Within the 2010s, no staff was as dominant because the Pittsburgh Penguins. Led by stars like Sydney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, Pittsburgh received back-to-back cups within the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. They have been additionally some of the constant groups, having made the playoffs yearly for 16 consecutive seasons. Nevertheless, after lacking the playoffs in 2023, the Penguins employed Kyle Dubas to deliver them again to the Promise Land.
Dubas was one of many hottest names on this planet of NHL executives. After being employed by the Maple Leafs in 2014 as an assistant common supervisor, he rapidly climbed the chief ladder changing into the Leafs’ common supervisor in 2018. Dubas was praised for utilizing analytics to assist root out biases in decision-making. Making an attempt to construct a staff by discovering gamers that different groups have undervalued for one motive or one other. Due to this, Forbes named him one of many 30 underneath 30 greatest younger stars within the sports activities business.
When Dubas arrived in Pittsburgh, it appeared just like the Penguins have been about to begin a rebuild. To maneuver on from a number of the items that assist them win within the 2010s and attempt to infuse some youth into the roster. Doing this to try to get probably the most out of the twilight of Crosby’s profession. Nevertheless, issues haven’t gone in accordance with plan. Issues appear worse off for the Penguins than they did earlier than he bought there. So what has gone flawed, and why is Dubas now checked out as a snake oil salesman?
What Has Gone Unsuitable in Pittsburgh?
As talked about earlier than, Dubas was seen as an indication that the Penguins have been able to rebuild. To place the 16 consecutive playoff appearances behind them and look in the direction of the longer term. Nevertheless, the strikes throughout his first offseason recommended one thing totally different. They acquired big-name gamers like Erik Karlsson and Reilly Smith. Additionally they signed Ryan Graves to a six-year deal and gave goaltender Tristan Jarry a five-year extension. This signaled they have been nonetheless attempting to compete.
Nevertheless, issues didn’t work the way in which Dubas and firm hoped. His first season ended with a file of 38-32-12 lacking the playoffs by two factors. Issues haven’t gotten a lot better in his second season. At the moment, they’re 20-23-8 and 7 factors out of a playoff spot. If it wasn’t for the Sabers they be the worst staff within the Jap Convention. To make issues worse the signings made in Dubas’s first offseason have been disastrous. They just lately needed to place Jarry on waivers after he posted a .886 save proportion in 22 video games.
The most important drawback that has plagued Dubas time in Pittsburgh is a scarcity of course. It looks like they’re attempting to win, whereas additionally trying to construct in the direction of the longer term. One thing subsequent to inconceivable to tug off. Certain the Washington Capitals have been capable of do it, however that’s extra of an anomaly. Usually when groups attempt to do each, they wrestle just like the Penguins have. They’re unable to land large items as a result of they don’t wish to mortgage the longer term, however they’re by no means dangerous sufficient to get a generational participant within the draft. Thus they’re caught in a state of mediocrity.
Why is Dubas Overrated?
Now, his failures in Pittsburgh alone don’t make him a snake oil salesman. It’s such a brief pattern measurement, however there’s nonetheless loads of time to show it round and rebuild the Penguins right into a contender. Nevertheless, when you take a look at his failures with the Penguins and what occurred in Toronto, it’s honest to say he may need been given extra credit score than deserved.
For starters, he grew to become common supervisor of the Leafs in 2018. At that time, the core of the Maple Leafs had already been established. Guys like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander have been already within the group and established hockey gamers. The Leafs had already made the playoffs back-to-back years and regarded to have a shiny future. Certain, Dubas was within the entrance workplace on the time, nonetheless, he wasn’t making the choice, so he can’t take credit score for constructing that staff.
That credit score goes to Lou Lamerillo, who introduced within the majority of what makes up the Leafs core. Dubas wasn’t even the one assistant common supervisor when he was in Toronto. Mark Hunter was additionally the assistant common supervisor when Dubas was, and in addition performed a serious function in creating this core. Since Lamerillo and Hunter have left, Dubas hasn’t been the identical. He was by no means capable of take the Leafs to the subsequent stage and has been a catastrophe in Pittsburgh. It’s time for us to re-evaluate how good Dubas is.
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