Penguins GM Sets Sky-High Expectations For Upcoming Season

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has made it clear that his ambitions for the team go far beyond simply making the playoffs after failing at it twice in the last two years.

In an interview with NHL.com’s Wes Crosby published on August 22, Dubas emphasized that the goal is to return the Penguins to Stanley Cup contention as soon as possible while Sidney Crosby is still playing hockey.

“The on-ice direction of the franchise is, simply, we’re not looking to simply squeak into the playoffs,” Dubas said. “It’s to return the team to become a contender as soon as possible.

"Can we do that this season? Can we do that next season? It’s hard to put a timeframe on it.”

Dubas, who took over as GM this past offseason after an unsuccessful stint with the Maple Leafs before joining Pittsburgh as the team president, is focused on building around the core players who have brought so much success to Pittsburgh, particularly Sidney Crosby.

Crosby, the face of the franchise, has led the Penguins to three Stanley Cup victories, with the most recent coming in 2017. Despite being 37 years old, Crosby continues to perform at an elite level, recording 42 goals and 94 points over a full 82-game season last year.

The Penguins’ captain, however, is nearing the end of his current contract, which runs through the 2024–25 season. Although Crosby is already eligible to sign a new deal, the lack of an extension has raised concerns among some Penguins fans and insiders.

Dubas, nonetheless, sounded committed to maximizing the window of opportunity with Crosby and the current core.

“This is obviously not a 'strip it down to the studs situation here,'" Dubas said. "The people in the [locker] room are too good for that."

Related: Sidney Crosby's Lack Of Contract Movement Creating Concern