Pittsburgh Penguins player Ben Kindel The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in a precarious position as the calendar flips toward the trade deadline. The franchise currently sits fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 14-8-9 record and 37 points. However, they’re only four points behind third-place New York Islanders, keeping playoff hopes alive.Pittsburgh has hit a rough patch lately, losing seven consecutive games. Despite the skid, the season remains salvageable if general manager Kyle Dubas makes the right moves.
NHL analyst suggests Pittsburgh Penguins target inexpensive two-way forward
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Lyle Richardson of Bleacher Report recently outlined what Pittsburgh should prioritize at the trade deadline. Rather than swinging for the fences on an expensive rental player, Richardson believes the Penguins need to take a more measured approach.”Despite the club’s improved performance and the goalie swap, GM Kyle Dubas is sticking with his roster retooling timeline,” Richardson wrote. “If the Penguins remain a playoff contender by the deadline, he could seek an affordable defensive forward to help his club in the faceoff circle.”The suggestion makes sense given Pittsburgh’s current situation. The franchise remains focused on retooling rather than going all-in for one final push with their aging core. Making a conservative move for a two-way center would fit that philosophy perfectly.
Why Pittsburgh Penguins would benefit from this strategy
With Pittsburgh’s bottom-six in shambles, the franchise needs some quick improvement in that department unless it wants to miss the playoffs. Without mortgaging future assets, adding a dependable defensive forward who performs well in the faceoff circle would provide value right away.However, to make the right trade, Dubas would need to find a player who meets certain criteria for the Penguins. Ideally, Pittsburgh targets someone under contract beyond this season who’s on the right side of 30. That type of acquisition would help immediately and align with the team’s longer-term retooling plans.Richardson’s emphasis on an “affordable” option is particularly important. The Penguins don’t have unlimited cap space or prospect capital to work with after years of win-now moves. They need to be smart and selective about where they allocate resources.Vulnerabilities across the lineup have been shown during Pittsburgh’s current seven-game losing run. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are two of the team’s best players, but the depth hasn’t often produced the two-way performance required for postseason success.Without needing Dubas to give up important assets, a defensive-minded center who wins faceoffs and kills penalties would strengthen a weakness. Even while they might not make headlines, players of that kind frequently come in very handy during postseason runs when special teams and defense responsibilities are elevated.Whether Dubas follows Richardson’s advice remains to be seen. The Penguins face difficult decisions in the coming months about how aggressive to be at the deadline. For now, targeting an affordable two-way forward represents a logical path forward for a team trying to balance present competitiveness with future sustainability.