On Tuesday, the NHL announced the three finalists for the 2025-26 Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award, which is presented annually to recognize the league’s top general manager.
Included in the nominees is a name that fans of the Detroit Red Wings are very familiar with.
Former NHL forward Pat Verbeek, who played 135 games in a Red Wings uniform from 1999 through 2001 and later served as assistant general manager under Steve Yzerman, is up for the award thanks to his work as GM with the Anaheim Ducks.
Also included were Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin, who acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in a bold mid-December trade, along with Colorado Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland.
Announcing the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award finalists... 🏆 #NHLAwards
This award is presented annually to recognize the work of the top general manager in the NHL. pic.twitter.com/2Z45rPNabJ
Guerin also served as general manager for Team USA during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, resulting in the first gold medal victory since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Verbeek served under Yzerman as assistant GM of the Red Wings from 2019 through 2022, and was also assistant GM and Director of Player Personnel under Yzerman with the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2012 through 2019, as well as their Director of Professional Scouting.
Prior to that, he worked as a pro scout with the Red Wings from 2006 to 2010.
He was named GM of the Ducks in February 2022 and has stockpiled some of the most exciting young talent in the NHL, along with a solid mix of veteran players.
Last season, the Ducks improved by 21 points, along with another 12 point improvement this season.
They won their first Stanley Cup Playoff series since 2017, and are two victories away from a berth in the Western Conference Final.
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NBA player Jason Collins marches in the Gay Pride Parade in Boston, Massachusetts June 8, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica Rinaldi (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL POLITICS SOCIETY)
Reuters
Jason Collins, the 13-year NBA veteran player — who is more famous as the first pro athlete to come out as gay while still playing in any major American sports league — has died at age 47, his family has announced.
"We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma," his family announced in a statement, mentioning the brain tumor he has been battling for years. "Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly."
"Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.
"On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason's husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues."
Collins had an impressive NBA career. He and his twin brother Jarron Collins first came to prominence when they dominated Southern California high-school basketball together at Harvard-Westlake — having twin 7-foot future NBA players on a high school team wins a lot of games — before choosing to attend Stanford together. There, the Collins brothers helped lead the Cardinal to the Elite Eight one season and the Final Four the next.
Jason Collins was selected No. 18 by the Houston Rockets in the 2001 NBA Draft, but was traded on draft night in the deal that also brought Richard Jefferson to the New Jersey Nets. Just a couple of years later, in 2003, he was the starting center on a Nets team led by Jason Kidd that reached the NBA Finals.
Collins earned a reputation as a physical, rock-solid defensive center whom opponents and teammates respected. He went on to play 13 NBA seasons for the Nets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Hawks, Celtics and Wizards. His reputation was that of a "pro's pro" and the kind of player that coaches and GMs wanted in their locker rooms.
"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay. I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."
As he was with his sexual orientation, Collins was very public with his diagnosis of glioblastoma, a very aggressive form of cancer in the brain. He talked about his treatment plans, trying to balance fighting the disease and quality of life.
Collins is survived by his husband, Brunson Green, parents Portia and Paul Collins, and brother, Jarron Collins, who has served as an assistant coach in the NBA, most recently with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jason Collins, the first openly gay player in NBA history, has died after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma. He was 47.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, as died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family announced in a statement released by the NBA. “Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remembered Collins for the lives he changed.
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” Silver said in a statement released by the league. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.”
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues,” Silver added.
Collins revealed his diagnosis publicly in December 2025 in a first-person essay for ESPN, describing an aggressive brain tumor that had spread across both hemispheres in a butterfly pattern. Standard chemotherapy did not work on his form of glioblastoma, forcing him to seek experimental treatment at a clinic in Singapore.
He had married his husband, film producer Brunson Green, in May 2025, just months before his symptoms began.
Collins came out in April 2013 in a first-person cover story in Sports Illustrated, becoming the first active athlete in any of North American’s four major sports to publicly identify as gay.
“Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self,” Collins wrote in his final public essay.
