In the fast-paced world of hockey, every move made by a General Manager can make or break a team’s chances of success. For Kyle Dubas, the pressure is on as he tries to steer the Pittsburgh Penguins towards glory with an aging core group of forwards.
Dubas, who took over as GM in 2023, arrived with high expectations after a disappointing end to his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. While he has made some positive changes, his tenure with the Penguins has also seen some questionable decisions that have raised eyebrows and drawn criticism.
One of Dubas’ most criticized moves was the acquisition of forward Smith. Initially, Smith showed promise with six goals in his first 10 games. However, his performance quickly declined, leading to him being moved down the lineup. This lack of sustained offensive production tied up valuable cap space and hindered the team’s ability to build a competitive roster.
The decision to trade for Smith was meant to replace the expiring free agent Jason Zucker and provide a reliable scoring presence. Acquired for a third-round pick, Smith came at a relatively low cost. However, with a contract of 2 years at $5 million per year, his struggles on the ice made his contract too burdensome to keep. This led to him being traded just a year later, highlighting the risks of such acquisitions.
Another controversial move by Dubas was re-signing goaltender Tristan Jarry to a five-year, $5.375 million contract. Despite Jarry’s inconsistent performance history, Dubas bet on him being the long-term solution in net. However, Jarry’s erratic play since signing the contract has made it difficult for the Penguins to rely on him as their primary goaltender. The team’s cap hit from Jarry’s contract limits their flexibility in addressing other needs, potentially hindering their competitiveness.
As the pressure increases, Jarry may once again lose his starting role to backup Alex Nedeljkovic, further complicating the team’s goaltending situation. The high AAV of Jarry’s contract, combined with his uncertainty in net, places a strain on the team’s cap situation. Insider Elliott Friedman has reported that the Penguins are exploring ways to potentially move Jarry’s contract to alleviate some of the financial burden.
In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, every move made by a General Manager can have lasting consequences. For Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins, navigating the challenges of an aging core group while competing for the playoffs requires precise decision-making. The three worst moves made by Dubas so far may have hindered the Penguins’ progress, but only time will tell if they can bounce back from these setbacks and achieve success on the ice.