The Pittsburgh Penguins are officially starting their rebuild. After a tough 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, which left them with a 6-9-2 record, they began trading away veteran players by sending Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals for two future draft picks.
Eller was one of the few bright spots this season and had only been with the Penguins for parts of two seasons. Trading him to a divisional rival like Washington signals that management is focusing on future prospects rather than immediate success.
Despite having stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang on their team, the Penguins have struggled lately. They haven’t won a playoff series since 2018 and missed playoffs entirely in recent years. This season might be another miss . Fans might wonder if it’s time for more big changes.
Trade Rumors and Team Changes:
Crosby seems untouchable, but other veterans like Malkin, Letang, and Erik Karlsson have trade protections that could complicate deals. The team may also consider trading pending free agents such as Marcus Pettersson, Anthony Beauvillier, and Matt Grzelcyk; however, returns might not be significant.
A bigger question looms over head coach Mike Sullivan’s future. With recent poor performances and lack of success, his position could be at risk. Fans may think it’s time for fresh leadership to shake things up.
Meanwhile, Eller reunites with the Capitals where he spent several successful seasons before. He even scored the game-winning goal during their Stanley Cup victory in 2018 against Vegas Golden Knights! Now back in Washington, he’ll add depth as they aim for another playoff run.
What do you think about these changes? Should more trades happen or is it time for new coaching?