His best statistical season was 2004-05, when he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
The biggest moment in his career, however, was not measured in game statistics. On Feb. 23, 2014, Collins stepped onto the court at the Staples Center for the Brooklyn Nets against the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in a game in one of the four major professional sports leagues. He wore No. 98 that night, a number he chose to honor Matthew Shepard, whose 1998 murder helped lead to the passage of landmark hate crime legislation.
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA for six teams; the New Jersey Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards. He averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 735 career games. Drafted out of Stanford by the Houston Rockets as the 18th overall pick of the 2001 draft, Collins' rights were immediately traded to the New Jersey Nets.
He retired in 2014 and went on to serve as an NBA ambassador.
Former Nets center Jason Collins has passed away at 47 after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, his family announced.
Collins played 13 seasons in the NBA from 2001 to 2014, including eight with the Nets organization.
In 2013, he became the first active, openly gay player in NBA history and from all four major American sports.
Collins was drafted by the Nets with the 18th overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft out of Stanford and helped the team reach back-to-back NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. The big man spent the first seven seasons of his career in New Jersey before playing for the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, and Washing Wizards.
He returned to the Nets in 2014 following their move to Brooklyn, playing 22 games during the 2013-14 season. For his career, Collins averaged 4.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game over 735 contests.
Collins announced his cancer diagnosis in December 2025 and tried experimental treatments in Singapore over the winter, allowing him to return home and be active, per ESPN. Although, the disease recently returned and he died peacefully at home surrounded by family.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Collins' passing and thanked him for making the league more inclusive.
"Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
Below are Collins' family's and Silver's full statements:
The following statement was issued today on behalf of the family of Jason Collins: pic.twitter.com/Vf1MwmmQLH
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issues statement on passing of Jason Collins: "Jason Collins' impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations.”
Australia has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in the United Kingdom, with fast bowler Darcie Brown sensationally dropped from the national side in a bombshell call.
South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada led an inspired pace attack to power Gujarat Titans to the top of the IPL table with an 82-run thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations and general manager, outlined plans for fortifying the front office and upgrading training facilities on Tuesday. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
The Lakers’ roster isn’t the only thing getting restructured this offseason.
In the first offseason under Mark Walter’s ownership, the Lakers will undergo several changes in their front office and with the organization’s infrastructure while trying to keep pace in the ever-evolving NBA.
The Lakers plan to hire two assistant general managers, Rob Pelinka, the team's president of basketball operations and general manager, said in a season-ending news conference Tuesday after the Lakers were swept out of the Western Conference semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
One position will focus on pro scouting, draft scouting and player development while the other will specialize in analytics, data and the salary cap. The organization has already begun interviews, Pelinka said.
“It’s not that we’ve had holes in those places,” Pelinka said. “We got a great team of people that works incredibly hard. It’s just we want to add more to that.”
Since Walter, the controlling owner of the Dodgers, became the majority owner of the Lakers in October, the Lakers have gradually reshaped front office and business operations. Joey and Jesse Buss were controversially fired in a front office shake-up that occurred less than a month after the sale was finalized. The brothers of Jeanie Buss worked in the front office, with Joey serving as alternate governor, vice president of research and development and the chief executive of the G League team. Jesse was the team’s assistant general manager and director of scouting.
Lakers executives are now responsible for shaping a roster that has eight players facing unrestricted free agency or have player options this summer, including stars LeBron James and Austin Reaves.
The Lakers scouts were already in Chicago for the NBA draft combine Tuesday morning after the team's season-ending loss Monday. Pelinka was scheduled to join them later that afternoon. With the 25th pick in the draft, the Lakers will interview about 20 players before the draft that begins June 23. The Lakers added former Virginia head coach Tony Bennett as a draft advisor in February to help with the process.
“Tony has said he never, ever wants to coach again,” Pelinka said. “That chapter in his life is 100% over. But having sort of the mind of a builder and a coach in our draft department with our scouts has been incredibly special, just to see that interaction.”
