Contenders, Not Sellers: The Inside Look at the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Surprising Early-Season Strategy

0 Diana khan November 13, 2025

As we near the crucial American Thanksgiving benchmark—the NHL’s unofficial checkpoint for separating contenders from pretenders—one thing is clear: The Pittsburgh Penguins are firmly in the contender column. That early-season noise about a potential fire sale or a veteran teardown? You can officially put that to bed.

This surprisingly strong start hasn’t just put points on the board; it has fundamentally altered the trade strategy for GM Kyle Dubas. From where I sit, this isn’t a shock, but a validation of the process.

Kyle Dubas’s Balancing Act: Win Now, Retool Later

Let’s be blunt: any thought of moving significant pieces like Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, or Rickard Rakell is off the table. As long as this team is humming and squarely in the playoff hunt, those veterans aren’t going anywhere. You simply do not pull the rug out from under a franchise icon like Sidney Crosby when he has a legitimate shot at another postseason run. Doing so would be malpractice, and it would destroy the dressing room’s trust in the front office.

What we’re seeing from Kyle Dubas is a delicate and impressive balancing act. He was clear from day one: the goal was to retool the roster with an eye on the future without sacrificing the present. This strong start proves his initial moves were sound. He’s now earned the right to let this group ride it out.

What Does This Mean for the Trade Deadline?

This is the key takeaway for fans: “not selling” does not automatically mean “big-time buying.” While the Pittsburgh Penguins are proving they’re a playoff-caliber team, I don’t see Dubas suddenly pivoting to spend first-round picks and top prospects on rentals come March 6.

Why? Because his ultimate goal, as he’s stated, isn’t just to make the playoffs. It’s to build a sustainable championship contender. Mortgaging the future he’s trying to build for a short-term boost that might not get them over the top doesn’t align with that vision. The plan is to remain competitive while infusing youth. This successful start buys him time and proves his core hypothesis: this team, as constructed, is still good enough to compete. Expect targeted, smart moves, not a deadline splash. The Pittsburgh Penguins are contenders, and they’re going to proceed with calculated confidence.