Pittsburgh Penguins' Kyle Dubas Is Already On The Hot Seat This Season – Hockey Writers – Pittsburgh Penguins

When Kyle Dubas took over as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins last summer, everyone knew his job was important to him. This organization has been mismanaged for years, and there was no way all that damage could be repaired overnight. A year later, Dubas is still trying to solve the Penguins' problem. After missing the playoffs two years in a row and sitting quietly this offseason, no one has high expectations for the team heading into 2024-25.

Has Dubas Done Enough This Offseason?

Whether or not it's fair for Dubas to shoulder the blame for the Penguins' current situation is irrelevant; the team did not improve much during his tenure. Last summer, he brought in Lars Eller and Noel Acciari to help the bottom six, but Pittsburgh's deep scoring remained a major problem last season.

Dubas was somewhat limited in the offseason due to the team's limited cap space. He added forwards Kevin Hayes and Anthony Beauvillier; Hayes will sit out the season with the St. Louis Blues where he scored 13 goals in 79 games – his lowest scoring season of his 10-year career. He signed with the Penguins through the 2025-26 season at an average annual value (AAV) of approximately $7.1 million (but the Philadelphia Flyers, who offered him that contract, are keeping half of his salary.)

Acquiring Hayes after a poor season is an interesting move for Dubas; however, it has a potential reward. Over the past two seasons, Hayes has posted 54 points with the Flyers, so maybe a change of scenery is just what he needs. He is good on the upside and could be a consistent third or fourth line center. He is also a playmaker, and with good players around him, he can be a great player in the bottom six.

Pittsburgh also received a 2025 second-round draft pick in the Hayes trade. If nothing else, Dubas has short-term Hayes and future draft picks as he continues a minor rebuild no one calls a rebuild.

Anthony Beauvillier signed a one-year contract worth $1.25 million on July 1. At the beginning of last season, he was a member of the Vancouver Canucks but was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in November. He finished the campaign with the Nashville Predators after being traded in March. He played 60 games with five goals and 12 assists. He may not have been able to achieve anywhere, and the Penguins are hoping that with a little recovery, he will be able to produce for them.

Should Dubas stay in the hot seat?

The answer is yes, because despite having Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang on the roster, the Penguins continued to underachieve last season. Bringing in Hayes and Beauvillier doesn't seem to make much of a difference, however Dubas has put himself in a corner financially mainly because of Tristan Jarry's contract. Last summer, he signed Jarry to a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.375 million in what may be his most controversial decision to date. Pittsburgh's starting point guard has struggled to stay healthy and consistent, and this past season was no different.

Related: Penguins' Projected 2024-25 Opening Night Lineup

The Penguins re-signed Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year contract on June 20, which left fans with more questions than answers. Is Dubas still trying to get rid of Jarry before the start of the season? That money could be better spent elsewhere, and if Pittsburgh wants to return to the playoffs in 2024-25, they should do whatever they can to make that happen. His career may very well depend on it.