On the business side, the new ownership group swiftly brought in Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer Lon Rosen to lead Lakers' business operations. He created two new roles to drive revenue, oversee business strategy and grow interest in the franchise in both domestic and international markets.
Already catering to one of the more glamorous fan bases in the league, the Lakers added a row of courtside seats behind each basket for postseason games. They announced the search for a new jersey patch sponsor and sent out season ticket renewal notices that irked fans facing high markups.
Moving the G League team from the South Bay to the Coachella Valley opened another business opportunity. The Coachella Valley Lakers will open the 2026-27 season in the 11,000-seat Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert.
Sharing the same facility in El Segundo made integration of the two rosters seamless. Several established players, including James, participated in G League practices this season while rehabbing long-term injuries, and developing players, including Bronny James and rookie Adou Thiero, got valuable playing time with the South Bay Lakers to build their confidence for their small roles on the NBA roster. The South Bay Lakers advanced to the G League Western Conference finals this year, but lost while key players Kobe Bufkin, Dalton Knecht and Nick Smith Jr. played with the then-shorthanded NBA team.
Moving the G League operations allows the Lakers to use extra space in their El Segundo training center for new labs for biomechanics, movement and recovery, Pelinka said. The Lakers are working in consultation with the Dodgers for the high-tech improvements.
“It's a full rebuild and retool,” Pelinka said. “It's adding to the great things that are already here, which have led to success, but elevating it and bringing it to the next level.”
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 11: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 11, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been two separate teams this postseason. They’ve been an absolute buzzsaw at home. That team has been elite on both ends of the floor and has received multiple superstar performances from their core four. But if you get them away from Rocket Arena, they’ve looked pretty ordinary. This includes multiple fourth-quarter collapses in Games 4 and 6 against the Toronto Raptors and Games 1 and 2 against the Detroit Pistons.
Whether the Cavs can go about changing that trend will determine if they can advance to the conference finals. They need to win at least one game on the road to get past the Pistons. Why not do so in Game 5?
If they are going to steal Game 5, the Cavs will need to do a better job of containing Cade Cunningham when he’s at home. This postseason, Cunningham has averaged 31.8 points and 8.2 assists on 50% shooting in his six home games. That’s considerably more than he’s averaged on the road, including these two games in Cleveland, where he wasn’t his best self.
The Cavs were partially to blame for that change. They trapped him much more in Game 4 than they have at any point in the series.
“Just try get in his way,” Jarrett Allen said when asked on Monday about how to stop Cunningham. “Try to make sure that he rethinks every single pass that he’s going to take. Try to make sure that every single drive to the lane, somebody’s there to bump him, somebody’s there to contest him. Try to make everything as hard as we can for him.”
Whether the Cavs can do so in Game 5 could determine whether they can steal homecourt advantage.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
The Anaheim Ducks face the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5 of their second-round NHL playoff series. Anaheim tied the series 2-2 with a 4-3 victory in Game 4. Vegas is favored by 1.5 goals in Game 5. The total is set at 6 goals.
How to watch Anaheim Ducks vs. Vegas Golden Knights
The Buffalo Sabres will try to even their second-round playoff series with the Montreal Canadiens. Montreal won Games 2 and 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The Canadiens are favored by 1.5 goals in Game 4.
How to watch Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Chicago Blackhawks have the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after falling two spots in the draft lottery.
There is hope that Ivar Stenberg, a perfect fit for the rebuilding Blackhawks, falls to them at four. Most assume that Gavin McKenna will be taken by the Toronto Maple Leafs first overall, but it is the San Jose Sharks who must comply for Stenberg to end up wearing Blackhawks red.
One of those teams is the San Jose Sharks, who jumped up from nine to claim the second overall pick via the lottery. That bit of luck gives them options for this draft. They need defense help when it comes to long-term prospects.
