Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[Bo_Pens]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

[FLPensFan]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

I think the people that are upset at the current direction, the Nietos and Acciaris playing over Puljujarvis, etc, realize that this group isn't going to win another Cup. I also think that faction is growing by the month. So much so that...I really start to wonder if Dubas and Sullivan risk tarnishing a bit of Sid's legacy, because all we here is we can't do X while Sid is here.

Nobody wants to sit through a bunch of mid, mediocre years as a team as some weird way to placate Crosby. No playoffs or first round exits, and mid teens draft picks for 2-3 more years isn't going to put fans in the seats.

I'm not criticizing Crosby at all here, but, this is where I would like to see Sid step up and say "Let's do whatever is best for the franchise." Did Lemieux come back because he thought he was going to win another Cup? Maybe. But I think he also played as long as he did because he knew it would help put butts in seats, and that was what the team needed. Same thing Jagr has been doing for Kladno and playing into his 50s.

You don't have to tear it down to the studs and trade everyone, but, instead of filling the lineup with Beauvillier, Hayes, Acciari, and Nieto, they should be getting better looks at Poulin, Broz, Koivunen, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev. There's a good chance by the time a major rebuild happens, players like Pickering, Blomqvist, etc may not even be part of that next new "dynasty," but rather, a means to building them up into solid players to ship out and acquire more draft collateral.

We are now 2 years without a playoff game, 6 years without a series win. This team went 4 years with no playoffs before Crosby came, and they went 6 years without playoffs before and right after Lemieux came in. I don't like that we've already missed 2 years and still aren't committed to the next phase.

I think it's time to stop threading the needle and do what is good for the greater good of the franchise.

[Daniel]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

I think the people that are upset at the current direction, the Nietos and Acciaris playing over Puljujarvis, etc, realize that this group isn't going to win another Cup. I also think that faction is growing by the month. So much so that...I really start to wonder if Dubas and Sullivan risk tarnishing a bit of Sid's legacy, because all we here is we can't do X while Sid is here.

Nobody wants to sit through a bunch of mid, mediocre years as a team as some weird way to placate Crosby. No playoffs or first round exits, and mid teens draft picks for 2-3 more years isn't going to put fans in the seats.

I'm not criticizing Crosby at all here, but, this is where I would like to see Sid step up and say "Let's do whatever is best for the franchise." Did Lemieux come back because he thought he was going to win another Cup? Maybe. But I think he also played as long as he did because he knew it would help put butts in seats, and that was what the team needed. Same thing Jagr has been doing for Kladno and playing into his 50s.

You don't have to tear it down to the studs and trade everyone, but, instead of filling the lineup with Beauvillier, Hayes, Acciari, and Nieto, they should be getting better looks at Poulin, Broz, Koivunen, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev. There's a good chance by the time a major rebuild happens, players like Pickering, Blomqvist, etc may not even be part of that next new "dynasty," but rather, a means to building them up into solid players to ship out and acquire more draft collateral.

We are now 2 years without a playoff game, 6 years without a series win. This team went 4 years with no playoffs before Crosby came, and they went 6 years without playoffs before and right after Lemieux came in. I don't like that we've already missed 2 years and still aren't committed to the next phase.

I think it's time to stop threading the needle and do what is good for the greater good of the franchise.

Let me ask your thoughts. What if we did all the things we discussed and go into next year with a new coach and this roster.

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
McGroarty/Misa - Malkin - Tomasino
DOC - Lizotte - Martone/McGroarty
Glass - Poulin - Broz

Pickering - Letang
POJ - Karlsson
Belliveau - Brunicke

Blomqvist
Ned

Obviously that's not a perfect scenario, but you see where I'm going. Question is with that lineup (or something similar) do the Penguins compete for a cup in the next 2-3 years?

[FLPensFan]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

I think the people that are upset at the current direction, the Nietos and Acciaris playing over Puljujarvis, etc, realize that this group isn't going to win another Cup. I also think that faction is growing by the month. So much so that...I really start to wonder if Dubas and Sullivan risk tarnishing a bit of Sid's legacy, because all we here is we can't do X while Sid is here.

Nobody wants to sit through a bunch of mid, mediocre years as a team as some weird way to placate Crosby. No playoffs or first round exits, and mid teens draft picks for 2-3 more years isn't going to put fans in the seats.

