As the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in a playoff position in the Metropolitan Division, they are also simultaneously facing questions about rebuilding their roster. With the NHL trade deadline approaching and the Penguins standing out as likely buyers this season, they are now being urged to address their trade needs. Owing to this situation, observers around the league say that general manager Kyle Dubas should prioritize strengthening one specific area before the March deadline.
According to reports, the Penguins are currently holding a solid spot bolstered by strong performances from their core, but they lack robust depth on the blue line. Meanwhile, analysts think that Pittsburgh could benefit from adding an extra defenseman, especially a right-shot blueliner, to support the back end.
NHL analyst urges Pittsburgh Penguins to address key trade need ahead of March 6 deadline
With the 2025-26 deadline approaching, analysts are urging the
Pittsburgh Penguins to reinforce their roster, particularly by strengthening their defensive depth. This is essential for the team if they want to maintain their strong position in the playoff race. Earlier, the Penguins had improved with a recent goalie swap but remained committed to a retooling plan, and with an addition to the blue line of the team, it would certainly help in their position in the Metropolitan Division.
Rust, Letang, Hallander, Muse Media Availability (2.17.26) | Pittsburgh Penguins
In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Adam Gretz argued that the Penguins' top trade need ahead of the deadline is to add to their defensive depth, which would certainly benefit the team.
"They have plenty of forward depth at both the NHL and AHL levels, but could definitely use more defensive depth. The defense has overachieved this season and has improved rapidly as the season has progressed, but additional depth should be Kyle Dubas's focus over the next few weeks," Gretz wrote, and it is indeed true that the Penguins would benefit by adding to their blueline, especially when noting that they have been dealing with several cases of player injury this season.
NHL analysts are also suggesting that general manager Kyle Dubas should explore the market for additional defensemen who can provide stability and depth. Amidst this speculation and rumor, certain names that are creating the chatter mill include players like Zach Whitecloud, Connor Murphy, and Timothy Liljegren. It would be interesting to see what decision the Penguins GM Dubas will make to their roster ahead of the approaching March trade deadline.