Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Reilly Smith this week has been universally praised from a value standpoint and a playing style fit. Signed through 2024-2025 with a $5 million cap hit, it was just the perfect fit for how Kyle Dubas wants to operate with term on players in their 30’s. It was too good of a deal to pass up. One feel in the industry though is the acquisition loses some luster if Jason Zucker isn’t resigned or the Penguins don’t replace Zucker with a similar styled impact player. Still, as for Smith who can play both wings, kill penalties and create off the rush, he fits how Mike Sullivan still believes in playing. Any hope of a new General Manager wanting the Penguins to change the style of play isn’t going to happen at least not in year one of the Mike Sullivan/Kyle Dubas honeymoon phase. Sullivan is all-in on playing like it’s 2016 and Smith even at his age gives them that element.
— A respectful cat and mouse game continues between the Penguins and Jason Zucker’s representative Eustance King. Mike Sullivan has continued a big push behind the scenes on trying to resign Zucker. As the Zucker camp has tried to wait and wait Pittsburgh out to bend on term, two sides were a year apart as of yesterday, there’s a realization that Pittsburgh is actively in the forward market where the Zucker contract offer couple be wiped To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!……… Zucker has been fond of playing out West if things with the Penguins can’t be worked out, sources say. But a coveted five year offer the agent has sought might be coming from the East. There’s a belief two Eastern Conference teams, one being the Columbus Blue Jackets have Zucker high on their radar.
— Contract Talks between the Penguins and Tristan Jarry are going down to the wire ahead of free agency opening up. Talks have been described as ‘encouraging’ over the last 24 hours and both sides see a possible path To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Pittsburgh has been linked to Blake Wheeler all week who was bought out today To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Many teams were not aware Matt Duchene was going to get bought out until it happened today including super agent Pat Brisson who is Sidney Crosby’s To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
