YOHE: More details on Kyle Dubas’ plans for the Penguins when NHL free agency opens

It’s becoming clear that Kyle Dubas is valuing future assets above all else these days.

However, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still going to spend up to the salary cap. They’re almost there anyway.

A plan for the opening days of the NHL free agency period has been revealed.

Dubas is very eager to find a left wing for Sidney Crosby. The Penguins are absolutely fine on the right side with wingers Bryan Rust – who is Crosby’s preferred right wing – and Rickard Rakell, who the Penguins hope will bounce back from a disappointing season.

However, the case on the left is different.

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

While Crosby was very effective late last season 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 the job as a top-nine forward with the Penguins moving forward.

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

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

Dubas said Friday at the Sphere in Las Vegas that he will not offer a long-term contract when free agency begins. By all accounts, he’s going to stick to that philosophy, believing the last thing the Penguins need is another long-term deal on their already loaded books.

Instead, the plan is simply this:

• Identify a left wing who can thrive with Crosby

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

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

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

Penguins sources said some interest has emerged in left wing Reilly Smith and a trade is possible this summer. Smith, who has one year left on his contract and a $5 million cap hit, didn’t fit in with the Penguins last season. Dubas is agreeable to bringing Smith back next season, but he is the most likely player to be included in a deal that would potentially open up cap space and give the Penguins the future assets they are currently craving.

It is believed that Dubas will direct the Penguins in full rebuild mode beginning this summer, but due to Crosby’s presence, the Penguins President/General Manager of Hockey Operations believes it is important that the organization continues to build a competitive team. Prepare. What makes this even more interesting is that Crosby only has one year left on his contract.

The Penguins front office isn’t concerned about completing a deal with Crosby. Crosby has no intention of skating a single minute for another NHL team. Still, the front office doesn’t want Crosby to be surrounded by a terrible team in his final season.

Although it is expected that Crosby will sign a new deal with the Penguins, Dubas still wants to do the right thing by his captain and give the Penguins a competitive team that spends up to the cap, even if the prospects and Securing a draft pick is the priority at this point. To say the least, this is a difficult situation for Dubas. Many in the organization believe that if it were not for the respect they have for Crosby, he would have blown up this Penguins roster.

The decision to trade Jake Guentzel in March did not sit well with Crosby, who has enjoyed his greatest success playing with Guentzel. While it’s extremely 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 bottom-six answer, even if a headliner like Jake DeBrusk is special because of the money. Not really in the game. And the period they will order.

However, with the focus primarily 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 was a top-four pick for the Penguins last season playing alongside Kris Letang, surprisingly did not receive a qualifying offer from the Penguins. This doesn’t mean that 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 a replacement for Joseph. Therefore, it is unlikely that he will bring her back.

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