The Pittsburgh Penguins' defense, while adequate, has left much to be desired, especially in the postseason. With the departure of pending UFA defenseman Ryan Shea, the Penguins face a challenge in bolstering their already thin left side. The team's options include Parker Wotherspoon, Samuel Girard, and Ilya Solovyov, but none seem to be a perfect fit. The Penguins' struggles on the left side are further exacerbated by the underperformance of Ryan Graves, who has been a bust since signing a six-year deal. The team's general manager, Dubas, has a history of trading for undesirable contracts, and his latest target is Edmonton Oilers' Darnell Nurse, despite his high salary and the team's desire to get younger. The Penguins' defensive woes extend to the right side as well, with Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang likely occupying the top four spots, and rookie Harrison Brunicke awaiting his NHL debut. The team's options on the trade market include Bowen Byram, Mason Lohrei, and Morgan Rielly, but each comes with its own set of issues. Byram's skating and creativity could be a good fit, but his cost and UFA status are concerns. Lohrei's defensive zone issues and high-risk, high-reward game make him a risky acquisition. Rielly, despite his NHL-level play, would add to the Penguins' defensive woes and is not a strong defender. The Penguins' future looks uncertain, but Dubas' trading methodology and the team's desire to get younger suggest that they will be active in the off-season, aiming to build on last season's success and address their defensive issues.
