Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins landed their top target today in hiring Kyle Dubas as President of Hockey Operations, an A+ level hiring for the difficult task ahead of trying to build a consistent winner in the short and long-term that has an aging core soon to be pushing 40 years old.
“Very honored to be here today and join the Pittsburgh Penguins,” Dubas said of being named President of Hockey Operations. “We heard from [Pittsburgh] basically next morning after my time in Toronto came to a close.”
Dubas thanked all parties involved in courting him to Pittsburgh from ownership to Mike Sullivan/Sidney Crosby to the Penguins PR team. “Last week they did incredible job showing us around the city,” Dubas said of Pittsburgh’s PR team. “Early this week we made decision this was going to be right decision. Deep feeling of appreciation to everybody,” Dubas said who has young kids and a key part of the decision was the comfort level of his family making this move.
Prior to Dubas being let go in Toronto, when the Penguins job first became available, those in league circles believed Pittsburgh’s job could be right up Dubas’ ally in that he could play the card of being aggressive in the short-term, while also building out a long-term plan as being something that would appeal to him. That’s exactly what Dubas layed out.
At his introductory press conference today, Dubas showed enthusiasm for the task at hand of giving this core a better chance to compete next season, while starting the infrastructure on day 1 of executing a long-term plan where the club moves from the current core to a new era where there’s no retool or rebuild in-between any transition whenever that time comes.
“I see this task ahead of us as a two-pronged effort. To reduce gap between core and new age of players,” Dubas said.
Among the Highlights from Dubas:
— Penguins did excellent job of selling Dubas on Pittsburgh: Dubas indicated late in the press conference that his initial feeling was to take some time away before making a decision and ‘wasn’t intention going in to take Penguins job’. Dubas said his wife telling him he should at least take a meeting with the Penguins and things went from there. A key for Dubas was being so comfortable with people already in place in the organization.
–– Dubas speaks highly of Sullivan: The New York Rangers dream of hiring Mike Sullivan is over. There’s going to no coaching change or consideration for one from the start. Dubas spoke glowingly throughout the press conference about Sullivan. “Throughout course of this process had chance to speak this week to Mike Sullivan (multiple times) and Sidney Crosby (once)….. a number of conversations with Mike Sullivan,” said Dubas. “Sully can coach forever. He’s a great coach, there’s no expiration date on Mike” Dubas said in the press conference.
— Dubas hints at big splash? Dubas cited throughout about improving the depth. “Depth pieces, what can we add via younger players (trade or free agency),” Dubas said . Later in the press conference, though, Dubas hinted To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— All in on the core? Just playing to the crowd or is this a true feeling? To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
–– Focus on building team to win division not competing with other 31 teams: Dubas says with Penguins being in the same conference as Toronto gives him a good feel of roster and AHL roster. Will rely on coaches and others in the organization at the start and what he focuses on when building a contender is on the division. “Major focus is inside the division. Let’s focus on our division,” said Dubas.
–– Penguins to shop for top Left D? Dubas earlier in the press conference made a quick comment about determining possible need for change at top of the defense, likely indicating a desire of Mike Sullivan’s to land a Number 1 left pairing d-man. Sullivan pushed for a top pairing Left-D before the trade deadline, though, Sullivan was strongly in favor of trading Mike Matheson last summer which played a big part in the hole the Penguins now have with Brian Dumoulin a free agent and no longer capable of playing that role.
— 50-50 whether Jarry returns? To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
— Dubas will handle GM for now: Calling himself the “interim GM”, Dubas will handle the GM role through at least the month of June, the Penguins new head of hockey operations said. Hello Jason Spezza when his contract expires on July 1……….
