I’ve written on at least two occasions how much I like and admire the work Penguins POHO/GM Kyle Dubas has done since the last trade deadline.
SCRAAAAAATCH.
That sound you just heard (read) was me dragging the needle across the phonograph record. Another way of saying all good things must come to an end.
This reaction is pure knee-jerk, mind you. But at first blush, I decidedly, unabashedly and unequivocally do not like the deal Dubas swung today, sending defenseman Brett Kulak to Colorado for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick.
Basically, Matt Grzelcyk heavy or light, depending on your perspective.
While I fully realize Kulak is a pending UFA, he was IMHO a well-rounded defender who did everything reasonably well. Not the least of which was stabilize Kris Letang, who played his best hockey of the season when paired with the ex-Oiler. Which basically means we may have surrendered not one but two effective defensemen in the deal.
I confess, I don’t know a ton about Girard other than the fact that he’s a mobile puck-mover who consistently produces around 30 points. Decent Corsi and xGF%. Under water in terms of actual 5v5 goals for percentage. Poor WAR metrics, according the last JFresh chart I could locate, which admittedly was a couple of years old.
Way undersized at 5’10” 170.
Yeah, that’ll work when defending the net front. Especially if he’s paired with Letang.
Like I said, a Grzelcyk redux.
The shame of it is, the Pens had a really nice blend of skill and stay-at-home physicality prior to this deal. A balance we seem fated to screw up.
Remind me again what type of hockey prevails in the postseason. Kill ‘em with skill or pound ‘em into dust?
Guess which one Girard’s equipped for? (Hint, it ain’t the latter.)
Searching for positives, perhaps Dubas feels Ilya Solovyov can eventually fill Kulak’s role. And Girard is well-equipped to support coach Dan Muse’s connected, pedal-to-the metal style.
But, hoo boy, watch out for the goals against to be on the rise on the back end.
Cap-wise, the 27-year-old, left-shot rearguard is under contract for another season at $5 million. Not a drop in the bucket, but not egregious, either.
Hopefully, the deal work outs and Girard makes me eat my words. But for now (grumble)…