The most hectic day of the summer for hockey has come and gone now that July 1st has passed.
The Penguins have settled into being a team of contradictions. Kyle Dubas says he wants to add a forward — but also wants his cap space. He has mentioned trying to compete again as soon as this year — but hasn’t made many obvious upgrades to what was a non-playoff team in the first place. The Pens want to build for the future and acquire more young assets — but most of what they’re accumulating won’t be pitching in before Evgeni Malkin’s contract expires in 2026.