What happened: Since taking over in 2023, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has executed several significant trades, highlighted by acquiring Erik Karlsson in a deal with the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens. Dubas later traded Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package including Michael Bunting and Ville Koivunen.

Why it matters: The Karlsson acquisition unloaded the contracts of Jeff Petry, Casey Desmith, and Mikael Granlund while giving Sidney Crosby another premier offensive defenseman. The Guentzel deal marked a pivot toward a younger roster, as the team focused on rebuilding its prospect pool over immediate championship contention.

What to watch: Dubas remains open to strengthening the roster through trade as the offseason continues. The development of recently acquired prospects will likely dictate the ultimate success of the Guentzel deal.