I'm not criticizing Crosby at all here, but, this is where I would like to see Sid step up and say "Let's do whatever is best for the franchise." Did Lemieux come back because he thought he was going to win another Cup? Maybe. But I think he also played as long as he did because he knew it would help put butts in seats, and that was what the team needed. Same thing Jagr has been doing for Kladno and playing into his 50s.

You don't have to tear it down to the studs and trade everyone, but, instead of filling the lineup with Beauvillier, Hayes, Acciari, and Nieto, they should be getting better looks at Poulin, Broz, Koivunen, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev. There's a good chance by the time a major rebuild happens, players like Pickering, Blomqvist, etc may not even be part of that next new "dynasty," but rather, a means to building them up into solid players to ship out and acquire more draft collateral.

We are now 2 years without a playoff game, 6 years without a series win. This team went 4 years with no playoffs before Crosby came, and they went 6 years without playoffs before and right after Lemieux came in. I don't like that we've already missed 2 years and still aren't committed to the next phase.

I think it's time to stop threading the needle and do what is good for the greater good of the franchise.

Let me ask your thoughts. What if we did all the things we discussed and go into next year with a new coach and this roster.

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
McGroarty/Misa - Malkin - Tomasino
DOC - Lizotte - Martone/McGroarty
Glass - Poulin - Broz

Pickering - Letang
POJ - Karlsson
Belliveau - Brunicke

Blomqvist
Ned

Obviously that's not a perfect scenario, but you see where I'm going. Question is with that lineup (or something similar) do the Penguins compete for a cup in the next 2-3 years?

Nope. I don't see a realistic path to this team getting to ECF or SCF with this core still here. And the reason is the Penguins missed their opportunities, spent money on the wrong players, and they don't have the right mix of players. I'm not going to harp on all the potential trades and signings this team could have / should have made, but...the lineup below, with Hextall and Dubas making much different decisions, was entirely possible:

Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Niederreiter-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Strome-Rodrigues
McGroarty-Lizotte-Glass
x-Poulin, Puustinen

Pettersson-Letang
Chychrun-Marino
Pickering-X
x-POJ

Jarry
Blomqvist

I don't know about you, but to me, that's a pretty strong lineup. The Acciari, Nieto, Carter, Hayes, Granlund, Petry, Marino, Karlsson deals are what really killed this franchises hope for another Cup soon.

The team defense is probably the biggest issue. Karlsson takes up too much cap and is not outweighing his negative attributes. I also don't see a ton of good UFA options to fix the defense...which gets into trades...which gets into trading futures...which, goes against the direction this franchise should be heading.

[Antonio]

There is no way this team is a real competitor in the next few years. It's astonishing anyone could even imagine such an insane scenario so detached from reality.

[FLPensFan]

There is no way this team is a real competitor in the next few years. It's astonishing anyone could even imagine such an insane scenario so detached from reality.

Actually....I thought about it a little more, and I think there is a way the Penguins could make a final run at a deeper playoff run. BUT...it would require them to sacrifice high draft picks and potentially guys like Pickering, Brunicke, Howe, Blomqvist/Murashov and McGroarty to add the types of pieces they would need.

In general, I don't like the idea of doing that. On the flip side, if this team's plan is to continue doing a poor job at skirting the line between future looking and trying to compete, they might as well just through everything they have at acquiring the pieces they need and starting from scratch once the core is done.

Right now, I don't have confidence that they can be successful with the current plan, or the mortgage everything plan.

[Antonio]

I think that even if you sell all the things left in the cupboard of any value, you still don't have what it would take because your "core" is spent. Crosby alone isn't dragging this team to the finals... maybe if you had a quality team all around and young, quality replacements for malkin and Letang but you don't. You aren't winning with your "core" just a few years from a combined 120 years old. It's just too much. Could you do it if you moved all the valuable assets (and I mean ALL of them) AND get some value for malkin and Letang? Maybe, theoretically, but I honestly don't know what a realistic path of that looks like. As you and others have already said, the window to avoid this situation was there in the recent years but the organization consistently chose to take a different road and here we are.