Given that, will they take Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, or Carson Carels? If they do, and the Vancouver Canucks take Caleb Malhotra, that leaves Stenberg for Chicago. Some believe that Vancouver would pass on Stenberg in favor of Malhotra for a variety of reasons, including the fact that he's a true center, his father is their AHL affiliate's coach, and his game matches a need for them as an organization more.
Taking a defender second overall would be a reach for the Sharks. It's just a slight reach, but a reach nonetheless. They could consider moving down a handful of spots and still get one of their defensemen while adding more assets to their organization from the team trading up.
The Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Calgary Flames are all candidates to consider a move for San Jose's pick. If it isn't Chicago, it could throw a major curveball at Kyle Davidson.
One of New York or Calgary would almost certainly take Stenberg if Toronto takes McKenna. San Jose probably isn't dropping below six either, so they can ensure they get one of the top defenders.
If the Sharks were to move out of the top two and it wasn't Chicago moving into it, they wouldn't get any of McKenna, Stenberg, or Malhotra, the three players they could use the most. At that point, if they didn't trade down themselves, they'd be taking a defenseman as well.
Don't count out the Blackhawks being the team that moves into the second overall pick either, though. They have the assets needed to make a move up like that. Not only can they offer San Jose the chance to move back just two spots, which is the prime spot for them to take a defenseman, along with other high-level draft picks and defensive-minded prospects.
Every team ahead of Chicago is a Wild Card at this point in time, but the San Jose Sharks begin the true intrigue as the draft draws closer.
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Morant shared a series of posts to his Instagram stories on Tuesday, May 12 expressing his appreciation for Clarke, who spent all seven seasons of his NBA career in Memphis with Morant.
The first post was a media day photo of Morant laughing while reaching out for a high-five from Clarke with Jaren Jackson Jr. also grinning widely on Morant's other side.
The second picture showed Clarke hugging Morant from behind during a game.
"this hurt BC," Morant said with a broken heart emoji, "love you broski. gone way too soon." He added, "its' bigger than basketball."
The third Instagram story reshared a post from Devin Walker, the Grizzlies' social/digital coordinator, paying tribute to Clarke. Morant specifically shared a video of himself walking off the court after the 2019 Summer League championship with Clarke, holding a trophy. Clarke was the game's MVP after notching a double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds as the Grizzlies beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 95-92 to win the championship.
"I'm walking with a GOAT right here," Morant said in the video.
"still our goat," he added in the Instagram story caption with a goat emoji. "BC15"
Both players were selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft. Morant was taken No. 2 overall by the Grizzlies and Clarke was chosen at No. 21 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who traded him to Memphis the same day.
Given the expectations for the 2025-26 Pittsburgh Penguins heading into the regular season, the fact that general manager and president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas could include playoff discourse as part of his season-ending press conference Tuesday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry says a lot about what he is building organizationally.
And it looks like the next steps forward are coming into focus as well.
Even though the team made tangible progress this season, Dubas stressed that there is still a "long way to go" for the Penguins to be Stanley Cup contenders to the likes of the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, and others. But, that said, he feels as though it's on him to deliver on that next stage in the process.
"I thought we were a good team, and at times we flirted with becoming very good, but ultimately, we are still well short of where we aspire to be, which is a contender," Dubas said. "That falls on me, and the work to push to get us there will continue."
He added: "Have we made progress? I’d say yes, we have. Are we where we want to be and aspire to be? No, not even close. And the work has continued since the minute that our season has ended and will continue through the summer. That’s what we’ll aim for is to continue to deliver contending championship hockey back to Pittsburgh."
1. Dubas is high on the prospect pool they've put together so far
Half of the press conference consisted of Dubas gushing about the prospects the Penguins already have in their system, many of which the organization believes have bright futures with the Penguins.
I did ask Dubas about - despite the discourse that core talent is usually obtained by selecting high in the draft - whether or not he believes some future pieces of a potential "core" are, indeed, already in their system.
"When it comes to the high end, you look throughout the league now, and everyone here knows it because that's what the Pittsburgh Penguins have always been about: the Penguins have always had high-end talent," Dubas said. "Obviously, there's two very notable first-overall picks, but then it's supplemented by players picked later in the first round or deeper into the draft.
