Michael Bunting. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Top NHL insider calls out Penguins for completing 'dumbest' trade in the last 25 years

Originally posted on Hockey Unplugged | By Tom Banks | Last updated Mar 8, 2025 11:16 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Penguins made a surprising trade on Wednesday, sending winger Michael Bunting to the Nashville Predators. A top insider has called out the team for the return it got for Michael Bunting.

The return for Bunting? The Penguins received 27-year old Tommy Novak and a 33-year old Luke Schenn — the latter of whom was flipped to the Jets.

While one writer praised the Pens for moves that could hasten their rebuild, a top insider was not impressed with this trade.

Top NHL insider Frank Seravalli has now taken a swipe at Kyle Dubas and the Penguins front office, calling it one of the "dumbest" hockey trades of the century.

"On the surface, this is arguably the dumbest hockey trade that's been executed in the last 25 years. These 2 teams that are so far out of it shouldn't even be allowed to call each other (at deadline). I'm not even kidding."

For some, Schenn and Novak were confusing pieces to receive, but ultimately, it appears as though the team believes both players can help them get back into contention.

Kyle Dubas has been under fire almost from the moment he arrived in Pittsburgh, and this trade certainly won't help his standing with the fans.

This article first appeared on Hockey Unplugged and was syndicated with permission.

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