It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re into the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the teams that didn’t make the post-season are still being talked about. Plenty of changes could be on the horizon to get these clubs back into contention. We could see anything from re-toolings to complete roster teardowns. Some clubs have draft picks and prospects to use as capital to make overhauls happen. One team that has plenty of draft picks is the Pittsburgh Penguins. This edition of NHL rumours deals with how they could weaponize that this off-season.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Pittsburgh Penguins Could Use Draft Picks for Roster Changes
Rumour: Wes Crosby of NHL.com speculated on how the Penguins might use some of their numerous draft picks to change up their roster.
Analysis: Pittsburgh has amassed 30 draft picks over the next three drafts. This includes four first-round selections and 18 in the first three rounds. Having all this draft capital could be beneficial to general manager Kyle Dubas as he tries to reshape the roster.
The Penguins have been trying to get younger by adding prospects and picks in the last couple of season. Pittsburgh has been a seller at the last couple of trade deadlines. This has allowed Dubas to stockpile choices and younger players.
Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan said that the club could use some of that capital to get help right now. Having the luxury of this many picks and youngsters could allow the team to be aggressive in making acquisitions in the off-season.
Pittsburgh has missed the post-season the last two seasons in a row. Dubas made some big splashes in getting Erik Karlsson early in his tenure. However, that and other deals have not yielded a return to the playoffs.
What It Means
Sullivan said that the Penguins would like to see this team return to contention. Pittsburgh is still getting elite play from team captain Sidney Crosby. Dubas and company would love to get another deep playoff run or two before Crosby calls it a career. It would be a tough sight to see one of the best players in league history round out his career as part of a rebuilding squad.
The Penguins still have some talented players in Crosby, Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin and others on the roster. Pittsburgh has some things to sort out like its defence, depth and goaltending situation. However, there are some talented players on the top-half of its lineup.
Dubas and Pittsburgh have a projected $23 million in salary cap space in the coming off-season. This could be used to patch some holes in the lineup and get the Penguins back on track. The projected rising cap and the chance to play with Crosby might be able to attract some talented players to the Steel City.
This season will be a critical one for Dubas and the Penguins. Pittsburgh may be able to use all those draft picks to make some changes.
Main photo by: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
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