"We have to find it any way that we can. That could be through trade, it could be in free agency, [or in] finding a player that goes undervalued and we're able to get more out of."
But, despite that, he gave some rave reviews for some of the top prospects in the system.
Dubas also touched on defenseman Harrison Brunicke and the progress he's made since training camp. He stressed that they believe his development plan - which included off-ice conditioning, five pre-season games, nine NHL games, five AHL games, and the World Junior Championship before ultimately being sent back to the WHL - ended up working out well for him. He is also impressed that Brunicke is playing on the top pairing for WBS during the Calder Cup Playoffs and that he has been tasked with some of the toughest minutes.
"He can play center, he can play wing. He's been a part of teams that always seem to be winning. He's deeply committed to doing all the small things," Dubas said. "The best thing I've heard in the last couple of weeks is that the American League staff, they told Amanda Kessel that they went to show him the systems on intake when he got there last week after his team had lost in Game 7 to Moncton. And he had been watching every game and studying the systems, and he knew them all himself.
"So it's those types of small, little intangible things that fuel the size, the skating, the habits, the ability to carry the puck, create offense, get to the net."
Clearly, Dubas is happy with the pool of young talent that the Penguins already possess - even if he knows there is more work ahead to pull in big talent.
2. The Penguins still have some work to do in order to become Stanley Cup contenders... but, no, they're not "tearing it down"
One of the biggest points of emphasis in this press conference was the fact that - again - despite the progress the Penguins made this season by making the playoffs and proving they are a "good team," they're still pretty far off from being Stanley Cup contenders.
And a major part of that, Dubas said, is that they have to improve defensively - and that they intend to address that this summer.
"When we’re looking at the group as we transition moving ahead, I think, as a whole, defensively, we still continue to give up a lot both in terms of what we’re expected to give up and in terms of what we actually gave up," Dubas said. "Both were in the bottom-10 in the league, and it was a massive topic amongst [head coach Dan Muse] and me throughout the year, but more importantly in the last couple of weeks since we’ve been out. And it is the major focus as we head into the offseason.
"Really, it’s the area that we have to improve upon the most if we’re going to continue to make strides and push the team back into being a contender."
Sam Girard (front) and Kris Letang are two blueliners with uncertain futures heading into next season for the Penguins. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
"You look at all the other teams around the division, and you measure yourself up against them day in and day out," Dubas said. "Carolina, they're obviously the class of the division right now, they won the division by 15 or 16 points, and they haven't lost a playoff game. We're not close to that, so that's what we have to push to get to be at that stage where they're at, going to the Eastern Conference Final. They've obviously been at it for a long time now, 10-plus years.
"But that's what we have to work to get to. And until we get to that point — and I think even when you get there, you're happy only for a few minutes and then you start to worry about what's coming up behind."
So, if they're still that far off of contention, it makes sense to sell off veterans and go younger now, right? Well, not necessarily. And that brings us to the final point of emphasis from Dubas's presser.
There were multiple references in this press conference to Dubas heavily exploring the trade market this summer. Sure, he mentioned deals in the "Chinakhov mold," which definitely makes sense for where they're at and where they want to go. Those options would be more cost-effective, even if there is inherent risk.
But that's not the only thing he said. And there is one portion that stood out in particular:
“I think what we really lack are those players in their later 20s that are really true difference makers. Or mid-20s, late 20s, that are true difference makers," Dubas said. "I think if you’re one of those players that’s a free agent or your situation in your spot is not going well and you have some control, you can look at us and see very clearly that you’re going to be supported by a great coaching staff that gets the most out of players. But you’ll also have young players that are going to push from behind and older players that are going to set the tone.
“I think Pittsburgh, for all that it is as a city, a sports city, it’s a great place to play, a great place to grow and have a family. But also, I think in terms of the sporting side, for us on the hockey side, I think it should be one of, if not the most, appealing places to any player that has a choice in those matters. We’ll investigate all those as we go into the summer."
