- Penguins are hunting their next franchise star for the post-Crosby era
- Kyle Dubas pushed hard to trade for Stars winger Jason Robertson
- Read below for the prospect pool and what a Robertson deal would cost
The Pittsburgh Penguins have not gone looking for a superstar in 40 years. They might have to now.
Kyle Dubas has spent two years stockpiling prospects, and his biggest swing so far has been chasing one of the best wingers in hockey. Pittsburgh pushed hard for Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson, and the front office is not done trying.
Elliotte Friedman said on his 32 Thoughts podcast that the Penguins and Stars talked about a Robertson deal and built some momentum before the draft, though nothing got across the line.
Robertson is exactly the kind of finisher the Penguins have been missing. He piled up 45 goals and 96 points last season. Take a look at what Dubas is trying to add:
He will not come cheap. Robertson wants a long-term deal in the range of $14 million a year, and Dallas is asking for a Rantanen-level return of an NHL regular, a top prospect, and premium picks.
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are still in Pittsburgh, but the clock is loud. This past season the three became the first trio of teammates to hit 20 years together.
The Penguins have not been a real Cup contender in close to a decade. Every great run in this city started with a franchise player, from Mario Lemieux to Jaromir Jagr to Crosby, and Dubas knows the next one needs to arrive soon.
Pittsburgh’s prospect pool is deeper than it has been in years. Harrison Brunicke, Benjamin Kindel, Rutger McGroarty and Tanner Howe give the club real young talent to dream on.
None of them profiles as a franchise centerpiece yet, though McGroarty has flashed. Here’s his first NHL goal:
Egor Chinakhov, who Pittsburgh signed to a three-year deal this month, owns one of the better shots on the roster. Turning any of these names into a star is the bet Dubas is making.
A superstar usually arrives through the draft, but the Penguins made the playoffs last spring and picked late in the first round. That is the price of winning early.
Robertson still sits at the top of Dubas’s wish list, and the Penguins are still pushing.