[Bo_Pens]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

I think the people that are upset at the current direction, the Nietos and Acciaris playing over Puljujarvis, etc, realize that this group isn't going to win another Cup. I also think that faction is growing by the month. So much so that...I really start to wonder if Dubas and Sullivan risk tarnishing a bit of Sid's legacy, because all we here is we can't do X while Sid is here.

Nobody wants to sit through a bunch of mid, mediocre years as a team as some weird way to placate Crosby. No playoffs or first round exits, and mid teens draft picks for 2-3 more years isn't going to put fans in the seats.

I'm not criticizing Crosby at all here, but, this is where I would like to see Sid step up and say "Let's do whatever is best for the franchise." Did Lemieux come back because he thought he was going to win another Cup? Maybe. But I think he also played as long as he did because he knew it would help put butts in seats, and that was what the team needed. Same thing Jagr has been doing for Kladno and playing into his 50s.

You don't have to tear it down to the studs and trade everyone, but, instead of filling the lineup with Beauvillier, Hayes, Acciari, and Nieto, they should be getting better looks at Poulin, Broz, Koivunen, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev. There's a good chance by the time a major rebuild happens, players like Pickering, Blomqvist, etc may not even be part of that next new "dynasty," but rather, a means to building them up into solid players to ship out and acquire more draft collateral.

We are now 2 years without a playoff game, 6 years without a series win. This team went 4 years with no playoffs before Crosby came, and they went 6 years without playoffs before and right after Lemieux came in. I don't like that we've already missed 2 years and still aren't committed to the next phase.

I think it's time to stop threading the needle and do what is good for the greater good of the franchise.

Let me ask your thoughts. What if we did all the things we discussed and go into next year with a new coach and this roster.

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
McGroarty/Misa - Malkin - Tomasino
DOC - Lizotte - Martone/McGroarty
Glass - Poulin - Broz

Pickering - Letang
POJ - Karlsson
Belliveau - Brunicke

Blomqvist
Ned

Obviously that's not a perfect scenario, but you see where I'm going. Question is with that lineup (or something similar) do the Penguins compete for a cup in the next 2-3 years?

Nope. I don't see a realistic path to this team getting to ECF or SCF with this core still here. And the reason is the Penguins missed their opportunities, spent money on the wrong players, and they don't have the right mix of players. I'm not going to harp on all the potential trades and signings this team could have / should have made, but...the lineup below, with Hextall and Dubas making much different decisions, was entirely possible:

Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Niederreiter-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Strome-Rodrigues
McGroarty-Lizotte-Glass
x-Poulin, Puustinen

Pettersson-Letang
Chychrun-Marino
Pickering-X
x-POJ

Jarry
Blomqvist

I don't know about you, but to me, that's a pretty strong lineup. The Acciari, Nieto, Carter, Hayes, Granlund, Petry, Marino, Karlsson deals are what really killed this franchises hope for another Cup soon.

The team defense is probably the biggest issue. Karlsson takes up too much cap and is not outweighing his negative attributes. I also don't see a ton of good UFA options to fix the defense...which gets into trades...which gets into trading futures...which, goes against the direction this franchise should be heading.

Spot on!!

[Victor]

Taking a look at their schedule before the 4 Nations break, they start this month with 2 games away (FLA, CAR), then 5 at home (CBJ, EDM, OTT, TBL, SEA) and 7 on the road (BUF, WAS, LAK, ANA, SEA, SJS, UTA). In February, 2 games at home (NSH, NJD) and 2 away (NYR, PHI). That's a total of 7 games at home and 11 on the road. Most of these teams are either in a playoff spot or fighting for one. It's fair to say that only BUF, SJS and NSH are out of it.

Given their horrible 6-10-3 current record on the road (5 regulation wins in 19 games, .395 points percentage), I wouldn't be surprised if they fall further below the playoff line before the break, which could make the decision to sell much easier, if there is even one to make.

Only Crosby and Karlsson are playing in this tournament, it could be a good time to make a deal.

[KG]

[FLPensFan]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

[KG]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

Saw that Elias Pettersson might be on the block over the Miller rift. Can't believe they would move him before Miller.

Jimmy we can offer you your boy MP and take you pick of anything else off the roster for EP...I wish.

[Pitts]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

Saw that Elias Pettersson might be on the block over the Miller rift. Can't believe they would move him before Miller.

