The last 24 hours have produced quite the bit of content for the Pittsburgh Penguins. To begin with, GM Kyle Dubas did it again. Early in the afternoon yesterday Dubas sent Brett Kulak for Sam Girard and 2028 2nd round pick.

This deal extends the return for Tristan Jarry to the following:

Sam Girard

Stuart Skinner

2028 and 2029 2nd round picks

That is a complete an utter heist for a goalie that was discussed as a potential buy-out candidate in the summer. Not only has Stu outplayed Jarry since the trade, but they were also able to extend the return to further plenish their already well stocked draft capital.

As for the trade yesterday, regardless of the Jarry component, was a massive win in its own right. Not only is Girard the more effective player but he is five(!) years younger, team controlled for another year, and adds more offensive potential to the blueline. The fact the Penguins, more specifically Dubas, were able to coherence Colorado to add in a 2nd is insane. Colorado really needed to move out Girard’s salary to make another move, but the price to free themselves of that contract is completely bonkers. Girard did fall to their third pair but was still effective. His falling in the lineup did make his contract overpriced for his role thus the inclusion of the high pick. However, for the Penguins he is going to move back up to the second pair where he likely belongs. Kulak did begin to get the best version of Letang this season so that may be a worry, but a guy who plays like Girard should actually further enhance Letang’s play. Girard is a great skater and a very good puck mover; those are the exact type of guys that Letang prefers on his left side. At very worst, the Penguins blueline sees no improvement but also doesn’t take a step-back. The most likely scenario is that the Penguins just made themselves better. Girard was the better player in the deal, no knock-on Kulak but it’s just the truth. You rarely see a trade where the better team gets the better player and a useful draft pick.

Kyle Dubas is on a heater unlike anything we have ever seen. Rutherford had heaters himself, but he was playing from an extreme position of strength. During Rutherford’s reign, the Penguins were perennial contenders so trading away draft capital was a no-brainer. In Dubas’ world, the Penguins are thought of as the furthest thing from contenders. Dubas is constantly seeking upgrades for the team where he can acquire younger talent without depleting the current roster, the prospect pool, or his draft capital. It is an incredibly difficult task, but he continues to pull off masterclass after masterclass. The more he stocks the draft cupboard, the easier it becomes for him to help improve the roster, a roster pushing for the playoffs, at the deadline next week.

The Penguins are going to need Dubas to help improve the roster based on the other news that just recently came out. Team captain, Sidney Crosby is out for at least four weeks. Losing Sid at any point this season could have sunk the ship but losing him during our hardest stretch might be a death blow. Without Dubas adding to the roster at all it looks like Rakell will center Bryan Rust and Avery Hayes. That line could very well pass as a second line while Crosby is out, but it is certainly not ideal. Historically, we have witnessed Geno take extra hits of the Russian gas when Sid goes down but given his accelerated age, I’m not sure the team can really bank on it this time around. Not only will be hardest, but Geno is also likely to get top-line minutes now as Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin is the going to be their best line in the absence of Sid. This stretch without Sid is not only packed with games, he’s expected to miss 15, but it is also against top competition. The injury somewhat limits their trade opportunities too. Rakell is no longer expendable for a winger upgrade because he has to play center. Mantha might be your next option to go, but Matha is not a guy a team like Dallas is going to want in a Robertson trade. Even if no trade is made, I have always trusted the captain and he’s confident in this team regardless of his absence.

Luckily for the Penguins, we have seen the guy running the ship doing hero work ever since he traded Jake Guentzel. If there was ever a guy that finds a way to bolster this lineup, it is Dubas. Imagine a world where Dubas does make some sort of blockbuster, the Penguins tread water without Sid, and he returns with a juiced-up team ready to go for the playoffs. The season does feel like it’s doomed, but every time you count this team out they shove it right up your hoop. Maybe this is the start to the championship DVD.

Also, Radko Gudas should be treated as a terrorist. What he did to the country of Canada, and the Penguins, deserves severe international punishment.