It's another edition of Fan Take Friday, and we dive into a question that has us wondering...should the Penguins have started rebuilding earlier? Patrick and Hunter begin this all Fan Take Friday edition of Locked On Penguins with a simple question: Should the Penguins have started this rebuild-retool after losing to the Canadiens in the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs? They discuss if it would have made sense, who they could've moved, who they could've kept, and if they trusted former GM Jim Rutherford to execute the plan. Then, they take more of your questions and takes about where some of the young players fit in, if this team will be better in 2025-26, and which of the big three will remain on the Penguins the longest.

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We have a trade to announce! The Penguins have acquired defenseman Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars! Hunter and Patrick discuss the breaking news that the Penguins traded for Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick in exchange for Vladislav Kolyachonok. They break down the trade, what it means for the rebuild, and what the expectations are for Dumba on an expiring deal. Then, with news that the decentralized draft could be here to stay, they dive into why it’s probably a bad idea and why the NHL should just bring back the old format. Finally, with speculation that the Penguins could trade Erik Karlsson, they look at a couple of destinations that make sense.

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Evgeni Malkin might be slowing down, but that doesn't mean he's cooked. There is a way to get some of the Malkin magic back! Patrick and Hunter start the Wednesday edition of the show discussing the Penguins signing first-round pick Ben Kindel to a three-year entry-level contract. They discuss what the contract entails, what it means for next season, and how it will impact his development. Then, despite there being interest in college prospect Issac Howard, the Penguins ultimately were unable to trade for him, after the Lightning sent him to Edmonton. They dive into how the price was likely too steep and could have potentially set their rebuild back ever so slightly. Finally, Evgeni Malkin, with one year left on his contract, had a down year last year, but all is not lost. They talk about what the team needs to do to get him producing once again.

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