Penguins
Penguins Q&A: Focusing on GM Candidates, Would the Core Stay for Rebuild?

And the Pittsburgh Penguins GM wheel spins. Toronto Maple Leafs GM, or maybe former Maple Leafs GM, Kyle Dubas essentially took himself out of the running during his emotional and raw season-ending presser Monday. The Toronto media and I disagree on the sincerity shown, and perhaps they know better, but I saw a guy who has given everything he has to a project, and the thought of starting another project just isn’t in the purview.
To that, I can relate. I also loved that Dubas admitted there’s a difference between believing in a path and being obstinate, and he will evaluate where he is on that spectrum. I thought that was real humility.
However, some of the Toronto media weren’t buying it. Nick Kypreos had an entirely different take on his Sportsnet590 podcast; he wasn’t buying the sincerity and thought it was a negotiating ploy.
The GM spot dominated questions as we opened the floor for a Penguins Q&A. Fortunately, we also got a few Mikael Granlund queries, too!
Pittsburgh Penguins Q&A:
Please tell me they serious aren’t considering. Charelli . This would have hextall 2.0 written all over it
— Ryan (@RH2283) May 16, 2023
ANSWER: They are serious, and don’t call them Shirley.
Real answer: Actually, the Penguins ownership group has talked to TONS of people. They’ve talked to a few folks we know, but those people didn’t consider it an interview. It was … a chat? I won’t speak for Dave Molinari and what he’s heard, but that’s why I have not reported any names — it’s tough to distinguish a “chat” and an interview.
To continue the ’70s movie motif, FSG worked the room like rush chairman Eric Stratton, and they were damn glad to meet you.
I’d be very surprised if they consider Peter Chiarelli or Marc Bergevin for the GM role. Both have been roasted for their roster constructions, and for good reasons. Bergevin had Carey Price and Shea Weber, which covered a lot of ills, but Montreal was otherwise not a good team for several years.
However, Bergevin might be a very good president of hockey ops. Some GM input, personal skills, connections, and lord knows what pranks he might pull on the front office staff. From that standpoint, he could be a nice breath of fresh air.
Also, I’d love to see Stan Savran find the merlot-colored leather jacket he wore one day when Bergevin played for the Penguins. Bergevin spent an entire two-minute locker room interview weaving jokes about it into his answers. They were cutting but oh so subtle. Savran eventually cracked up laughing. I was a young reporter in awe of what was happening. After 21 or 22 years, I still remember it.
For the president and GM roles, the Penguins org needs to open the shades, fling open the doors, and get all the sunshine and fresh air they can. There was a crusty stank on the org by April.
Any guesses to who the sleeper candidates are for GM? I like Tulsky, but Bergevin, Chicarelli are honestly and chumps.
— Jack Hammer (@CrownedHead81) May 16, 2023
Answer: Sleepers? I’ll put one name out there that I know has garnered some interest during the process: Kevin Weekes.
Would Jason Karmanos count as a sleeper? There are a few organizations to focus on, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, LA Kings, and Dallas Stars.
With it being 50/50 at best on Dubas, who would like to see as the team running the team?
— Jay Piskorik (@JayPiskorik) May 16, 2023
Answer:Â The internet always knows best, right? Despite the criticism I’ll receive, I believe John Chayka would be a strong candidate IF–IF he’s matured. I thought he made a mess at the end in Arizona, but until he got caught interviewing with New Jersey, AZ was on the right path.
Now, he upset many people with how he handled that, but let’s not gloss over the situation. He was possibly going to run the Devils AND the Mets. A dumb guy doesn’t get that job, and I can assure you he would have a strong analytics department, and you will not see multi-year contracts to 37-year-olds nor expensive veterans past 30 who haven’t produced in a few years.
I’m also on record as thinking highly of Dallas AGM Steve Greeley’s resume. Ryan Martin of the New York Rangers, too.
With the Ducks most likely taking frantilli second over all, will they hang on to Gibson now? What would it take for pens to get him if available?
— Lfusco (@lfusco85) May 16, 2023
Answer: At least a No. 1 pick, a prospect, and an NHL player. At least. It had to hurt wondering if they would get Connor Bedard then getting second. If Anaheim doesn’t have a good offseason, perhaps Gibson will throw down the gauntlet and demand a trade. He deserves better than the haphazard roster construction and tepid rebuilding in Anaheim.
Connor Hellebuyck would be the more affordable option because he has one year left on his contract, but provided he’d sign a deal with the Penguins.
