Kyle Dubas “criticized” Erik Karlsson at his end-of-season review

When the Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson, we all thought it might be a bad idea.

Karlsson had just racked up 101 points with the Sharks (season 22-23)… but we wondered how well he would fit into the Penguins line-up.

And without saying it was a total failure, the Karlsson – Penguins experiment was never super fruitful either.

In his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, Karlsson collected 56 and 53 points.

We would have liked to see more from him within the organization, to put it another way.

And Kyle Dubas reminded us of this in his end-of-season review:

His actions must match his ambitions. – Kyle Dubas

Kyle Dubas on Erik Karlsson, “His actions have to match his ambitions.”

Ouch.

– Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) April 21, 2025

Dubas clearly had a lot to say in his end-of-season review.

At least, his comments got some attention… because he doesn’t necessarily sound super optimistic about the seasons ahead.

This quote speaks for itself:

You can hope with one hand, shit in the other and see which one fills up first. – Kyle Dubas

Super…

Wise words from Kyle Dubas about the Penguins’ future pic.twitter.com/7n4tIzXL6j

– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 22, 2025

It’s hard to imagine that Sidney Crosby is very happy to see these comments from his GM.

At least Dubas doesn’t look like the good times are coming to Pittsburgh. And with Sid nearing retirement…

The Penguins don’t have much choice but to rebuild right now.

Dubas can count on the services of Malkin, Letang, Crosby and Karlsson… but the Penguins finished 24th overall in the NHL standings, and this is clear proof that the current group can’t take the team to the top.

All this to say that, at the moment, things seem to be more complicated than anything else in Pittsburgh.

The team’s GM – and president – doesn’t seem convinced of what he can do to help his club, and he looks bad with his recent outburst.

It would look bad in Montreal, anyway.

Gossip

– Fair enough .

“De voir Ovechkin à tous les jours, c’est assez impressionnant” – Pierre-Luc Dubois, before the game against the Canadiens pic.twitter.com/pjyb8FTd8E

– TVA Sports (@TVASports) April 23, 2025

– Max Domi’s goal, but in numbers:

Breaking down the numbers on Max Domi’s overtime goal! #StanleyCup

NHL Edge IQ powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/THBkj7lfZ4

– NHL (@NHL) April 23, 2025

– It’s starting to take shape in the KHL.

The seeding begins this Sunday in Yaroslavl.#GagarinCup pic.twitter.com/bYawtHylCE

– KHL (@khl_eng) April 23, 2025