Kyle Dubas’ Deadline Moves Setting the Penguins up for Long-Term Success – The Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

Spring is here, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the middle of a playoff race. Since coming to Pittsburgh in the summer of 2023, general manager (GM) Kyle Dubas has stuck to his plan, and it has started working earlier than anyone anticipated. The NHL trade deadline is officially in the rearview, and Dubas once again made moves for the future. 

Dubas Is Playing the Long Game 

Even though the Penguins are on the brink of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, Dubas played it relatively safe at the deadline because he is thinking long term. The New York Islanders, for example, opted to make a huge move because of their current position in the playoff picture. They acquired Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a 2026 first- and third-round pick, Jonathan Drouin and goalie prospect Marcus Gildof. 

Islanders GM Mathieu Darche no doubt wanted to reward his team for their performance this season and help get them into the playoffs. However, this move was a little risky. The team is starting to run out of draft picks and cap space, and their current players are going to need contracts pretty soon. Drafting Matthew Schaefer with the first pick in last year’s draft was a game changer for New York. They are obviously trying to maximize his success and potential, but they are walking a very thin line. 

Dubas made his big moves before the trade deadline. He traded Tristan Jarry at the beginning of December to the Oilers and picked up Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets at the end of the month. He also added Samuel Girard from the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 24. He did make a trade at the deadline, acquiring Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. 

Soderblom is 24 years old and played in 39 games this season for the Red Wings. He recorded two goals and one assist. At 6-foot-8 and 252 pounds, the young forward definitely brings size to the table. He is the type of player Dubas likes to go after: players in their early to mid-20s who are struggling and need a change of scenery. It worked out well with Chinakhov, who fit right into the lineup. 

Soderblom is signed through the 2026-27 season, and his contract has an average annual value (AAV) of $1.125 million. He will more than likely get a little bit of playing time in what is left of the regular season while the Penguins are still getting healthy. He adds more depth to the organization and will hopefully be a solid contributor next season. 

Penguins Are Way Ahead of Schedule 

No one can deny that the Penguins are way ahead of where most people thought they would be at this point in their rebuild. Dubas played it safe at the trade deadline because he could. With all the draft picks he has stockpiled, all the prospects his team has and the rising cap, he has put Pittsburgh in a good position. In addition to all of that, the big names on his roster are locked up for a while. 

Related: 6 Most Impactful Deals of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline

Dubas’s job is to see the big picture. The Penguins have struggled a bit since coming back from the Olympic break without captain Sidney Crosby. However, the GM did not make any deadline moves based on their current status. He stuck to his plan because it is working. His team will most likely make the playoffs this season, and he is working to ensure they continue to make the postseason for years to come.