NHL trade rumors: Top insider reports Pittsburgh Penguins are 'prioritizing young players' from the market

NHL insider Chris Johnston reports that Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is focusing on young players. He aims to add talent that can help in both the short and long term. The Penguins are struggling, sitting last in the Metropolitan Division. They have also been involved in trades to acquire future assets.

Dubas aims to build a team with younger players who can take over once veterans like Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang retire.

"I think Dubas would still like to make more new moves in the near term, if possible, according to those in the marketplace that the Penguins have been in on a lot prioritizing young players, players that can come in and help them short term, but may also be part of a longer term solution. But certainly, they're not just sitting back and waiting for the trade deadline. They're trying to get out ahead of it," Johnston said (via TSN).

This strategy is similar to the Los Angeles Kings' rebuilding model, which shifted focus from competitiveness to youth. Even though the Penguins aren’t performing well, Dubas is planning for the future, even if it means sacrificing short-term success.

Pittsburgh Penguins lose 6-1 to Utah despite Crosby scoring 600th goal

The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 6-1 to the Utah Hockey Club, despite Sidney Crosby scoring his 600th career goal. Crosby made it 2-1 with a power-play goal in the second period. However, the Penguins couldn't keep up after that.

Utah took the lead early with Jack McBain's goal at 8:54 of the first period. Mikhail Sergachev added another at 13:07. Crosby’s goal at 3:11 in the second brought the Penguins within one. But, Nick Bjugstad extended Utah’s lead to 3-1 on a power play at 10:37.

Dylan Guenther scored twice on the power play, making it 4-1 and 6-1. Alex Kerfoot also added a goal to make it 5-1.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said the team had good energy after Crosby’s goal but struggled on the penalty kill.

“I thought we had good energy and we had momentum, especially after Sid’s goal,” Sullivan said per NHL. “For me, the penalty kill let us down significantly tonight. They get, I don’t know, was it three power-play goals? One of which was shortly after Sid scores."

Next, the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-12-4) will play the Vancouver Canucks (11-6-3) on Wednesday.