Mark Madden: Penguins are done winning and shouldn't be afraid to rebuild

With Nashville off to a 4-9-1 start and sitting last in the NHLs Central Division, GM Barry Trotz said, If we dont get it going, then Im going to start our rebuild plan.

Penguins GM Kyle Dubas needs to say the same, then follow through.

The Penguins are 5-8-2 before Fridays game at Washington and look worse than their record.

Their last two losses have been unmitigated disasters: Blowing a 3-1 third-period lead to lose 4-3 at the New York Islanders, then conceding a first-minute goal on the way to a lopsided 5-1 defeat at Carolina.

That record, those losses and having missed the playoffs the previous two seasons would get most coaches fired.

But Fenway Sports Group isnt going to terminate Mike Sullivan.

Theres no point in propping up a lie any longer.

These Penguins are done winning.

The longer the inevitable gets put off, the deeper the hole gets dug.

Saying it out loud puts the players on the spot.

It splatters them with accountability.

Rally, or disintegrate.

But this team wont rally.

Erik Karlsson certainly wont.

He is an absolute disgrace.

He gave minimal effort at Carolina and was directly responsible for the Hurricanes first two goals.

He may be a three-time Norris Trophy winner, but that was yesterday.

Hes currently an $11.5 million nothingburger.

After that debacle in Raleigh, Karlsson evaluated his play thusly: Not bad.

Hes either clueless, indulging sarcasm or overwhelmed by conceit.

Rebuilding cant start immediately.

It will go slowly because of no-movement clauses, limited-movement clauses and a lot of players nobody wants.

It will go slowly because of loyalty and nostalgia, which has been a problem all along.

It starts with trading defensemen Marcus Pettersson.

Probably at the March 7 trade deadline but whenever the right deal can be made.

Petterssons contract is up at seasons end.

Rickard Rakell hopefully keeps scoring.

The wingers contract runs through 2028 at a $5 million cap hit and has an eight-team no-trade list.

But if Rakell stays hot, he can be moved.

Thats not an indictment of Pettersson and Rakell, or of any players that get traded.

Those who cant be moved are likely the ones most easily criticized.

But its about compiling assets for the future.

Its about getting to that future.

Its about letting a smart GM execute his complete vision, at long last.

Then, after the season, its time for a hard conversation with the core three.

Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang would be difficult to move.

Malkin is more likely to play in Russia than for another NHL team.

Letang could help a contender in the immediacy.

But his deal runs through 2028 at a $6.1 million cap hit and includes a list of 10 teams Letang can be traded to.

Crosby would be easy to move and would fetch big return.

Hes still one of the leagues top five players.

Any contender would see him as the final piece in a championship puzzle.

But Crosby is an iconic Penguin, just about on the level of Mario Lemieux.

It comes down to what Crosby wants and what hes willing to say out loud.

Hes often expressed a desire to finish his career in Pittsburgh.

But now hes experiencing this.

It hasnt been this bad since his rookie year.

But that scenario had youth, hope and a conspicuously bright future.

Crosby doesnt make ultimatums.

Never has.

Not his style.

Crosby didnt demand that the Penguins keep Malkin and Letang.

But that was his clear preference.

FSG also didnt want to buy the Penguins and be perceived as immediately running old favorites out of town.

The organization is afraid of letting Crosby down.

Heck, I feel the same.

Crosby is revered.

If youre involved with the Penguins, Crosby is a constant presence.

What will Sid think? But that has to stop.

There was hockey in Pittsburgh before Crosby.

There will be hockey in Pittsburgh after Crosby.

Its time to prioritize the after.

Because whats current is obviously going no place.

The Penguins shouldnt be afraid of rebuilding.

Every team does it.

Dubas should do what Trotz did.

Say it out loud.

Stop the charade.

Make it so theres no going back, barring a winning streak that would be so against the run of play..

This article has been shared from the original article on triblive, here is the link to the original article.