The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off an underwhelming season. The team finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference with 34 wins and 36 losses. The team last made the playoffs in the 2021-22 season, and despite the presence of veterans like Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson, the Penguins seem to have run out of luck. Now, a rebuild seems necessary to turn the team around.
General Manager Kyle Dubas’s strategy focuses on acquiring draft picks and prospects. He could also consider trading a franchise cornerstone or two in return for younger talent in the league. Veteran wingers with proven potential, such as Rust, could find themselves headed elsewhere. All this noise around the Pittsburgh front office’s next move has triggered significant discourse online.
Fans Did Not Mince Words in Criticizing Penguins GM
Rust and Rakell have expressed interest in continuing with the Penguins. Rust, for instance, would like to stay until the team regains its past honor: “I want to be here until we’re good again.”
But he does not enjoy the protection of a no-trade clause, which gives Penguins management complete control over the player’s future. In fact, had the Carolina Hurricanes not acquired Nikolaj Ehlers, the team could have gone for either of them.
Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson could be traded, but Dubas is seeking the right price. Notwithstanding the hefty price tags, it could be possible for not just one but two trades to take place before the training camp.
Josh Yohe: Re Penguins: “A big trade or two feels likely before training camp” “Dubas hasn’t received offers that meet his liking yet but he is fully committed to a rebuild” – The Athletic (7/28)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 31, 2025
Penguins fans criticized Dubas harshly, questioning his moves and the possibility of big trades before training camp. One fan stated that two trades seem excessive for the Penguins and the league overall.
A big trade or two feels unlikely for the entire league, let alone for Pittsburgh specifically
— nyyrmdt (@NYyrMDt) July 31, 2025
Another bluntly stated that Dubas is not working in the best interest of the Penguins.
He’s committed to a tanking. Fixed it
— ItWasJustaDog (@berkey_eric) July 31, 2025
A couple of social media users urged Pittsburgh management to expedite the trades. One fan reiterated the dominant belief that Rust or Rakell is the most likely to be traded.
Rakell or Rust, it has to be. #LetsGoPens
— End 2 End Hockey (@end2end_hockey) July 31, 2025
Yet another suggested that Crosby be traded to the Colorado Avalanche.
Trade Crosby to the avalanche you cowards! @penguins
— DavidNola (@DavidNola985) July 31, 2025
Dubas looks poised to make a trade or two, but he is waiting for the right deal. Players like Rust and Rakell are reliable on ice and have proven experience as point producers, and the Penguins’ front office will not let them go cheap.
