A day that was going to be interesting on many levels was most certainly intriguing as Kyle Dubas spoke on the 2025-26 season and what and where the team is heading, into the 2026-27 season with playoff hopes still in play.
Dubas was open in the sense that his team is nowhere near where a contending team should be, as he used the MTL-TBL Game 7 and MIN-COL series as comparisons to where he believes a contending team should be and play to in extent of intensity. He also stated he didn't like how his team was pushed around in round one against Philadelphia.
Dubas took full responsibility for his team not being at that level and says that the Carolina Hurricanes are a team of example to where he wants the Penguins to be in terms of comparison to competing at the top level.
Kyle also said he won't be anywhere near satisfied until the Penguins are in a position to win it all. He mentioned several times the team needs to be better, they're not where he wants the team to be, need to continue taking larger steps to be in the best spot possible.
Here are some snippets from his Media Availability.
Defensively team needs to be a lot better per Dubas
Kyle was not afraid to say that the Penguins defensive work was not at a good enough level throughout the season and especially during the playoffs, that will be something he will look to add on during the off-season.
Prospects continue to be a massive watch
Dubas was asked a lot from media about the team's prospect pool and what he has observed all season long from some players.
- KD was pleased with Ville Koivunen's overall progress this season which seems as he will be receiving another contract as he is a pending RFA.
- KD noticed that Owen Pickering was steady for them this season which is what they want from him.
- Rutger McGroarty's skating has improved he may not be offensively producing but they are happy with him in terms of where he is.
- Harrison Brunicke, they are pleased with where he is at and the development that he has made since being drafted, he could see a full time look next season.
- Dubas spoke highly of Will Horcoff's work ethic and scoring capabilities with Michigan, thrilled with his progress and feels he will be an impact player for the organization.
- Bill Zonnon praise was large from Kyle Dubas. The organization went to show him the systems and he had been watching every game and studying the systems and already knew them himself, his size, skating, versatility, and will be making his pro debut with WBS tonight against Springfield in the Atlantic Division Finals.
- Taylor Gauthier seems to be getting the WBS net next season, that's if he wants it per Kyle Dubas.
It may be big game hunting season in Penguin land
Kyle Dubas said the team needs mid-to-late 20's real difference maker players via trade and that's where he will evaluate that thoroughly this off-season, he says this team doesn't have those true young difference makers like Carolina has that will get this team to the promised land. He mentioned that he will be monitoring situations of players with other teams that have a say in where they go if they don't stick with their respective team.
Right away a guy like Robert Thomas or Jason Robertson or even Thomas Harley come to mind the moment he said those words.
Dubas said the obvious point that he won't be active in the UFA market due to lack of young players available in the market to spend on with the team's $42 million dollars in cap space.
A goalie battle is set to commence heading into camp
Kyle Dubas said that Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist will be fighting for an NHL spot next season and both have earned it.
This all but confirms that Stuart Skinner's short tenure with the Penguins has come to an end with the resurgence of Arturs Silovs in the playoffs.
Dubas loves Silovs and what he did for this team to try and claw them back into the playoff series and he may be back as one half of a goalie tandem.
Evgeni Malkin was the highest topic of conversation today
Right off the bat it was all about Geno and what his future is, in the eyes of Kyle Dubas. Dubas said that they are open to him coming back and will continue to have those conversations with his party and see if they can strike a deal. They also had a great exit interview in the words of Dubas.
Final Notes to take into account
- Dubas is pleased with Solovyov overall and how much he wants to work this off-season, said it was a no-brainier to extend him.
- Connor Dewar is a Lizotte type, zero maintenance, reliable, and valuable for a bottom-6 role, represents the Penguins in his role perfectly and was at the top of priority list, said he could have gotten more elsewhere but wanted to stay.
- Dubas spoke as if Egor Chinakhov is staying but never expressly mentioned it in his presser, so keep an eye on that.
- Anthony Mantha and Kevin Hayes more than likely are walking and will not return.
- Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson become eligible to sign extensions for 2027-28 starting July 1. Dubas stated that he, maybe once they get closer to the fall will get those done.
We will see Kyle Dubas next, at the NHL Draft in Buffalo near the end of June where he will be making another first round selection.
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