Yohe: More details on Kyle Dubas’ plan for Penguins as NHL Free Agency opens

It’s becoming increasingly clear that Kyle Dubas is placing more value on future assets these days.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will still be over the salary cap, though. They’re almost there.

A plan has emerged for the opening days of the NHL’s free agency period.

Dubas is eager to find a left winger to replace Sidney Crosby. The Penguins have plenty of room on the right side with wingers Bryan Rust —who is Crosby’s preferred right winger—and Rickard Rakell, who the Penguins hope can bounce back after a disappointing season.

The left side, however, is a different story.

Michael Bunting showed immediate chemistry with Evgeni Malkin after being traded to the Penguins in March. The plan is for Bunting to resume his duties on Malkin’s line when next season begins.

While Crosby was very effective late last season when playing on a line with Rust and Drew O’Connor, the Penguins would prefer an upgrade on the left side. They like O’Connor a lot, and there’s no doubt he’s earned a job as a top-nine forward as the Penguins continue to develop.

However, sources within the Penguins organization have confirmed that Dubas, despite having little money to spend, is eager to find a left winger for Crosby. The sources were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

The Penguins have about $7 million in salary cap space this summer after signing goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to a two-year contract and hiring forward Kevin Hayes.

Dubas said Friday at Sphere in Las Vegas that he will not give away long-term contracts when free agency begins. For all intents and purposes, he will stick to that philosophy, believing the last thing the Penguins need is another long-term deal on their already overcrowded books.

Instead, the plan is simply this:

• Identify a left winger who could thrive with Crosby

• Sign this player to a short-term deal to prove it

• Be patient on July 1 and wait a few days for the right player if necessary

Another factor has emerged that could theoretically free up salary cap space for Dubas.

Penguins sources said interest has emerged in left winger Reilly Smith and that a trade this summer is possible. Smith, who has one year left on his contract and a $5 million salary cap hit, was not a good fit for the Penguins last season. Dubas is comfortable bringing Smith back next season, but he is the player most likely to be moved in a deal that would potentially free up salary cap space and give the Penguins a future asset, which is what they currently crave.

It is believed that Dubas will completely rebuild the Penguins starting this summer, but due to Crosby’s presence, the Penguins’ president of hockey operations/general manager believes it is important for the organization to field a competitive team. What makes this all the more interesting is that Crosby only has one year left on his contract.

The Penguins front office isn’t concerned about finalizing a deal with Crosby. Crosby has no plans to skate even a minute for another NHL team. Still, the front office doesn’t want Crosby to be surrounded by a terrible team in his final seasons.

While Crosby is expected to sign a new deal with the Penguins, Dubas still wants to do the right thing for his captain and give the Penguins a competitive, max-spending team, even if securing prospects and draft picks is a priority at the moment. It’s a tough situation for Dubas, to say the least. Many in the organization believe he would blow up this Penguins roster if he didn’t respect Crosby so much.

The decision to trade Jake Guentzel in March did not sit well with Crosby, who had some of his greatest successes while playing with Guentzel. While it is highly unlikely the Penguins will find someone on the free agent market who can perform at Guentzel’s level, Dubas is eager to find a legitimate answer at number six, even if headliners like Jake DeBrusk are not likely to factor in due to the money and term they will command.

While much of the focus is on finding a left wing for Crosby when the free agency period begins, the Penguins also have a problem on their blue line.

PO Joseph, who finished in the Penguins’ top four last season along with Kris Letang, surprisingly did not receive a qualifying offer from the Penguins. This doesn’t necessarily mean Joseph won’t return next season, as the Penguins are willing to discuss a new deal with him.

However, a team source said Dubas spent much of Sunday considering replacements for Joseph. So it’s hardly a given that he’ll bring him back.

(Photo of Kyle Dubas and Jason Spezza: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)