NHL Insider Takes Shots At Pittsburgh Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas

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Hunter Bowman
December 8, 2023 (6:34 PM)

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Over the summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs underwent a significant management shake-up, parting ways with Kyle Dubas shortly after their season concluded with a defeat from the eventual Eastern Conference champions, the Florida Panthers. Brad Treliving, formerly the GM of the Calgary Flames, stepped in as Dubas' replacement.

Dubas swiftly found a new role as the president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, eventually taking on the position of general manager just before the regular season kicked off. One of his major moves was acquiring Erik Karlsson, the reigning Norris Trophy-winning defenseman.

Despite these strategic maneuvers, the Penguins have struggled with consistency this season, prompting a closed-door meeting following a recent defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Currently residing second to last in the Metropolitan Division, the team faces challenges.

According to TSN's Craig Button, Dubas' management decisions in his brief tenure with Pittsburgh have come under scrutiny.

"He made the same significant error in Pittsburgh this past summer as he did in Toronto," Button remarked on the sports network. "And that was signing a player they didn't need. Not that Erik Karlsson isn't a good player�he's a heck of a player. Not that John Tavares wasn't a good player, and he is a good player. They didn't need them."

Button continued his critique, emphasizing the allocation of $10 million to a player deemed unnecessary, like Erik Karlsson.

"He could have taken that money and built out the depth of his group. So, while Tampa Bay is trying to manage the talent drain, the attrition � Kyle Dubas had salary cap space. He had money to spend and didn't spend it wisely."

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