The Pittsburgh Penguins are sitting three games below .500 and 15th in the Eastern Conference just over a month into the season. That slow start? It’s forcing GM Kyle Dubas to stare down some seriously tough decisions that could shake up the entire franchise.
Father Time Is Knocking, And He’s Not Polite
After what looked like a resurgence in the 2025-26 season, the Penguins just haven’t been able to recapture that magic. And let’s be real, you can’t ignore the elephant in the room: Father Time. This core is one of the oldest in the NHL. Even Sidney Crosby, as elite as he’s been, can’t remain a superstar forever. If this team continues to bottom out in the Eastern Conference, Dubas is going to have to make some incredibly painful calls. He’s got a bunch of star players on expiring or soon-to-be-expiring contracts, and you know other teams are already licking their chops. Erik Karlsson seems like an obvious trade candidate. Rickard Rakell, too, right?
Could Dubas Actually Trade the Icons?
The big question looming over Pittsburgh is this: if a fire sale actually happens, would Dubas go as far as shipping out a franchise icon? That’s the stuff of nightmares for any fanbase. Let’s look at who we’re talking about and their contract situations:
* Evgeni Malkin (40): 1 year, $5.5 million
* Sidney Crosby (39): 1 year, $8.7 million
* Kris Letang (39): 2 years, $6.1 million
* Erik Karlsson (36): 1 year, $10 million
* Bryan Rust (34): 2 years, $5.13 million
* Rickard Rakell (33): 2 years, $5 million
Look, it’s still early, and there are flashes of hope. The Penguins’ five-on-five numbers are actually way better than their results show. And let’s not forget, Sidney Crosby is more than capable of shaking off a slow start and exploding. But the clock is ticking, and if things don’t improve, Pittsburgh could get very interesting, very quickly. The Pens are already dropping in the power rankings, landing at No. 7 on the Biggest Movers list this week. The pressure is on for a turnaround.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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