One thing that Kyle Dubas has proven to like to do since becoming the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager is make trades. One of his most common moves is acquiring former high draft picks who are in need of a change of scenery. Dubas has constantly struck in deals surrounding players that fit that mold, and there might be another reclamation project hitting the trade block sometime soon.
It's not common that the Penguins made trades with division foes, but they have done it. They even swung a deal with the Capitals over the summer to land Hendrix Lapierre. Getting younger is something Pittsburgh would love to accomplish. According to top NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, there could be another interesting forward of note for Dubas to target.
"He's had trouble getting into the lineup; the Capitals are so deep; this guy told me there's a bunch of teams watching him," Friedman claimed about Washington's Ivan Miroshnichenko.
Landing the young winger would be something of interest for the Penguins. He's a former top pick in Washington, is young, and has talent to develop further. The biggest issue facing Pittsburgh this season has been their immense number of forwards on the roster. Miroshnichenko would only inflate those numbers and could potentially stunt his growth if he doesn't make it into the lineup.
Ivan Mirshnichenko could be perfect trade target for Pittsburgh Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas
Washington is currently in an awkward spot with the young forward. They like him, but they have too much talent in the lineup to push Ivan Miroshnichenko onto the ice. Without the ability of putting him into their lineup, barring injury, the Capitals might have to trade him instead of subjugating him to waivers.
Obviously hitting the trade block makes more sense, and that's where Dubas and the Penguins come in.
It's clear that their division rivals don't want players in return, as the reason why they would move Miroshnichenko in the first place. Pittsburgh has more than enough draft picks over the next several years to swing a deal. This is exactly the type of player Dubas is always on the search for, even if his forward group is a log jam of bodies. He could see this player as worthy of a gamble.
The Russian winger is only 22 years old and was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft. From his draft year until the start of the 2023 season, Miroshnichenko was playing in Russia. Since then, he hasn't been able to latch onto the NHL game. He has played in 53 NHL games, but the AHL is where he has been at his best. He's produced 101 points in 141 AHL games.
Breaking into the Capitals lineup hasn't been easy for Miroshnichenko, and it doesn't seem it will be anytime soon.
He's in a similar scenario to Rutger McGroarty, except the Penguins forward can be in the AHL without waivers. It will be interesting to see if Washington places the young skater on the trade block. If they do, then Kyle Dubas and the Penguins should investigate this player closely.
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