Buyout of Granlund offers best cap relief. Petry must be traded. Buyout of Petry doesn’t help enough. Got to get both out. Best path is Granlund buyout and Petry trade. Probably have to include first draft pick to do it but don’t see another way. Thoughts?
— Rteezy76 (@rteezy76) May 16, 2023
Answer: Well… I know plenty of folks in hockey circles have discussed it, and many would buy out Granlund.
Save over $4 million next season and just over $3 million the following season, but then two more years costing $1.8 million. No, Granlund doesn’t fit, nor is he what they need, but that’s a lot to eat for a serviceable player. However, four years of that kind of dead money on the books? Yikes.
I would think long and hard about trying to get some production out of him for at least one more year. Hey, the Penguins might need a LW. Or RW.
A Granlund buyout would be about third on my progression list of saving money. Petry would be first.
Don’t ask what my second one would be. You wouldn’t like it.
Do Crosby, Malkin, and Letang all finish the rest of their on ice careers with the Pens?
— David B (@D_Bischoff) May 16, 2023
Answer: Great question. Jonathan Toews won’t finish his career in Chicago. I can easily imagine a scenario where it’s no longer fun, and the boys realize they must go their separate ways. They fought to stay together because they thought they could win. Realizing they can’t or won’t win might change that thinking.
Do they want to go down with the ship? I could see situations in which either Letang or Malkin helped the team by being traded. A selfless act in the end against their emotional ties. What would LA or Edmonton be with either one? How about Montreal or Ottawa needing a leader? Minnesota (Bill Guerin) needs a center and help on the blue line. Or maybe the New York Rangers collecting hockey cards?
Those are just current examples. Who knows what the world will look like in one year or two?
Sidney Crosby is the only one I would bet heavily on finishing his career here.
I am starting to think, for the first time, it may be good to have remote owners. They are not caught up in the local drama. I do think the right GM can correct course this summer. It will simply come down to what they do with 6 or 7 open slots. Outside of 2 slots, second line LW and Goalie one, the rest of the positions should not be that complex.
Amen!!!
I really like Kate Madigan and Dan MacKinnon of the Devils organization
I really like The Struts and long walks in the park!
Hilarious…bet you’re alone on those walks
Eric Tulsky of the Canes or Steve Greeley would be smart choices for GM. Buying out players in this league is stupid tbh. Eat what’s left on Granlund. I really don’t think people know how this process actually works and how many years of dead cap space a team is actually stuck with.
What executive experience does Weekes have to run a hockey team?
Petry hopefully traded to a team needing help with too much cap space, if there is such a thing, and buy out Granlund.
I agree but that will not be easy. I believe petry has a 15 team no trade list. So we’re out half the league before we start
Buying out Granlund is stupid. All that dead cap space is a waste. Some players take a while to get traction with a new team. Best course of action is to hope someone trades for him or Petry. Or, maybe just maybe they will play better in their 2nd year with the penguins. A smart gm will know that having dead cap space is not good for a team that needs all the cap space it can get in order to retool this team.
Granlund as a 5 million 3rd or 4th liner is crazy. Be easier to swallow if he could score or grind.
Hextall got fleeced
So why not keep him and play him with Geno and Zucker(if they can re-sign him)? Its all about finding the correct players to compliment the players currently on the roster. The 3rd and 4th lines were abysmal to say the least. Those are the players that need to be upgraded. Rust could help the 3rd line immensely if he played there. Granlund could be tried more on the top 2 lines before he is jettisoned via buyout or miracle trade.
Would your 2nd choice be moving Jake? If trying to get something out of granland is ur 1st option. Open up a spot save money and get assets before he needs his payday
Trading Guentzel while he has value as a 30-40 goalscorer would be a good idea. Goalscorers like him do not grow on trees so the value for him on the trade market should be pretty high. If they could add a player with some grit/speed would be ideal.
At this point it is difficult to imagine Geno leaving the comfort zone provided by Captain Crosby and the relatively tame Pittsburgh media market.
Rust/ Petry/ and “any prospect here” for Johnny Gibson please!!!
The only way i see Gibson traded anywhere is if their top goalie prospect steals the crease from him. I forget his name but i think he had a great year in the ahl
If Granlund can’t be traded with or without retention, a buyout should be in order. Petry is still serviceable no need to be bought out yet.
Buying out Granlund is a bad move, IMO. Too much dead money for too long. A trade with salary retention is a better way to go. That said, I’m not sure why they don’t just waive him. Nobody thought anyone would claim Kapanen and yet the Blues did. Surely someone in the league values what Granlund brings.