Penguins Trades That Make Sense: What's Next?

Penguins Trades That Make Sense: What’s Next?

July 9, 2026



On this episode of No Pucks Given, Dan Kingerski breaks down whether Kyle Dubas’s Penguins rebuild plan has gone sideways — and argues it hasn’t, walking through why the front office hasn’t landed a Jason Robertson-caliber star yet and why that’s actually on schedule. Dan digs into the prospect pipeline (Bill Zonnen, Will Horcoff, Ryan Miller, and more), makes the case for a Nikishin-and-Kotkaniemi package over Elias Pettersson, and runs the numbers on why chasing a big name right now could backfire once Crosby, Malkin, and the rest of the core age out.

Then it’s into the live Q&A: Logan Stanley’s fit, the Kuzmenko-vs-Mantha comparison, Nick Robertson’s stalled contract and a looming buyout window, Wilkes-Barre prospect frustration, Owen Pickering’s development, Kris Letang’s pairing outlook, and a full trade-cost breakdown for both Nikishin/Kotkaniemi and a hypothetical Pettersson-for-Graves swap.

#pittsburghpenguins #nhl #nhlpodcast #nhlnews #kyledubas

⏰ Timecodes:

00:00 — Cold open
00:19 — Welcome to episode 69 & PHN Q&A recap
02:44 — Has Kyle Dubas’s rebuild plan gone sideways?
08:21 — The prospect pipeline on the way (Zonnen, Horcoff, Miller)
11:02 — The fork in the road: patience vs. the aging core
16:44 — Dan’s trade preference: Nikishin + Kotkaniemi over Pettersson
21:21 — Why chasing Jason Robertson now doesn’t add up
24:45 — Live Q&A kicks off
25:31 — Would the Penguins look at Logan Stanley?
26:44 — Kuzmenko vs. Mantha: a fair comparison?
29:37 — Nick Robertson’s contract limbo & the buyout window
32:21 — The “let the plan crash” conspiracy theory
33:35 — Are the Wilkes-Barre prospects getting blocked?
39:58 — Do the Penguins’ trade targets have a skating problem?
41:49 — When does Dubas make his next big move?
43:45 — Which prospects make the team out of camp? (Owen Pickering deep dive)
48:01 — Where does Kris Letang fit in the pairings?
50:04 — Will Jason Robertson stay in Dallas?
50:44 — Why Dubas has earned the benefit of the doubt
52:43 — Shane Wright, Kent Johnson, and other reclamation targets
53:15 — Mailbag: Wilkes-Barre jokes and the case against Robertson
54:38 — The new AHL rule on 19-year-olds, explained
58:16 — A wager: will the Capitals make the playoffs?
1:00:34 — What would it cost to get Nikishin and Kotkaniemi?
1:01:54 — Hypothetical: Pettersson for Graves + retained salary
1:02:19 — Wrap-up

View Comments (14)

  1. They won't have the assests next year. On the contrary, the value of Rust and Rakell will have gone down. We are stuck in a limbo. And I think you are way too optimistic about "the talent".

  3. Couple thoughts: Dubas waited too long to trade Rakell, Rust, and Karlsson. Now they are old men and not worth much. Rangers traded Trocheck at the perfect time and got a nice, fair return. Cole Beaudoin is the type of prospect, a center too, that the Penguins should be getting. What is the hold up?

    But Dan, please don't mention the Guentzel trade again, that is one of the the worst trades in the history of the Pens. A few mid/low tier prospects and a second round pick for Jake Guentzel? Still painful.

  6. Exactly like Josh Yohe stated players in Wilkes Barre not ready look at Kovinen,Mcgroarty no way ready been given chances and Avery Hayes is NOT what people think he is Brunicke special will be ready soon Murashov ready

  7. Total rebuilds dont work look at Detroit ,Chicago Penguins will have to win with depth like Florida and Carolina maybe no stars and thats okay last 35 years we have been spoiled hall of famers Lemeuix,Jagr,Crosby,Malkin,Francis,Letang,Karlsson,Gonchar,Kovalev ext

  8. Alex Nikishin would be tremendous shoots puck 105 mph he reminds me of Al Iafrate from Capitals early 90s he is a beast what a great LH defenseman to have with Brunicke for future

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