Major Trade Speculation Swirls after Head Coach Mike Sullivan's Pre-game Comments

They're all game-time decisions. Yep, the entire team is questionable. If that doesn't sum up the season so far, I don't know what does.

The Penguins entered 2024-25 with high hopes of breaking a two-year playoff drought, but through 17 games, this squad hasn't looked anywhere near playoff-ready.

With a disappointing 6-10-3 record, Monday's 7-1 humiliation against the Dallas Stars and Friday's 6-2 drubbing against the Columbus Blue Jackets has increased speculation about a possible retool.

Rumors of potential trades are swirling, with GM Kyle Dubas reportedly open to making big moves, saying everyone is available to trade aside from captain Sidney Crosby.

Even Erik Karlsson, Evgeni Malkin, and Letang aren't safe from trade chatter, though their no-trade clauses make any deal complicated.

It's not just the stars, as role players like Marcus Pettersson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Ryan Graves could draw interest around the league.

It's hard to admit the painful truth, but rebuilding around the ageless wonder that's Crosby, who signing a two-year extension this summer-might be the only path forward.

That doesn't make it any easier to see this once-dominant team in its current state, regressing to the means. How the mighty have fallen after 16 consecutive years of playoff appearances, and three Stanley Cups including doubling down in 2016 and 17.

The team's direction could become clearer in the coming weeks, but until then, tonight's matchup against the last-place Sharks could make everyone temporarily forget about the turmoil.

When Pittsburgh did release their lineup, they revealed prospects Owen Pickering would make his NHL debut while Vasily Ponomarev received his first skate in black and gold.

It appears the Pens are finally letting their kids play. Could this be the start of a new era in the Burgh?