Jimmy we can offer you your boy MP and take you pick of anything else off the roster for EP...I wish.

That's a no-go. We no longer own the rights to Kapanen.

[EndO FanEra]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

Saw that Elias Pettersson might be on the block over the Miller rift. Can't believe they would move him before Miller.

Jimmy we can offer you your boy MP and take you pick of anything else off the roster for EP...I wish.

That would help speed up a retool pretty well with a youngish center to build around. I'm guessing they'd want a replacement C coming the other way, which we don't really have. Maybe they'd take a W?

Petterson, Rakell/Bunting, and picks/prospects?

Heck, we could even throw in Hayes if they want some veteran C depth, lol.

Petterson, Rakell/Bunting, Hayes, and picks/prospects for Pettersson & Hoglander.

[Dynasty1970]

FIRE SULLY

[dark_forces]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

Yohe and Madden were talking about this on air yesterday. They said Miller is a brash personality, but is the better player.
The interesting tidbit I took away was the fact they both said something happened similarly in Pittsburgh approx. 15 years ago with one player bullying another, only in that instance, it was the lesser talented player bullying the more talented one. They didn't name names, so I can't say who they were referring to.

[EndO FanEra]

Pettersson for Pettersson. LOL. Have you heard the rumors of tension between Pettersson and Miller, with the rumors being that Miller bullies Pettersson?

Yohe and Madden were talking about this on air yesterday. They said Miller is a brash personality, but is the better player.
The interesting tidbit I took away was the fact they both said something happened similarly in Pittsburgh approx. 15 years ago with one player bullying another, only in that instance, it was the lesser talented player bullying the more talented one. They didn't name names, so I can't say who they were referring to.

I heard that and was wondering who they were talking about. The only thing I could come up with at the time was maybe the Geno/Craig Adams rift.

[Crash66]

Craig Adams.

[BigMcK]

Matt Cooke. Timeline matches.

[dark_forces]

Matt Cooke. Timeline matches.

Who was Cooke bullying? Crosby? Malkin?

[BigMcK]

No idea, but my guess is Jordan Staal. Young player, not known for being a tough guy. Try and intimidate Crosby or Malkin would probably get you a one-way ticket in a forced trade.

[Daniel]

I think we need to be extremely honest and recognize that this team and its core will never win another Cup or be a threat as we currently sit. As fans we must accept this and jump on the future bandwagon. Old players must go, young players must be brought up sooner and blooded so that they can grow. Only so much can be learned at AHL level and below. If some of our Core are still playing for the new generation then terrific, but as good as Crosby, Malkin, Letang has been, I doubt they will be around for future years of great play and we must accept this. There history is legendary for the club, but time does not stand still. We should be actively trading now, not at the deadline, pull triggers, get younger, get faster, get hungrier. No rental players needed, just good young hockey players. Bring up 5 or 6 from WBS, don't worry about protecting the young keepers. I seemed to remember a certain Marc AF getting shelled his first two years. He turned out ok. Write of this team until 2026-2027. sell sell sell

I think the people that are upset at the current direction, the Nietos and Acciaris playing over Puljujarvis, etc, realize that this group isn't going to win another Cup. I also think that faction is growing by the month. So much so that...I really start to wonder if Dubas and Sullivan risk tarnishing a bit of Sid's legacy, because all we here is we can't do X while Sid is here.

Nobody wants to sit through a bunch of mid, mediocre years as a team as some weird way to placate Crosby. No playoffs or first round exits, and mid teens draft picks for 2-3 more years isn't going to put fans in the seats.

I'm not criticizing Crosby at all here, but, this is where I would like to see Sid step up and say "Let's do whatever is best for the franchise." Did Lemieux come back because he thought he was going to win another Cup? Maybe. But I think he also played as long as he did because he knew it would help put butts in seats, and that was what the team needed. Same thing Jagr has been doing for Kladno and playing into his 50s.

You don't have to tear it down to the studs and trade everyone, but, instead of filling the lineup with Beauvillier, Hayes, Acciari, and Nieto, they should be getting better looks at Poulin, Broz, Koivunen, Puustinen, Puljujarvi, and Ponomarev. There's a good chance by the time a major rebuild happens, players like Pickering, Blomqvist, etc may not even be part of that next new "dynasty," but rather, a means to building them up into solid players to ship out and acquire more draft collateral.

