

Fans here = Grinder apparently

This does not fit my trade all of our bad players for all of their good players agenda
- Victoro311

True, my bad.

Granlund and Legare for Nylander.

Couple more points…

1. Funny how fans here made fun of Dubas for 5 years as Leafs GM. Moment he goes to Pitt many of the same fans talk so glowingly of him and chastise the Leafs for firing him…fickle ..fandom

2. Kyper made a great observation yesterday on his show….Dubas will be looking to surround himself with his guys…only natural of course. Cue Brandon Pridham (capologist extraordinaire) from the Leafs and this other Spezza guy
- Turnitaround

I don't know anyone on this board that made fun of Dubas specifically, outside Grinder.

True, my bad.

Granlund and Legare for Nylander.
- j.boyd919

There it is.

Hey we see big ticket guys go for far less when they’re on the outs because the team has no leverage. Granlund = a second round pick. Probably have to sweeten it but that’s a good start!

Yup... And we often complained around here about Sully and the GMs not being on the same page, or seemingly not being on the same page.
- MattStrat

Sullivan: Can we get a good top-pair defender? I heard Jacob Chychrun is avaiable.

Hextall: You'll get a has-been 3rd line black hole of a center and like it.

some quotes from Sully and a Molinari article:

During an online session with reporters Friday morning, coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged that the Penguins have multiple areas to address before next season, and cited one that he considers particularly significant: Speed.

Skating was a hallmark of Sullivan’s Stanley Cup-winning teams in 2016 and 2017, but as the Penguins have gotten older, they’ve also gotten a bit slower. Or so it seems, anyway, if only because the rest of the league has been stressing that aspect of the game in recent seasons.

The Penguins don’t overwhelm opponents with their skating anymore; they’re sometimes hard-pressed just to keep up.

That, Sullivan suggested, is something that will be a priority for the Pittsburgh Penguins, led by new president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas, to focus on upgrading this summer.

“Speed has always been an important element (of the Penguins’ success in recent seasons),” he said. “I think speed is part of the evolution of the game. You look at the teams that are having success in the league, none of them are slow.

“I think that’s an aspect we can improve. There’s lots of other areas that I think we’ve looked at — we can talk for a long time on this subject — but if I were to point to one aspect, I think that’s an area we could look to improve.

“I also think it’s feasible (to do so). We have an opportunity in this offseason to try to surround our (core) group with what it needs to have success.”

The final call on personnel moves fall go to Dubas, who plans to serve as interim general manager until at least sometime in July.

Sullivan said he “had not had a prior relationship with Kyle, up until the last week or so,” but that his early discussions with Dubas indicate their philosophies appear to be in synch.

“Kyle and I have had a couple of conversations, just around the identity of the Penguins, how the Penguins have had success,” he said. “Trying to set the team up to play to their strengths.”
- j.boyd919

I would put down good money that they try to dump Petry or Rutta and bring in at least two better puck moving D. One LD and on RD. Probably just use Smith as a trade chip if they can't find anyone in free agency.

rather ironic Dubas got Burke's job after he criticized him on how he handled Nylander's contract .

I would put down good money that they try to dump Petry or Rutta and bring in at least two better puck moving D. One LD and on RD. Probably just use Smith as a trade chip if they can't find anyone in free agency.
- burgh4life87

Not sure I understand why they'd do that though. He's exactly what they need. Skates well, offensive minded Dman they can put on the 3rd pair.

rather ironic Dubas got Burke's job after he criticized him on how he handled Nylander's contract .
- Alexzanki

Burke has been saying Toronto should trade Nylander for about 4 years now lol

Not sure I understand why they'd do that though. He's exactly what they need. Skates well, offensive minded Dman they can put on the 3rd pair.
- j.boyd919

Assuming that POJ makes the jump to second pair that could work. Wasn't sure if he was ready to be that type of guy.

Burke has been saying Toronto should trade Nylander for about 4 years now lol
- j.boyd919

People seem to like him. Apparently he’s a cool guy. I am stoked he’s not making decisions for my hockey club anymore.

Sullivan: Can we get a good top-pair defender? I heard Jacob Chychrun is avaiable.

Hextall: You'll get a has-been 3rd line black hole of a center and like it.
- jmatchett383

The second pairing that could have been of Chychrun-Marino will haunt me to the end of days.

Another good part of the Molinari piece
Sullivan did not divulge what he tell Dubas, but indicated that he would not dismiss the idea of going with two relatively equal goaltenders, rather than having a clear No. 1 and a backup. That’s a formula several teams have used successfully in this year’s playoffs.

“When you look at the evolution of the league, there aren’t a lot of goaltenders in today’s game … that go wire-to-wire and play 70-plus games, plus playoffs,” he said. “There might be a couple that approach that, but the majority of the league, I think, has evolved into a different model, so to speak, on how they utilize their goaltenders.

Assuming that POJ makes the jump to second pair that could work. Wasn't sure if he was ready to be that type of guy.
- burgh4life87

The Pens D isn't THAT bad.

Petts-Letang
POJ-Petry
Smith-Rutta

isn't the worst defense group.
I'd prefer someone a little more physical on the 3rd pair like Gudas but there's not a ton of guys in FA I'm enamored with, and Gudas is about to get overpaid.

Gavrikov from LA could be an option.

Will be curious to see if he tries to get out of Petry's contract. If he does, Ghostisbere, Severson, Clifton, Soucy become options for that 2RD.

The second pairing that should have been of Chychrun-Marino will haunt me to the end of days.
- Victoro311

ftfy

The Pens D isn't THAT bad.

Petts-Letang
POJ-Petry
Smith-Rutta

isn't the worst defense group.
I'd prefer someone a little more physical on the 3rd pair like Gudas but there's not a ton of guys in FA I'm enamored with, and Gudas is about to get overpaid.

Gavrikov from LA could be an option.

Will be curious to see if he tries to get out of Petry's contract. If he does, Ghostisbere, Severson, Clifton, Soucy become options for that 2RD.
- j.boyd919

I'm the biggest Ghost fan there is, still pulling for him.

But the only way to make him effective at 5v5 is to pair him with a dependable defensive defenseman with good mobility, because he has to take risks to be effective. Don't know if the Pens have one of those to spare for him.

I'm the biggest Ghost fan there is, still pulling for him.

But the only way to make him effective at 5v5 is to pair him with a dependable defensive defenseman with good mobility, because he has to take risks to be effective. Don't know if the Pens have one of those to spare for him.
- jmatchett383

Yeah that sounds like Petts but Letang needs him.

The Pens D isn't THAT bad.

Petts-Letang
POJ-Petry
Smith-Rutta

isn't the worst defense group.
I'd prefer someone a little more physical on the 3rd pair like Gudas but there's not a ton of guys in FA I'm enamored with, and Gudas is about to get overpaid.

Gavrikov from LA could be an option.

Will be curious to see if he tries to get out of Petry's contract. If he does, Ghostisbere, Severson, Clifton, Soucy become options for that 2RD.
- j.boyd919