I don't know about you, but that sure sounds like a sales pitch to me.
And with some bigger names who fit that mold rumored to, potentially, be on the trade block this summer - such as Stars superstar Jason Robertson (26 years old), Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (28), St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (26), and Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (24) - could Dubas and the Penguins be pitching to those guys directly?
It's quite possible, and the Penguins have plenty of draft capital, cap space, and tradeable assets to work with. They would have to build out quite a big package in comparison to those other teams, but in the end, they have flexibility in terms of "tacking on" in trade packages that other organizations don't.
Dubas is confident in the young players the Penguins are already developing. But he recognizes that returning to sustainable contention will require both homegrown talent and the willingness to swing big when opportunity arises.
"I think if we're going to take really big steps next year that [are] sustainable, it's going to be by using the cap space that we have, but [also] the assets that we have, the draft picks, the prospects, etc, to go and acquire somebody," Dubas said. "Is that going to be possible? We're sure going to find out. But I'm being open with you because that's the path ahead.
"We don't have a mirage in our view, in the office, that next year all these young guys are going to magically all hit. They're prospects for a reason. Some of them are going to reach their potential. Some of them are going to go beyond their potential. But you don't know if some of them are. We've amassed a good quantity there. We have to see which ones can develop into true quality guys, and then we have to use that to just supplement, really, on the proven players in their mid 20s, late 20s, that we know what we're getting. I think that's the area where we'll be able to take steps."
In conclusion: Buckle up, Penguins' fans. This could be a pretty fun summer.
The Buffalo Sabres appear to be making some significant lineup changes for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final against the Montreal Canadiens after two straight losses in which they have been outscored 11-3.
At the morning skate at the Bell Centre, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was in the starter’s goal, 20-year-old rookie Konsta Helenius skated on the third line in between Jason Zucker and Jack Quinn, and veteran Luke Schenn took the place on the bottom pairing with Conor Timmins. Ryan McLeod shifted to the fourth line with Jordan Greenway and Beck Malenstyn, and Sam Carrick skated as an extra forward after getting slugged by Montreal defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
Luukkonen has not played since Game 2 of the series against Boston, after allowing four goals in the first two periods, one from center ice on a Morgan Geekie dump-in and another from Viktor Arvidsson 16 seconds into the third period. The 27-year-old Finn went 22-9-3, with a 2.52 GAA, and .910 save percentage in 35 games during the regular season, but is 1-1, with a 4.19 GAA, and .825 save % in the playoffs.
Montreal has won the depth battle so far in the series with Buffalo
Head coach Lindy Ruff was cagey at the media availability on Tuesday, not confirming any potential lineup juggling, but said that the addition of Helenius was to inject some offense into his forward group. The 20-year-old scored nearly a point-per-game in his second season with the AHL Rochester Americans, and three points in the Amerks first round loss to the Toronto Marlies. Schenn has played 58 playoff games with six different clubs and won two Stanley Cups, and may be inserted into the lineup as a physical presence after the shenanigans that occurred during and after the loss.
Ruff may be looking for something to snap the Sabres out of their current funk, similar to what Minnesota did by switching back to Jesper Wallstedt in Game 3 against Colorado, and what the Avalanche did by shifting to MacKenzie Blackwood after Scott Wedgewood had started the first seven playoff games.
In league discipline news, Sabres forward Beck Malenstyn was fined $3,515.63, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for running into Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes in the second period on Sunday. Xhekaj was also fined $3385.42 for his right cross to the jaw of Carrick. The NHL finally came down with their ruling on Boston’s Charlie McAvoy, for his high sticking incident with Zach Benson. The Department of Player Safety has suspended McAvoy six games.
Red Wings Prospect Carter Bear Proving He's Built For The Big StageAfter scoring twice in Game 2 of the WHL Finals for the Everett Silvertips, Detroit Red Wings prospect Carter Bear is now up to three goals in his last two games. 
