‘We Are Positioned Well’: Dubas Answers Penguins Trade Questions

LAS VEGAS — The implied reasons for the Pittsburgh Penguins trades Wednesday evening might differ sharply from many of the inferences.

The Penguins first shipped Vincent Desharnais to the San Jose Sharks for a mere 2028 fifth-round pick. In contrast, even Chad Ruhwedel brought more in return last year (2027 fourth-rounder).

Shortly afterward, the Penguins acquired their third and fourth Nashville Predators by sending Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round pick to Nashville for playmaking center Tommy Novak and stalwart 35-year-old right-handed defenseman Luke Schenn.

On paper, it would seem an easy read. Novak is a 27-year-old center in his third NHL season. He netted 18 goals last season but had slumped this season with 22 points in 52 games, and the Penguins have been scouring the NHL looking for younger players to grow with the club.

In full disclosure, it would seem part of our analysis was wrong–it does not appear that Dubas acquired Schenn to be trade bait.

As part of the trades, Dubas agreed to receive questions via email Wednesday evening, compiled and submitted via single email by the local chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA). Questions were submitted by the five beat outlets covering the Pittsburgh Penguins, including Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

Kyle Dubas

1) What was the motivation for the Nashville trade, especially given Schenn’s age?

“We looked at the two trades in totality – Desharnais, Bunting, and a pick for Novak, Schenn, and a pick.  The motivation was that Tommy was younger, under team control for an additional season over Bunts, carried a lower cap charge, and is primarily a center – we felt that carried a large amount of value as we move ahead here with our plans. As for Luke, his experience, leadership, toughness, and spirit will be a major benefit to helping the Penguins maintain standards and support our existing core as they help to lead us through this phase in our program’s evolution.”

2.) What does Kyle like about Novak beyond the player still being under contract and on the right side of 30?

“We like Tommy’s ability to control play, generate scoring chances for himself and others, and produce at even strength. Nashville did a great job with his development over the years, and he blossomed into a very solid player for them. He has been on our priority list for a few years now, and we feel his mobility, playmaking, and production as a center make him a great option in the years ahead.”

3) Did you acquire Luke Schenn with the intent to keep him beyond the trade deadline/summer?

“We moved Vinny to San Jose in lockstep with the Nashville trade because we feel that Luke’s defensive play, character, leadership, toughness, and spirit are what we need here to help push our program through this phase and preserve our culture and standards as we work to return to contention. We believe the way he plays and the way he carries himself each day will be very well received by Penguins fans and the City of Pittsburgh.”

4) Why did Bunting not fit into the Penguins’ plans moving forward? He seemed to find traction here.

“I wouldn’t say that that Bunts didn’t fit into our plans. As we know, I’ve got a long relationship with Bunts and think the world of him as a person and player. Last season, he came in at a tough time, right when we had pivoted the Penguins from two decades of – rightfully – really going for it every season. His competitiveness and scoring were a key factor in the late-season run for us here. After a tough start this season, he showed his usual resilience and rebounded for us. In the end, Bunts was obviously central to Nashville doing this deal, and those are the difficult decisions you have to make in this chair.  Regardless of personal feelings, we have to always do what’s in the best interest of the Pittsburgh Penguins.”

5) How do you view the market — sellers or buyers — with less than two days before the deadline?

“This is one of the more unique markets that I’ve encountered leading up to the trade deadline. There’s a lot of parity and different strategies that contending teams have deployed, combined with teams that are out of the race being very clear that with the salary cap going up in 2025-2026 and the two years beyond, they plan to be aggressive with their acquisitions come July. Overall, I think we are positioned well over the next few days – but especially heading into the summer and beyond – to continue to execute our plan as we have been for the last 12 months and continue to work to return the Penguins back into contention as soon as possible.”