Takeaways from Kyle Dubas’ press conference: Mike Sullivan, Erik Karlsson and what is next

It sounds like Mike Sullivan will be back and some strong words for defenseman Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas met with the media on Monday and discussed the 2024-25 season and what is ahead for the organization.

Here are some of the biggest topics that were discussed and some takeaways from them.

1. It sounds like Mike Sullivan will be back

Not that it should be a surprise. Despite the third straight non-playoff season and the lack of a playoff series win since the 2017-18 season there has not really been any indication that Sullivan was in any danger of losing his job this offseason.

When asked about Sullivan’s status, Dubas said that Sullivan remains under contract, is an elite-level coach, has stated his intentions and what he wants and that the organization will “reaffirm that.”

Takeaway: Is this really surprising? I know fans have called for him to be fired. The Rangers media seems to think it is their right to have him coach the team at some point. In terms of results, he has received a significantly longer leash than almost any other coach in the NHL would get. The Penguins are fiercely loyal to Sullivan, still see him as a good coach, and appear to be of the mindset that as long as you have a good coach you shouldn’t be in a rush to get rid of them. At some point the Penguins are going to need a new voice and a new direction. Maybe they are at that point. The organization disagrees.

2. Strong words for Erik Karlsson

The most interesting part of Dubas’ press conference might have been when defenseman Erik Karlsson was the topic.

Specifically, this quote:

“My push would be his actions have to match his ambitions” is a hell of a comment.

While Dubas pointed out that Karlsson had some high points and showed he still has that level in him, there were some inconsistencies that became an issue.

Harsh. But fair.

Takeaway: I have to imagine that if the Penguins could move Karlsson’s contract they might be happy to do so. I do not fault the effort or the swing in acquiring him, but I do not think it is unfair to say it has not quite worked out as hoped. He is still a brilliant offensive player, and it still comes out at times. The offensive production is still there. He has been a top-10 scorer among defensemen since joining the Penguins and there is still value in that. But the defensive shortcomings and consistency have been real. If they retain a bit of salary they might not only be able to move him, but probably get back more than they originally gave up to get him.

3. On the goalies

Dubas said he expects both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic to be back next season, but that they should also expect to get competition from both Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomgqvist.

Takeaway: That does not exactly inspire much confidence in the position, but what else is he supposed to say here? Both players are under contract, and both players are probably not easily movable given those contracts. You can not totally throw them under the bus because you still probably want to trade them, but you also have to apply some pressure to them and let them know there are other potential options on the way. While Murashov is the most promising prospect here I really do not see him starting the season in Pittsburgh. He might get a chance at some point next season, but his development is too important to rush him.

4. Trades are the way

The salary cap is rising, the Penguins have some salary cap flexibility and they also have a ton of draft picks over the next few years (30 over the next three years to be exact, more than any other team in the NHL). It sounds like some of those picks could be trade assets.

Dubas said they are far more likely to spend in the trade market, or in sign-and-trade deals with restricted free agents. He also downplayed the possibility of restricted free agency offer sheets because of how much salary cap space most teams have and how easily offer sheets could be matched.

Takeaway: This just makes sense. Mitch Marner is the biggest name on the free agent market, and while there is an obvious connection between him and Dubas, I just do not think that is a realistic possibility. The cost, where the Penguins are and what Marner is probably looking for are not really a match at this point. When you get beyond Marner, the free agent class loses a lot of luster. As it usually does every summer when you get beyond the top two or three names. It is usually just a list of players waiting to be overpaid after having already played their best hockey for somebody else. The Penguins have a cupboard full of second-and third-round picks that could be flipped for somebody that is younger and could potentially be both a short-term and long-term player.

5. Potential for young defensemen to get a look.

Dubas specifically mentioned Jack St. Ivany, Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke as players that could make a push next season on defense.

Takeaway: St. Ivany and Pickering are not really surprises. St. Ivany has already had a taste of NHL action the past two years, and Pickering is far enough into his development that it is going to be time to expect to see him on a more full-time basis. Brunicke would probably need a heck of a training camp and preseason to play his way into an NHL spot right away. He is a really intriguing prospect and has some serious upside, but he has also played just 10 games of pro hockey to this point. Some patience should be needed and expected there.

6. Dubas seems a better outlook than a year ago

Even with fewer points in the standings and with another missed postseason, Dubas still sees progress and thinks they are back on the road to contention more than they were this past March.

Takeaway: This is honestly a fair assessment. The prospect pool today versus a year ago is remarkably different thanks to both the Jake Guentzel trade (which has brought in Ville Koivunen and Harrison Brunicke) and the Rutger McGroarty addition. The development of Murashov has also been huge. There are some serious prospects in the organization that are knocking on the door of the NHL, and in the case of McGroarty and Koivunen should be potential contributors as soon as next season. They have prospects, future salary cap flexibility, some nice trade assets and some potentially high draft picks this year and next. They are not close as currently constructed at the NHL level. The long-term outlook is not terrible, though.