Penguins Update: Dubas Not Done?

I don’t know why. But lately I’ve had a hankerin’ for steak tartare. And I’ve found myself reading about the Tatars, a Turkic ethnic confederation absorbed into the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan.

Actually, I lied on both counts. I was just trying to come up with a clever lead-in for the subject of my latest article.

According to hockey insider Elliotte Friedman, Kyle Dubas isn’t done tinkering with the Penguins’ lineup just yet and is seeking to add some additional scoring punch. An inclination I wholeheartedly endorse. Friedman specifically mentioned free-agent forward Tomáš Tatar as the type of player Dubas would like to nab.

It’s the second time in the last few days I’ve heard Tatar’s name mentioned as a potential target. As the old saying goes, where there’s smoke you’ll usually find fire, too.

For those not familiar with Tatar, he’s a 32-year-old left handed shooting forward of Slovakian descent. Stands 5’10” and weighs a modest 173 pounds. Can skate and play either wing.

Although Tatar’s never emerged as a full-blown star, he’s been a steady scorer and point producer over his 10 full seasons and change in the NHL. He’s reached the 20-goal plateau seven times, including a high of 29 back in 2014-15, and he notched a career-best 61 points for the Canadiens in ’19-20. He scored 20 goals (with 28 assists) for the Devils last season while skating predominantly on a line with Nico Hischier.

Tatar’s box cars weren’t blow-you-away good considering his role, but his underlying numbers were. He ranked tops among the league’s forwards with a 5v5 expected goals percentage of 62.79. Throughout his career he’s been known for his play-driving ability, as well as his attention to detail.

Sounds like a guy who would fit well with…say…Sidney Crosby, huh?

Of course, it isn’t as simple as shoving a contract under his nose and saying, “Sign here kid.” Tatar earned $4.5 million in each of his last two seasons in New Jersey, and $5.3 million on his previous contract.

It’s really hard to imagine him agreeing to anything less than $4 million. Which, of course, the Pens don’t have. Which means $$$ would have to go out the door or be shunted aside in order to sign Tatar.

We currently have three players under contract who I’d deem to be in his price range, defenseman Marcus Pettersson ($4.025 AAV) and forwards Bryan Rust ($5.125 AAV) and Jeff Carter ($3.125 AAV).

Of the three, Pettersson isn’t going anywhere. In fact, I think he’d make a great partner for newly acquired countryman Erik Karlsson. But Rust and Carter?

Hmmm.

Rust has a no movement clause, which means he’d have to agree to any deal. No guarantees for a player who’s a black-and-gold lifer and likely has the skating penguin logo tattooed over his heart. However, the drop-off in his play last season was noticeable, and players of Bryan’s ilk generally don’t age well. Plus, Rusty’s under contract for five more seasons (another subtle Ron Hextall blunder).

This is pure speculation, but might Dubas look to offload Rust to Chicago with some salary retention in order to fit Tatar in?

Again, Rust would have to agree to such a deal.

As for Carter? I’ll be the first to admit I don’t understand the 35+ contract rules. And as good as Dubas is at his job, I can’t imagine he could coax big Jeff into retirement. Of course the other option is LTIR. Our GM could conceivably sign Tatar and then place Carter on LTIR for cap relief, although you start traversing some pretty murky waters…

I digress.

Caleb Di’Natale mentioned former Duck and current free-agent left wing Maxime Comtois as a lower-cost albeit lower-ceiling option. What I like about Comtois? He’s got size (6’2” 210) and plays a power game, elements we lack. Coming off a nine-goal season (his high is 16 in 55 games in ’20-21) he can probably be had on the cheap.

The drawback? He’s got heavy feet, a red-flag for a head coach who likes ‘em fast and zippy.

Yet another name I’ve heard bandied about? Pius Suter, a clever little center who’s averaged 16 goals per 82-game slate for the Blackhawks and Red Wings since entering the league back in ’20-21. Suter raked in $3.2 million last season, so he’d definitely have to drop his price.

A last thought.

At what point do we begin to look internally? Valtteri Puustinen has had two really solid seasons for a really bad Baby Pens team. When does “Puusti” get an extended look?

Ditto Alex Nylander, who I thought showed really well in a nine-game cameo last spring (just wish he’d scored more). And “Big Z,” Radim Zohorna, whose skill set, smarts and frame just may translate to the NHL if he ever gets a legit shot.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see what Dubas does next. But I agree with Friedman. I don’t think he’s done.