A depressed team, a depressed fan base? Penguins have quite the PR nightmare moving forward. There’s no denying it’s a spoiled fan base but it’s a somber mood surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins following a 6-0 loss to the Washington Capitals Thursday night on home ice, where a Capitals team in a similar situation actually plays with energy and life in their veins. A minority is going to buy-into the Penguins return for Jake Guentzel but as a whole Kyle Dubas and the organization have a monumental challenge.

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~ Latest Scuttlebutt ~

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has made it a priority to be in a way overboard respectful of players Full No Trade and No Movement Clauses. He’s a believer you honor these which is why Pittsburgh did not push forward in talks with Detroit on Bryan Rust. Detroit remains highly interested in Rust but sounds like a summer thing where Rust would have to be the one to push for it. Still, will key players eventually become miserable enough to want a change? Could certainly see it from Erik Karlsson over the next year……….

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–Jake Debrusk to Pittsburgh rumors has some legs. Whispers are Pittsburgh gathered intel over the last week on Debrusk’s interest in signing To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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–Penguins expect action to pick up on To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

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–Lot of Los Angeles/Reilly Smith smoke all week. Vegas poked around again but sought third party to retain. Detroit has looked into Smith but sense is don’t love the contract. Some have wondered about To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

— Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel continues to see a strong market and will be on the move today for a pick.

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–Some talk this morning of Pittsburgh getting increased action on To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!