Dubas signed a 7 year deal. I can only assume, rebuilding was in the discussion when they hired him. Whatever you think of Dubas, no GM can do a rebuild in one year when your best players are all nearing 40. Next year will definitely be another season just like this one. They really don't have any other options.
- madmike71

Feels like they’ve been trying to figure it out since pre Covid.

Last year should have been full on rebuild.

I think they need to trend up by next year on Dubas moves.

Feels like they’ve been trying to figure it out since pre Covid.

Last year should have been full on rebuild.

I think they need to trend up by next year on Dubas moves.
- sammy87

Since covid.... 3 GM's, new ownership, stale af coach, old players, no prospects from years of "going for it", flat cap.

New ownership stepped on a rake the minute they extended Sully by 3 years when he had 2 years remaining on his current deal. How stupid was that?

Dubas has f'd up some things for sure, but bad times were inevitable.

This is not my sources just me thinking. I wonder if it would make sense with Buffalo, Anaheim, and potentially Utah being interested in Rakell and a few teams interested in Karlsson if a 3 way deal would make sense with both Rakell and Karlsson in the deal. The team could retain some cap space while we still get a good return.

Lets say Rakell nets us a 1st plus top prospect/young player, plus a 3rd and lesser prospect. Wouldn't we all give up the 3rd and lesser prospect for a team to retain on him and us get a better deal on Karlsson? It would be crazy to think, but the possibility of landing additional 1st round picks and a young player/good prospect seems possible in this market for each (if we had a team retain on Karlsson).

We could always turn around and trade the multiple 1sts for someone like Peterka either today or in the offseason.

Alright boys, started this day off with a black coffee and a Marlboro menthol. Excited for disappointment.

I do wonder if we are going to do anything today. I will keep you updated if my friend lets me know anything. I assume he will be busy today, but you never know. I do wonder if they will be quiet. I know they like the pieces that we have, but I think we are all thinking the same way. The prices will never be higher! It is the time to sell! sell! sell!!

You guys might not be old enough to get this one.

For what people are getting right now, we can get a top prospect who can hum with Sid and 3 picks to go along with it.

I’ve defended Dubas for a while now but this TDL is such an opportunity that him screwing it up will have lasting effects.
- Brownsoldier

I don't think Nelsons return is indicative of what the Pens can get. He fills the one massive hole the Avs has. They are in win now and this ups their odds.

Teams overpay when they are getting exactly what they need, not just to get a good player in a good contract. So who NEEDS a good not great top six RW?

The risk to Dubas is that Vancouver could say (frank) it and just trade Boeser without trying to replace him.

You guys might not be old enough to get this one.
- MickV

that is exactly what I was thinking when I typed it!!

Incredible return for the Islanders on a pending UFA Brock Nelson.... either a 26 or 27 1st round pick, a 3rd round pick, and Colorado's best prospect who was ranked #19 in the NHL's top 100 prospects.

Folks, if Dubas sticks the landing tomorrow with Rackell, he could easily move the Penguins' rebuild up a year or so.
- SuperHenderson13

Insanity. I'm at the point if Dubas can't get 2 premium assets for Rackell I'll be disappointed.

I find it funny that Dallas won't finalize this deal with Carolina until an extension is signed....Makes Carolina look dumb. Why did they not do this?

Insanity. I'm at the point if Dubas can't get 2 premium assets for Rackell I'll be disappointed.
- Tojo.

All Dubas has to say after if he doesnt sell at these prices is the right deal just wasnt there and everybody will agree.
I know Ive said it for 4 or 5 days but... these prices are insane!
Dreger saying the ask on Ristolainen is a 1st, prospect and a roster player hahaha
Other reports have it as a 1st and a teams TOP prospect or top young roster player

All Dubas has to say after if he doesnt sell at these prices is the right deal just wasnt there and everybody will agree.
I know Ive said it for 4 or 5 days but... these prices are insane!
Dreger saying the ask on Ristolainen is a 1st, prospect and a roster player hahaha
Other reports have it as a 1st and a teams TOP prospect or top young roster player
- pens4life-66

I believe we are looking for that same price for Rakell. I could see Dubas wanting prospects and young talent over picks which might be too big of an ask. I agree 100% that he will use those words if he doesn't end up moving someone be it Rak, Grz, Beau. Or he will say we felt as though we were "more competitive" with them on our roster.

All Dubas has to say after if he doesnt sell at these prices is the right deal just wasnt there and everybody will agree.
I know Ive said it for 4 or 5 days but... these prices are insane!
Dreger saying the ask on Ristolainen is a 1st, prospect and a roster player hahaha
Other reports have it as a 1st and a teams TOP prospect or top young roster player
- pens4life-66

Again, we have a few MUST trades imo (gryz,bouvoulie, acciari) with a few hours left before the TDL. Every hour that goes by without one of these musts not being traded, I have less and less confidence.

