Three offseason moves Penguins GM Kyle Dubas must make

First on the list for Dubas is to have an important talk with the core team of Crosby, Letang and Malkin. He is going to need Crosby to help usher in the new generation of Penguins. The expectation is too high as a team, and it cannot be expected that Crosby continue to score 90 points a season, or have Letang be looked at as the number one defenseman.

The hopes are that Malkin will also get on board with that thought process and play out his remaining two years, maybe even at a reduced role.

The time has come for the transition to start, and it would work better for the Penguins of the core three were on board for it.

Next on the agenda for Dubas is a no brainer. Sign Sidney Crosby. The accolades will continue for the captain, and he needs to stay a Penguin for the rest of his NHL career.

Crosby has earned the contract he deserves. His 8.7 million a year was a nice number taken to help with the cap. But now if he wants a few years for $10 million plus a year, give it to him.

And the final big move that is needed is to relieve themselves from Reilly Smith and his cap hit. Smith just did not seem interested in playing this season for Pittsburgh and is not worth the $5 million a year deal.

Three options for him would be to let him play out the final year of his contract and hope for the best, do a buy out, or a trade. Both a buyout and a trade would cost the Penguins about half of his salary. But a trade would be a one time hit of $2.5 million. So if there is a market for Smith, take it.

The Penguins have other issues to contend with, like Ryan Graves who has multiple years left on his deal. The Penguins will also need goaltending help if Jarry falls flat again this year.

Hopefully with the core players on board, Dubas can make the needed moves to get the Penguins back into the playoffs next season.

As Read On: Pittsburgh Hockey Now -
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