Ryan Wilson: Thoughts on Kyle Dubas' thoughts Thoughts on Kyle Dubas' thoughts

Technically, we went to Terry Blacks, not the Original Blacks, but they're the same family and supposedly the meats are essentially the same.

The beef rib looked amazing, but also huge and more difficult to share with my kids. We have been in San Antonio the past few days, but we're flying home from Austin tomorrow and may have time to get some BBQ before heading to the airport.

if you have time, take your kids to Torchy's Tacos. It's a chain of Tex-Mex fromm Austin but they are all over TX. They have awesome tacos, and make sure you get the hillbilly queso with the chorizo. We just got one in St. Pete here in FL, and I love that place.

Ask for the secret menu -- there are a few tacos on there worth getting.

Do not get BBQ at the Austin airport -- it's (frank)ing disappointing.

Yeah, we're not going to eat at the airport, looking to get some BBQ before heading to the airport ... then just pass out in a food coma for the flight back.

Yeah, we're not going to eat at the airport, looking to get some BBQ before heading to the airport ... then just pass out in a food coma for the flight back.
- MickV

Good idea -- check out KGBBQ or InterStellar BBQ.

KG is like 15 minutes from the airport
https://www.kgbbq.com/


Interstellar is a bit more of a hike
https://www.theinterstellarbbq.com/

Washington only really held on to Ovechkin. The big difference in Pittsburgh is they hamstrung themselves to too many guys not named Crosby for too long.

Washington only really held on to Ovechkin. The big difference in Pittsburgh is they hamstrung themselves to too many guys not named Crosby for too long.
- greenyone

They held onto Ovi, Carlson, and Tom Wilson.

All of Dubas’s comments make me feel dead center between I agree and I disagree collectively. The future doesn’t start until Sid retires.

They held onto Ovi, Carlson, and Tom Wilson.
- j.boyd919

If backstrom didn’t miss most of his later years he’d be the equivalent of malkin as someone they held on to.

If backstrom didn’t miss most of his later years he’d be the equivalent of malkin as someone they held on to.
- ChrisMS

Yup.

While i fully expect EK65 to be traded with some salary retention, i dont know what the defense looks like next yr. That graves contract is a drag. But i would like pickering and st ivany up. and what about brunicke?

As for forwards, are Heinen, Hayes, Lizotte and Acciari blocking any younger players? If ville and rutger are up, are there spots for guys like broz, koppanen, puusty, ponomarev?

While i fully expect EK65 to be traded with some salary retention, i dont know what the defense looks like next yr. That graves contract is a drag. But i would like pickering and st ivany up. and what about brunicke?

As for forwards, are Heinen, Hayes, Lizotte and Acciari blocking any younger players? If ville and rutger are up, are there spots for guys like broz, koppanen, puusty, ponomarev?
- i'mjustafan

I havent seen alot about Ponomarev and where he fits. Is he someone projected to make an impact in the NHL or still too early to know or tweener is his ceiling?

I havent seen alot about Ponomarev and where he fits. Is he someone projected to make an impact in the NHL or still too early to know or tweener is his ceiling?
- kgrpitt

I think he's a tweener. Offensively he's not that impressive, he just got some hype of his roomie AHL year, but hasn't been a high end scorer any other year before or after. He's been in the minors for 3 years and will have to clear waivers, so he's in the same situation as Poulin was last year and doesn't have a clear path to make the team. They don't trade for Novak if they expect a center to emerge soon IMO.

While i fully expect EK65 to be traded with some salary retention, i dont know what the defense looks like next yr. That graves contract is a drag. But i would like pickering and st ivany up. and what about brunicke?

As for forwards, are Heinen, Hayes, Lizotte and Acciari blocking any younger players? If ville and rutger are up, are there spots for guys like broz, koppanen, puusty, ponomarev?
- i'mjustafan

Those are you're fourth line guys so not really. They block guys like Poulin and Kopp.

Sleeper people should consider is Avery Hayes. Tied for the team lead in goals and is only 22. A bit of a pest too.

All of Dubas’s comments make me feel dead center between I agree and I disagree collectively. The future doesn’t start until Sid retires.
- Grinder47

Assumingnsid actually wants another shot at a cup and is willing to be traded, Dubai really should do him, thebpenguins, and the whole hockey world, a favour and trade him to a contender.

