Kyle Dubas hatches bold trade strategy to keep Sidney Crosby happy

The Pittsburgh Penguins are reportedly still busy during the offseason and rumours have hinted at possible trades coming ahead of training camp.

According to team insider Josh Yohe, speaking on the Athletic Hockey Show on August 6, the names Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell could be circulating on the trade market in the coming weeks.

If the Penguins want to make a quick turnaround and breathe new life into their aging roster, these two veteran forwards could be valuable pieces to bring in immediate yet younger help.

But what’s especially revealing is what the Penguins’ president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas is looking for. According to Yohe, Dubas isn’t particularly interested in long-term prospects or draft picks. Instead, he’s after players who are already NHL-ready.

“ I wonder what you can get in return; Kyle Dubas wants NHL ready players more than anything; what he wants are 22 year old guys that can play right now.”

So Dubas’ target could very well be skaters around 22 years old who can make an impact right now. This approach aligns with Dubas’ goal of maximizing the still-open championship window around captain Sidney Crosby, while also injecting youth into the lineup. It’s a tactic that some fans are questioning, given that the Penguins haven’t been in the playoff picture for the past three seasons.

Though Crosby has extended his contract to 2027 and many fans and pundits do no expect him to leave the Penguins, trade rumours have linked him to the Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens and just recently the Los Angeles Kings. But his loyalty to the team has been mentioned every single time a trade rumour has come up.

By trading Rust or Rakell, two productive forwards, Pittsburgh could add fresh blood without committing to a lengthy rebuild. This could be a huge news for Crosby and the organization.

The big question is what kind of return these two players could realistically fetch. But one thing seems clear: Dubas wants young, dynamic, NHL-ready talent and not long-term development projects.