The time has come to discuss the Pittsburgh Penguins' strategic plans for the upcoming NHL trade deadline. But here's where it gets particularly interesting—there's more at stake than just moving players; it involves making decisions that could shape the team's future for years to come.
While this season hasn't been their absolute best overall, one standout performance that surely makes waves is their 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night. This win ranks high on their list of impressive games, especially considering the challenging circumstances they faced. Typically, the odds would be stacked against them in such a matchup.
Historically, the Oilers have had the Penguins' number in recent years, often dominating the matchups. Usually, Edmonton comes into these games rested, while Pittsburgh is often on the second night of a back-to-back, playing their fourth game in six days, and already in the midst of a tough road trip. On top of that, they weren’t even fielding Kris Letang, one of their top defenders, and had to rely on their backup goalie. Given all those factors, I initially considered that game as a likely loss.
Yet, the Penguins not only defied expectations—they took the game to the Oilers, turning the tables on Edmonton, much like the Oilers have done to Pittsburgh recently. They allowed some scoring chances, but Arturs Silovs was outstanding in goal. The Penguins took advantage of their former goalie, Tristan Jarry, and scored multiple key goals. Anthony Mantha scored twice, Evgeni Malkin displayed he still retains his skill, and Egor Chinakhov netted a remarkable goal on a shot so incredible that no one even saw it truly go in.
This victory has propelled the Penguins to second place in the Metropolitan Division after playing 50 games. It’s clear they’re starting to resemble a playoff-caliber team—not just in their standings but also in their playing style and the quality of their play behind the scenes.
They now boast a top-10 points percentage in the entire NHL, ranking fifth in the Eastern Conference, and are just two points behind the fourth-best team in their conference—despite having played one fewer game. Moreover, their underlying metrics—such as expected goals and scoring chances at even strength—place them firmly within the league’s top tier. Additionally, they are showing steady improvement in their defensive statistics.
If you look at the pattern—and if it looks and sounds like a duck—then perhaps it’s a duck. These details are essential because the Penguins have only 11 games remaining before the 2025-26 season's trade deadline. General manager Kyle Dubas and his team are undoubtedly engaged in countless discussions right now, pondering whether to buy, sell, stand pat, or perhaps do a bit of both. The decisions they make during this period will be pivotal.
To put this into perspective, here’s a brief look at their standings and advanced metrics after 50 games over the past eight seasons, highlighting how this current team compares to recent years:
- 2025-26: 50 games, 25-14-11 record, 61 points (9th league-wide), ranked top 10 in several advanced metrics.
- 2024-25: Similar pace but less effective, finishing the season with fewer points and lower rankings.
- 2023-24: Slightly better than this year in some metrics but missed playoffs narrowly.
- 2022-23 and earlier: Varied, with some seasons showing improvement and others not reaching postseason.
What makes this season particularly notable is that it marks the Penguins’ best record and placement in the standings since the 2021-22 campaign, which was their most recent Stanley Cup playoff appearance. It’s also one of the rare seasons over the last eight where they’ve ranked in the top ten across all scoring and expected goal metrics. They are 13 points ahead of where they stood at this point last year and significantly ahead in their underlying analytics.
This team isn’t a guaranteed Stanley Cup contender this season—at least not yet. But it’s undeniably showing signs of becoming a pretty strong team. Even during a frustrating losing streak in December, they continued to dominate periods of play, controlling the flow of the game. While they’ve missed out on some points—points that could ultimately matter—they’ve also collected a substantial number of crucial standings points. Their resilience and the way they’ve been competing, improving in specific areas, give hope for what’s still possible.
The forward lines are well-rounded, with no glaring weaknesses. Every line can take the ice and influence the game. Their goaltending, while occasionally inconsistent, is still capable of making saves that can turn games around. Erik Karlsson, in particular, has been performing up to the expectations set when they acquired him.
Looking ahead, the question is: how will the Penguins approach the next 11 games? It’s a wait-and-see situation, where they need to assess how their play develops over this stretch. The best strategy might be to continue with their current course, allow the team to demonstrate what they can accomplish, and then evaluate their options for the offseason based on these performances.
Anthony Mantha’s situation presents an interesting case. Originally, he seemed to be signed with the plan of being a short-term rental, similar to Anthony Beauvillier, intended to provide a boost in the top six before being flipped for draft assets at the deadline. However, Mantha has been more productive and impactful than initially expected. He could now fetch a decent return, possibly a second-round pick, or even more, given his recent production. His size and style also appeal to playoff teams looking for a physical and skilled presence. Trading him could free up roster space for prospects like Rutger McGroarty or Ville Koivunen from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
If the team continues to play well, it might become harder to justify disrupting this momentum. They deserve an honest shot at the playoffs, and if they keep performing, they should consider giving this roster a full opportunity.
Furthermore, the Penguins possess an impressive stockpile of draft assets, especially in the first three rounds over the next few years—a rare advantage in the league. While they could use more assets to fill specific needs, it’s not absolutely necessary. Strategic acquisitions that add long-term value, especially for future seasons, are preferable to short-term rentals.
One name frequently mentioned in trade talks is Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. The Penguins have the cap space to pursue him, but such a move might be more appropriate in the offseason. For now, they should target acquiring young talent—especially defensemen or high-upside prospects—who remain under team control and can contribute in the long run. Given recent activity and the depth of assets, it’s likely Dubas and his team are willing to be aggressive if the right opportunity arises.
Here’s a controversial thought—perhaps the first-round pick shouldn’t be off the table in a premium deal, provided there are certain conditions attached. If the trade involves a young, high-caliber player with multiple seasons of team control, it could be worth considering. Of course, trading that pick for a rental would be foolish—anyone who suggests that isn’t thinking long term. Still, if the Penguins aim for a playoff run and the pick ends up in the back of the first round, the difference between later picks is minimal, especially with assets like the Winnipeg Jets’ second-round pick, which could be high. Combining that with their cap space and position, they can afford to be flexible.
In summary, Kyle Dubas has built a foundation with plenty of assets, keeping options open for strategic moves that could define their future. Will they pull the trigger on a big trade? Or will they stay patient and continue building? This period will undoubtedly be thrilling to watch—and perhaps even controversial, depending on how the deals unfold.
