The trade deadline can be where teams begin the construction of a dynasty or where teams begin the next phase of the franchise and press the reset button.
For the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2026 after three years of utter failure, the narrative has been changed once again. The question is being asked, will the Pittsburgh Penguins be buyers come March 6, where Kyle Dubas will have the fate of the Penguins season in his hands and will traject them in the direction of playoff contention or continue to rebuild.
Selling off pieces from star player and supposed to be future captain Jake Guentzel just two years ago to the possibility of maybe just maybe acquiring a Jason Robertson type player two years later is such a huge swing in position as the Pittsburgh Penguins sit at an 89 percent chance of making the playoffs at the beginning of February, they were counted out from day one of the 2025 – 26 season.
There is still a lot of hockey yet to be played as the Olympics march on and the return is in sight for the remainder of the season. With the return marks what every general manager around the league is preparing for and that's the NHL Trade Deadline.
Here is the outlook and many of possibilities that may and can happen before the March 6 deadline.
1. The Penguins conservatively become buyers and push for one last kick at the can
Sitting second place in the division with a team no one believed in, yet here they are. Knocking on the door and have playoffs hopes in the palm of their hands and they have all the right tools and have pushed all the right buttons to be in the position they are which puts Kyle Dubas in a pickle which is having to maybe add players instead of subtracting. Pittsburgh has been an underdog story all season which has made them a dangerous hockey team with youth, speed and veteran presence and is taking a page out of the 2024-25 Washington Capitals book. Expect a purchase or two of depth defenseman from Kyle Dubas if he does in-fact commit to buying.
The Athletic's Josh Yohe spoke about the Penguins current plans ahead of March 6, and what we could possibly see go down.
"League and team sources have told me there is a growing feeling that Kyle Dubas will attempt to land a defenseman and maybe more before the March 6 NHL trade deadline"Josh Yohe on Trade Deadline Plans
2. Kyle Dubas continues on his path of rebuilding/selling and utilizing his assets while he can to further the future of the franchise
A real possibility we could see which is realistic to what Penguins fans have seen for the past three seasons, which is continuing to sell pieces off to maximize asset management and help construct more of the prospect crop to brighten the future even more.
Five Prime Trade Targets:
Connor Murphy, RHD - Chicago Blackhawks
Murphy, the 32 year-old would be a pure veteran add that will more than likely be on Kyle Dubas radar but the concerning aspect is can he adjust from a rigid system in Chicago to a fringe playoff team with now expectations? Murphy is in the last year of his four year deal at a cap hit of $4,400,000 AAV.
Braden Schneider, RHD - New York Rangers
Schneider, the 24 year-old makes the most sense of any younger defenseman available on the trade market. He fits the current and future mold of the franchise and will eat heavy minutes on a depleted right side that can use a player of his calibre with his size and skill. Schneider is in the last year of his two year deal at $2,200,000 AAV.
Ken Craig, a Credential Media Correspondent for Pittsburgh's DSEN spoke on the Pens Weekly Update Podcast about the possibility of acquiring Schneider.
"Making that move if New York would move him in division I could definitely see something like that happen, he has a lot of experience under his belt with the absence of Adam Fox."Craig on possible Schneider acquisition.
Pavel Mintyukov, LHD - Anaheim Ducks
Mintyukov, the 22 year-old is an odd man looking out in the Ducks system game in and game out and is trying to fight his way into the lineup, he fits the Dubas outlook and would be a perfect target for the Penguins to acquire at the trade deadline, he could be paired with Ryan Shea and move around the defensive core. Mintyukov is in the last year of his entry level contract at $918,333 AAV
Jason Robertson, LW,RW - Dallas Stars
If the Penguins decide they want to make a mega splash and upgrade the forward core, Jason Robertson would be that man, with the continuing looming question of his future in Dallas, the Penguins have been known to express heavy interest in the star forward if he cannot reach an agreement with Dallas on a contract extension. He would immediately become the immediate face of the franchise alongside a 38 year old Sidney Crosby and will command a heavy price in the trade and extension aspect of acquiring him. The 26 year-old phenom is in the last year of his four year deal at $7,750,000 AAV.
Shane Wright, C - Seattle Kraken
Center depth can go a long way in the playoffs and adding a player like Shane Wright could very much improve those area's. The disgruntled 22-year old is in year two of three of his entry level contract at $886,666 AAV. A change of scenery for Wright looks to be needed after sliding from being the projected first overall pick to number four in the 2024 draft.
Kyle Dubas has some heavy choices ahead of him with some pros and cons depending on the direction he decides to go, ultimately he has full autonomy as President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. He will have his crew of AGM Jason Spezza, Director of Hockey Ops and Legal Affairs Vukie Mpofu at the helm with him, Mpofu also manages the cap for the team as well.