Back in 1993 when the Penguins were at the very pinnacle of their early success, Sports Illustrated published an article about Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman titled Master Conductor.
The reason I bring it up today? IMHO, the Pens have a new master conductor.
Kyle Dubas.
I’d posted an article on PenguinPoop earlier this season comparing his work to that of Jim Rutherford’s during the Cup seasons. In particular, the job Dubas has done since last spring’s trade deadline? In my eyes, nothing short of brilliant. Culminating in his recent Danton Heinen and picks for Egor Chinakhov heist.
With his absolutely lethal release and shot, not to mention world-class bursts of speed, “Chinny’s” piled up eight goals in just 18 games for the black-and-gold, a 36-goal pace over a full season.
In the words of Mike Lange, Dubas should get five-to-ten for that one.
That isn’t his only master stroke. Extracting solid pros Brett Kulak and Stuart Skinner, not to mention a second-round pick, for thought-to-be-untradeable Tristan Jarry and failed prospect Sam Poulin?
Again, sheer brilliance.
Taken as a whole, his work over the past 11 months has been every bit as impressive if not more. Here’s a recap of his moves that have directly shaped our roster.
- March 5, 2025—Acquired Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn from Nashville for Michael Bunting and a 4th-round pick in the 2026 Entry Draft;
- March 7, 2025—Acquired Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins from Toronto for a 5th-round pick in the 2025 Entry Draft;
- April 29, 2025—Signed free agent Filip Hållander;
- June 27, 2025—Selected Ben Kindel in the 1st round (11th overall) at the 2025 Entry Draft;
- June 28, 2025—Acquired Connor Clifton and a 2nd-round pick in the 2025 Entry Draft from Buffalo for Isaac Belliveau and Conor Timmins;
- July 2, 2025—Signed free agents Justin Brazeau, Caleb Jones, Anthony Mantha and Parker Wotherspoon;
- July 10, 2025—Acquired Matt Dumba and a 2nd-round pick from Dallas for Vladislav Kolyachonok;
- July 13, 2025—Acquired Arturs Silovs from Vancouver for Chris Stillman and a 4th-round pick in the 2027 Entry Draft;
- December 12, 2025—Acquired Brett Kulak, Stuart Skinner and a 2nd-round pick in the 2029 Entry Draft from Edmonton for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin;
- December 29, 2025—Acquired Egor Chinakhov from Columbus for Danton Heinen, a 2nd-round pick in the 2026 Entry Draft and a 3rd-round pick in the 2027 Entry Draft;
- December 31, 2025—Acquired Egor Zamula from Philadelphia for Philip Tomasino;
- January 20, 2026—Acquired Ilya Solovyov from Colorado for Valtteri Puustinen and a 7th-round pick in the 2026 Entry Draft.
Heck, his work in December alone should earn Dubas Executive of the Year honors.
In particular, the eye he and his staff have displayed for securing undervalued or underperforming talent is nothing short of remarkable. Literally every player he’s brought in has something to prove and better still, are playing like it.
Several of his additions, including Brazeau, Dewar, Mantha, Silovs and Wotherspoon have already established career highs or on pace to do so.
Not only has he completely overhauled a roster that was badly in need of one, he’s done it on the comparative cheap and without dealing any assets of consequence. Indeed, the Pens boast a stockpile of 25 picks over the next three drafts, including nine in the first and second rounds, not to mention gobs of cap space.
It’s a trait Dubas displayed dating back to his Erik Karlsson blockbuster in the summer of 2023. Getting something for nothing. Or more accurately, guys we don’t want or no longer have use for.
However, it isn’t just his work on the personnel front. Dubas had the cojones to replace Cup-winning coach Mike Sullivan, whose message and approach had grown stale, with a relative unknown in Dan Muse. The rookie coach and his staff have pushed all the right buttons and certainly deserve their share of the credit.
The team’s playing fast, spirited and connected hockey. Supremely entertaining to boot, and a night-and-day difference from the past few seasons.
It all starts at the top with our master conductor.
It starts with Dubas.