This team was dead the minute dubas came on board and the nail in the coffin was the signing of Karlsson. Time to rebuild.

Assumingnsid actually wants another shot at a cup and is willing to be traded, Dubai really should do him, thebpenguins, and the whole hockey world, a favour and trade him to a contender.

This team was dead the minute dubas came on board and the nail in the coffin was the signing of Karlsson. Time to rebuild.
- prock

Youre assuming something that has no basis.

Youre assuming something that has no basis.
- SuperHenderson13

Exactly, if Sid wanted to go to a contender, they'd probably ask him what team. He's not being held captive. He wants to be a one team guy.

Assumingnsid actually wants another shot at a cup and is willing to be traded, Dubai really should do him, thebpenguins, and the whole hockey world, a favour and trade him to a contender.

This team was dead the minute dubas came on board and the nail in the coffin was the signing of Karlsson. Time to rebuild.
- prock

Sid wants another shot at a cup in a Pens uniform.

I feel like there’s too many mediocre contracts eating away at their cap space and the younger players are still too early in their development to be game changers. Next year won’t be any better unless you offload contracts like Hayes, Graves, and Acciari and use that money for legitimate free agents like Ekblad, Ehlers, and/or Bennett.

I’m all for repeating another season like this and getting a high pick (and hopefully the Rangers give us their 2026 pick). Then you have Hayes, Acciari, Heinen, Lizotte, and possibly Malkin coming off the books. Karlsson would be easier to trade with less term. Younger players get a year of more development at the NHL level. Dubas would have a much better understanding of how guys like Pickering and Mcgroarty will be used.

I feel like there’s too many mediocre contracts eating away at their cap space and the younger players are still too early in their development to be game changers. Next year won’t be any better unless you offload contracts like Hayes, Graves, and Acciari and use that money for legitimate free agents like Ekblad, Ehlers, and/or Bennett.

I’m all for repeating another season like this and getting a high pick (and hopefully the Rangers give us their 2026 pick). Then you have Hayes, Acciari, Heinen, Lizotte, and possibly Malkin coming off the books. Karlsson would be easier to trade with less term. Younger players get a year of more development at the NHL level. Dubas would have a much better understanding of how guys like Pickering and Mcgroarty will be used.
- drummer829

Acciari and Hayes will both be expiring. If Dubas wants to trade him he can. We’re stuck with Graves and Jarry though.

Just noticed Dan Bylsma got canned after one year. Ouch. I guess the Kraken didn't get to their game.

I feel like there’s too many mediocre contracts eating away at their cap space and the younger players are still too early in their development to be game changers. Next year won’t be any better unless you offload contracts like Hayes, Graves, and Acciari and use that money for legitimate free agents like Ekblad, Ehlers, and/or Bennett.

I’m all for repeating another season like this and getting a high pick (and hopefully the Rangers give us their 2026 pick). Then you have Hayes, Acciari, Heinen, Lizotte, and possibly Malkin coming off the books. Karlsson would be easier to trade with less term. Younger players get a year of more development at the NHL level. Dubas would have a much better understanding of how guys like Pickering and Mcgroarty will be used.
- drummer829

He pretty much said he wasn't interested in UFA's who are 30+. He's interested in trading for younger players. RFA's. Of course it won't be easy getting good young players in a trade. Teams tend to keep those lol.

Acciari and Hayes will both be expiring. If Dubas wants to trade him he can. We’re stuck with Graves and Jarry though.
- Victoro311

Not stuck. We can always trade our bad players for good players.

Good idea -- check out KGBBQ or InterStellar BBQ.

KG is like 15 minutes from the airport
https://www.kgbbq.com/


Interstellar is a bit more of a hike
https://www.theinterstellarbbq.com/
- j.boyd919

KG isn't open on Wednesdays and Interstellar was just too out of the way. We ended up going back to Terry Black's and getting the beef rib and more brisket, which was a good way to say goodbye to Texas. (On our flight home now.)

KG isn't open on Wednesdays and Interstellar was just too out of the way. We ended up going back to Terry Black's and getting the beef rib and more brisket, which was a good way to say goodbye to Texas. (On our flight home now.)
- MickV

That beef rib is something special lol I’ll for sure be stopping by in Dallas when I go for work.

How would our fanbase react if the Pens won the Presidents trophy last year, headed into this season a favourite, ended up missing the playoffs and we rewarded Dubas with an extension and raise? hahaha