Again, we have a few MUST trades imo (gryz,bouvoulie, acciari) with a few hours left before the TDL. Every hour that goes by without one of these musts not being traded, I have less and less confidence.
- Brownsoldier

I agree with this. I would assume Beau, Acciari and Grz would land us something of value. Even if we packaged players together to get a bigger return.

I’d think Dallas and Carolina deal possibly falling through is good for the Pens. Rakell would be a solid consolation prize for the Stars.

We had some discussions with Buffalo. Again Peterka and/or Benson were discussed. McGroarty from our side and picks. Unsure how deep talks were. We don't seem to have quite the items unless we make a deal or two to pull it off, but there were some talks.


Rakell has an 8 team no trade list and Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton are on it. All teams who asked about him. Winnipeg had a very strong offer with Brad Lambert potentially offered ++. Rakell does prefer to move to the west coast (personally feel Anaheim or Utah as a potential fit).

Detroit may be a team to watch on Grzelcyk or another eastern team.

I’d think Dallas and Carolina deal possibly falling through is good for the Pens. Rakell would be a solid consolation prize for the Stars.
- drummer829

Teams are offering Rantanen 12-13million per season. Apparently his ask is "well above 14 million".

All Dubas has to say after if he doesnt sell at these prices is the right deal just wasnt there and everybody will agree.
I know Ive said it for 4 or 5 days but... these prices are insane!
Dreger saying the ask on Ristolainen is a 1st, prospect and a roster player hahaha
Other reports have it as a 1st and a teams TOP prospect or top young roster player
- pens4life-66

Honestly, I wouldn't buy it if he said he couldn't find an acceptable deal on this market. I'll believe he either failed at finding a deal or decided he just wanted to keep Rackell. And I won't agree with either.

Honestly, I wouldn't buy it if he said he couldn't find an acceptable deal on this market. I'll believe he either failed at finding a deal or decided he just wanted to keep Rackell. And I won't agree with either.
- Tojo.

He could be really aiming for a home run deal as well and then fall short.

He could be really aiming for a home run deal as well and then fall short.
- MattStrat

It sounds like he is, but I hope if he doesn't find it, he still circles back to something good. Have to take advantage of the situation.

I’d think Dallas and Carolina deal possibly falling through is good for the Pens. Rakell would be a solid consolation prize for the Stars.
- drummer829

Cant hurt. Stars are 1 of the teams I said asked about Rakell and its pretty clear they are looking for a forward now. Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel for Rak and schenn or Grz would push this rebuild/retool/re set WAY ahead

Wyatt Johnson would be who I would throw a huge RFA contract at in the summer if I was Dubas. They have Harley coming up to sign as well.

Personally I would say heck with it. Tell Buffalo we want both! Trade Rak for a 1st prospect/young player and another pick/prospect. I would then turn around and trade Buffalo two 1sts (rangers pick and the pick we acquire in the Rakell deal) and McGroarty and maybe other picks (2nd potentially from a Grz deal and 3rd)/prospects and try to land both Peterka and Benson.

So overall we would have Peterka, Benson, and the other young player/prospect from the Rak deal who can all join our roster this season/next. Plus Novak. I think that would really change this team for next season.

You add another star talent like Marner and some solid young Defenseman who can actually play a solid game to help out our Goalies.


Peterka - Crosby - Rust
Koivunen- Malkin - Marner
Benson - Novak - Tomasino
Glass - Lizotte - Imama


Gavrikov - Pionk
young player/prospect from Rakell deal- Letang
Pickering- Schenn
Kolyachonok


This doesn't account for us getting a player who might look good in the draft and who might be able to play right away (potentially a trade up in the draft as well). Plus what we can get back in a Karlsson deal.

Cant hurt. Stars are 1 of the teams I said asked about Rakell and its pretty clear they are looking for a forward now. Mavrik Bourque and Lian Bichsel for Rak and schenn or Grz would push this rebuild/retool/re set WAY ahead

Wyatt Johnson would be who I would throw a huge RFA contract at in the summer if I was Dubas. They have Harley coming up to sign as well.
- pens4life-66

Oh man! Can you please be our new GM?

Oh man! Can you please be our new GM?

- 123Kid

Honestly surprised there hasn’t been more talk of Pens and Stars. Dubas should definitely be targetting them but doesn’t seem to be. They also have stankoven.

At these prices I don’t think Bourque and Bichsel is crazy at all. I’d go as far as retaining on Rak for 3 years and add a mid prospect or pick to get that deal. Both NHL ready players and could be your #2 center and top 4 huge LD man

Honestly surprised there hasn’t been more talk of Pens and Stars. Dubas should definitely be targetting them but doesn’t seem to be. They also have stankoven.

At these prices I don’t think Bourque and Bichsel is crazy at all. I’d go as far as retaining on Rak for 3 years and add a mid prospect or pick to get that deal. Both NHL ready players and could be your #2 center and top 4 huge LD man
- pens4life-66

You guys and all your good ideas are going to make today and next season even more disappointing when we basically run it back and fill the holes of departing players with more retreads.