The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for a pivotal offseason, armed with an impressive 30 draft picks over the next three drafts. General Manager Kyle Dubas faces critical decisions, particularly around salary cap management. The likelihood of trading defenseman Erik Karlsson increases, considering his hefty $10 million cap hit and no-movement clause. Simultaneously, the Penguins aim to offload the contracts of goaltender Tristan Jarry and defenseman Ryan Graves—potentially freeing up nearly 20% of their salary cap.

Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens have been actively seeking a top-six center but fell short at the trade deadline despite making numerous inquiries. General Manager Kent Hughes expressed frustration over the inability to secure a suitable asset without relinquishing quality players for short-term solutions. The Canadiens reportedly rejected a second-round pick for Joel Armia, valuing the player more than the draft selection.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively seeking to infuse youth into their roster while also exploring avenues to acquire draft picks. General manager Kyle Dubas has indicated that trading the contracts of Tristan Jarry and Ryan Graves seems unlikely without a significant offer. Following the trade of Marcus Pettersson, there's potential for the Penguins to retain Matt Grzelcyk, though other assets like Anthony Beauvillier, whose contract is expiring, might attract interest.

The team could consider moving forwards like Rickard Rakell, viewed as their best trade asset, and could entertain offers for Michael Bunting if they receive a compelling proposal. Several players on expiring contracts, including Matt Nieto and Boko Imama, are not expected to generate much interest.

The Buffalo Sabres are also poised to make moves, with pending UFAs like Jason Zucker and Jordan Greenway potentially on the block. Additionally, there have been inquiries regarding Dylan Cozens and Alex Tuch, signaling that the Sabres might be evaluating their options ahead of the deadline.

Pittsburgh Penguins' GM Kyle Dubas recently made a bold move by waiving goaltender Tristan Jarry. This decision comes after a disappointing season and reflects Dubas's commitment to both immediate improvements and future planning for the franchise. Jarry, who was extended with a five-year contract last summer, has not performed as expected, prompting Dubas to pivot toward rookie Joel Blomqvist.

Dubas's strategy appears to be a 'two-window' approach aimed at maintaining competitiveness while rebuilding. After last season's playoff miss, Dubas traded key players like Jake Guentzel, acquiring prospects and draft picks as he prepares for the future. His focus on younger assets indicates a short-term competitive window of one to two years while also ensuring long-term stability post-Sidney Crosby.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are undergoing significant changes ahead of their seven-game road trip, particularly with the arrival of goaltender Joel Blomqvist following the waiving of Tristan Jarry. Blomqvist, who has not yet joined the active roster, left an impression during his earlier stint with a .904 save percentage, aside from one challenging game against the Dallas Stars. Teammates, including defenseman Marcus Pettersson, expressed optimism about Blomqvist's calm demeanor on the ice.

In practice, forward Cody Glass bounced back from a recent injury scare, while Rickard Rakell had a minor hand injury, which does not seem serious according to coach Mike Sullivan. Ryan Graves practiced in preparation to potentially return to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres.

The New York Rangers made headlines by trading captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional 2025 fourth-round draft pick and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, without retaining any of Trouba's salary. Despite Trouba's struggles this season, his reputation may have influenced the deal.

This trade reflects a shifting market for defensemen in the NHL, potentially opening avenues for other teams to offload unwanted contracts. Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas may need to act quickly to take advantage of this evolving landscape.