It’s a shockingly weird ranking. McGroarty above Kindel, Murashov dead last. Just strange stuff. Is it AI?

I honestly have zero clue what Dubas is doing with this offseason.

I don’t hate every individual move. Kuzmenko, Robertson, Lapierre and Korczak all have some logic behind them. But how does any of this fit together?

We’re supposedly getting younger, but we’re adding older veterans. We’re trying to compete with Sid, but we’re not making moves that make us a serious Cup contender.

The defense makes even less sense: FOUR RDs and TWO LDs. We dumped our two best LDs in exchange for two RDs. I don’t know why we hung on to Girard when it’s clear he can’t play with Letang nor Karlsson. What is the plan there?

Then there’s Koivunen.

8 years, $4M AAV. I honestly don’t even see him making the NHL opening-night roster. That’s one of the most confusing contracts I’ve ever seen a Penguins GM make.

We also let Anthony Mantha walk on an extremely reasonable contract after he scored 33 goals. If we’re trying to compete now, that makes zero sense to me.

And I’m increasingly worried about the prospect development side of this. Our AHL team is going to be packed with mediocre NHL veterans who suck up playing time that should be going to prospects. Look at McGroarty, Broz and Hayes—I’m not convinced we’re doing enough to actually develop these guys.

Maybe Dubas has another move coming that makes all of this click. I hope so.

But right now, I can’t tell if we’re rebuilding, retooling, or trying to squeeze one more run out of Sid.

Offseason grade: D-

I don’t necessarily hate the players we’ve acquired. I just have absolutely no idea what the plan

23. Utah Mammoth

Positives 

• What a beautiful area of the country. The city itself is whatever, but the surrounding area is spectacular.

• If you’re there during the winter, the skiing isn’t so bad, from what I hear.

• If you’re a proud Pittsburgher, seeing Logan Cooley and Vince Trocheck play on a very good Utah team is a nice experience.

• Just a spectacularly friendly city.

• Excellent airport and direct flights on Delta to and from Pittsburgh.

Negatives 

• The arena isn’t terrible but is below average by NHL standards.

• Salt Lake City isn’t known for its vibrant nightlife.

• Nice place but can get boring in a hurry.

Insider tip 

If you’re interested in going here, go to the Penguins’ game in Las Vegas this season. Spend a couple of days there, then hit Salt Lake City on your way home as the Pens finish their road trip. You’ll get to check out Utah and get the direct flight home. The game isn’t in winter, so it’s not the best time to be there, but it’s worth a stop.

Saw a study ranking all 32 teams by total hits and total fights, averaged into one number. We came in 3rd at an average rank of 6, behind only Boston and Philly.

So the back-to-back champs played exactly like back-to-back champs are supposed to play, physically, and then missed the postseason entirely in an injury-wrecked year. That's the whole season in one line.

I don't think the identity is broken. When healthy this is still the most miserable team in the league to play sixty minutes against, and the numbers say we kept playing that way even as the roster got shredded. You don't finish 3rd in hits and fights by mailing it in.

But the rest of it is a gut punch. Four of the nine most physical teams missed the playoffs and we were one of them. Carolina won the Cup ranked 27th out of 32 in aggression. Colorado ranked dead last and made the conference final.

Get healthy and this is a non-story next year. Get healthy.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have done an excellent job restocking what was once a very thin system. Headlined by strong forward talents like Rutger McGroarty, the Ruck twins and Benjamin Kindel, the Penguins have acquired some genuine pro prospects. It’s a very respectable pipeline that will provide much-needed youth and compete as Pittsburgh eventually turns away from its old core of players.

2025 ranking: 19

2026 NHL Draft grade: C+

Free to read here.

Long story short. Hallander says he’s 100% and has one more medical test before he is cleared to join training camp. I don’t read Swedish so I had to hit the translate button so I don’t know how accurate the translation is.

The ol' gang reunited for some 3 Ice action

EDIT So far, nooooo luck. Maybe he doesn't have reddit 🫣

I can't believe that I met some of the nicest, coolest people who were all so amazing. I got to the Lemieux sports complex at 8am and there weren't too many people there yet. I happened to talk with a guy there and found out he's a goalie, was looking for stuff to use mostly and then buy other things. Long story short, I saw in him his vehicle and gave him something he was looking at that I had purchased, but I'm kicking myself now because I wish I could have gotten his number!

Soooo if you happen to see this? I'd love to take you up on that offer and buy me a drink at a Penguins game 🤭