We are now 2 years without a playoff game, 6 years without a series win. This team went 4 years with no playoffs before Crosby came, and they went 6 years without playoffs before and right after Lemieux came in. I don't like that we've already missed 2 years and still aren't committed to the next phase.

I think it's time to stop threading the needle and do what is good for the greater good of the franchise.

Let me ask your thoughts. What if we did all the things we discussed and go into next year with a new coach and this roster.

Bunting - Crosby - Rust
McGroarty/Misa - Malkin - Tomasino
DOC - Lizotte - Martone/McGroarty
Glass - Poulin - Broz

Pickering - Letang
POJ - Karlsson
Belliveau - Brunicke

Blomqvist
Ned

Obviously that's not a perfect scenario, but you see where I'm going. Question is with that lineup (or something similar) do the Penguins compete for a cup in the next 2-3 years?

Nope. I don't see a realistic path to this team getting to ECF or SCF with this core still here. And the reason is the Penguins missed their opportunities, spent money on the wrong players, and they don't have the right mix of players. I'm not going to harp on all the potential trades and signings this team could have / should have made, but...the lineup below, with Hextall and Dubas making much different decisions, was entirely possible:

Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Niederreiter-Malkin-Tomasino
DOC-Strome-Rodrigues
McGroarty-Lizotte-Glass
x-Poulin, Puustinen

Pettersson-Letang
Chychrun-Marino
Pickering-X
x-POJ

Jarry
Blomqvist

I don't know about you, but to me, that's a pretty strong lineup. The Acciari, Nieto, Carter, Hayes, Granlund, Petry, Marino, Karlsson deals are what really killed this franchises hope for another Cup soon.

The team defense is probably the biggest issue. Karlsson takes up too much cap and is not outweighing his negative attributes. I also don't see a ton of good UFA options to fix the defense...which gets into trades...which gets into trading futures...which, goes against the direction this franchise should be heading.

You did notice where said replace Sullivan.

I think you'd have to do more, maybe move Malkin go Sids LW, move Rust to LW and get a top 2nd line C. Even when I was putting together the post, I realized that no matter what we discuss for the forwards, goalies, defensive defensemen, the albatross is Karlsson (or Letang, but I like Letang better). With my lineup and a better, and cheaper , D corp, you might be 1-2 moves away at the deadline without Karlsson. With him, I think no matter what moves you make he'll bring you down. You can't go full defense first posture because he'll ruin it and you can't go full offense first because the talent just isn't there.

[Cow_Master66]

This team doesn’t have to “tear it down to the studs” but they sure as **** should. People looking at competing in “2-3 years” is funny on the one hand, but a great example on the other as to how spoiled the fans have been. People in their 20s know almost nothing other than winning hockey.

This team should be selling high on everyone. Rackell is a nice chip right now to bring in futures. Karlsson is playing his best hockey since he arrived, although probably unmovable. Jarry is playing well. Since we all know the geezers are staying, they should be on the phone all day/night discussing everyone else.

Wanna see WBS guys get a chance, open up the spots for them.

[Sams_Dog]

I think that if the team fails to make the playoffs this year then Dubas will meet with Mike Sullivan and tell him that he has to accelerate the rebuild/reset...whatever and ask him if he wants to stay on for that. I don't think Sullivan will want to stay. He'll want to go to a competitive team and try for another Cup and he will most likely have several attractive options. If the team makes the playoffs I think it will be just barely and then this "try to remain competitive while also building for the future" scenario continues. I would rather see the former happen.

[Puck-Lurker]

I think that if the team fails to make the playoffs this year then Dubas will meet with Mike Sullivan and tell him that he has to accelerate the rebuild/reset...whatever and ask him if he wants to stay on for that. I don't think Sullivan will want to stay. He'll want to go to a competitive team and try for another Cup and he will most likely have several attractive options. If the team makes the playoffs I think it will be just barely and then this "try to remain competitive while also building for the future" scenario continues. I would rather see the former happen.

I think Sullivan then doubles down and says he'll stay to help master mind the operation. He won't leave until Crosby's current contract expires unless fired.

Since that doesn't seem to be in the cards, we're stuck with him.