Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas
Photo credit: PensBurgh

Penguins not expected to make changes on defense next season

Published May 1, 2024 at 5:14 PM
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Dave C.
May 1, 2024  (5:14 PM)
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The Pittsburgh Penguins have been tremendously bad on defense this season despite the acquisitions of Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks in a late summer blockbuster and the signing of UFA Ryan Graves from the New Jersey Devils.

Despite many calling on GM Kyle Dubas to make a change on his defensive corps, it seems like the management wants to give it another try, with their reasoning being that they haven't been accumulated to the team just yet. The Penguins have many guys on defense with unmovable contracts and term on their deals such as Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Marcus Pettersson and Ryan Graves.

Despite being deemed unmovable, Ryan Graves can potentially switch addressed for the right team despite being one of the league's worst defenseman. The upside is there, with his glory days in Colorado and New Jersey and a team may be interested in buying low on the young defenceman.

Penguins insider Josh Yohe provided an update on the future of PO Joseph, who has struggled in his first full year playing in the NHL alongside Kris Letang:


"Talk to anyone in the front office, and they'll very quickly let you know they loved his game down the stretch. Does that mean he's in Pittsburgh to stay? Does it mean he played well enough that the Penguins could trade him? Joseph plays well with Letang, which is no small thing. Letang is hard to play with. If Joseph and Letang are the answer on the second pairing � which is difficult to assess because Letang wasn't himself at the end of the season � it would allow Karlsson and Pettersson to stay on the top pair together. All of a sudden, the Penguins' top four would be set and, if you were Dubas, you could exclusively focus on your forwards this summer."

It is going to be an interesting summer here in Pittsburgh.

As read on- The Hockey News
Penguins may see minimal changes on defense
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Penguins not expected to make changes on defense next season

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