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Penguins’ Return for Tristan Jarry Continues to Grow After Latest Trade

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Spencer Lazary | Last updated Feb 24, 2026 10:08 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been heavily scrutinized for how they have handled their retool over the last two seasons. However, after their latest trade, it feels like general manager Kyle Dubas is finally getting some credit for what he is building.

Back in December, he traded Tristan Jarry to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Brett Kulak, Stuart Skinner, and a 2029 second-round draft pick. When the deal was first announced, social media tore it apart. As the season went on, though, the return started to look better. Then today, he added another layer to the trade tree. He sent Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick.

Now, the trade has Penguins fans excited and wondering what else Dubas could have planned as we inch closer to the March 6 trade deadline.

Jarry Return Continues to Grow

As mentioned, the return for Jarry keeps growing. After flipping Kulak to Girard and another second-rounder, fans are asking what the next move could be. The Penguins now hold 25 draft picks over the next three NHL drafts. Of those, 16 are in the first three rounds. Those picks could easily become pieces in another deal. If Dubas decides the time is right, he could use them to strengthen the roster further.

Right now, the Penguins sit second in the Metropolitan Division and look on track for a playoff spot. That makes the upcoming deadline even more intriguing. With that kind of draft capital and teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs potentially selling, you cannot help but wonder what Dubas might be exploring. In fact, it would not be surprising if he is quietly laying the groundwork for something bigger over the next few weeks.

It also highlights how focused this front office has been on accumulating draft capital. They have worked to add talent that helps immediately, while still prioritizing depth through the draft. We are seeing that approach pay off with prospects like Ben Kindel, who is having a strong season. If Dubas and the Penguins choose to hold onto some of those picks, there is a legitimate chance a few turn into impact NHL players. Dating back to his early years with the Maple Leafs, Dubas has shown he can draft well. That is what makes this version of the Penguins retool so interesting.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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