--- title: "Dubas loads up on reclamation projects with Robertson, Kuzmenko, van Riemsdyk" description: "Penguins GM Kyle Dubas adds Nick Robertson in a trade, then signs Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk, doubling down on the reclamation strategy that revived Anthony Mantha last season." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/penguins-gm-kyle-dubas-once-again-targets-reclamation-projec-bf5e6b53 published: 2026-07-02T19:39:07.514+00:00 updated: 2026-07-02T19:39:07.514+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["hockey"] --- # Dubas loads up on reclamation projects with Robertson, Kuzmenko, van Riemsdyk > Penguins GM Kyle Dubas adds Nick Robertson in a trade, then signs Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk, doubling down on the reclamation strategy that revived Anthony Mantha last season. The Pittsburgh Penguins are leaning on GM Kyle Dubas’ reclamation playbook once more. On July 1, Dubas acquired winger Nick Robertson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a draft pick, then bolstered the roster by signing free agents Andrei Kuzmenko and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Robertson, 22, tallied 14 goals and 24 points in 56 games for Toronto last season, showing glimpses of offensive upside despite limited ice time. The Maple Leafs, facing roster constraints, moved him for future assets rather than retain him. Kuzmenko, 28, arrives after a 45-point campaign with the Los Angeles Kings, providing a proven middle-six option. Van Riemsdyk, 33, brings 200+ career points and playoff experience, adding depth on defense. The moves follow Dubas’ 2023-24 strategy that resurrected Anthony Mantha’s career after a mid-season trade. Mantha scored 14 goals in 23 regular-season games for Pittsburgh and added 9 in the playoffs, helping the Penguins reach the second round. Dubas is betting Robertson, Kuzmenko, and van Riemsdyk can replicate that trajectory, extracting high-end production from underperforming or misfit assets without breaking the bank. Pittsburgh is navigating a precarious window where long-term contracts have clogged the salary cap. By targeting players on value contracts or those needing a fresh start, Dubas attempts to inject speed and skill without sacrificing future draft capital or significant cap space. This approach acknowledges that the team cannot simply outspend opponents; they must out-scout and out-develop misfits to stay relevant in a brutal Metropolitan Division. Robertson specifically addresses a need for high-end shot generation on the wing, a metric where the Penguins struggled last season. If he unlocks the consistency that eluded him in Toronto, the power play receives an immediate boost. Meanwhile, Kuzmenko’s offensive creativity offers a different look than the grinding forwards previously relied upon, while van Riemsdyk stabilizes a defensive corps that lacked depth. These are calculated gambles that the Penguins' system can extract more efficiency than their previous organizations did. The reclamation strategy carries risks. Robertson’s ice time in Toronto was inconsistent, raising questions about his role under Dubas’ system. Kuzmenko’s production dipped in Los Angeles after a 55-point season in Vancouver the year prior, while van Riemsdyk’s mobility has declined as he enters his mid-30s. Yet the Penguins’ cap situation demands low-risk, high-upside bets—exactly what Dubas has delivered in the past. Dubas’ approach also signals a shift in roster construction. Instead of chasing marquee free agents or overpaying for rental players, he’s targeting reclamation projects with tangible upside. The Penguins’ pipeline of prospects like Samuel Poulin and Owen Pickering adds pressure to develop young talent, but Dubas is betting that veteran reclamation projects can bridge the gap while those players mature. This hybrid model—mixing youth and reclamation—reflects a pragmatic, cost-controlled path in a league where spending parity is tightening. What’s next: The Penguins will finalize their roster ahead of training camp, with Robertson, Kuzmenko, and van Riemsdyk expected to compete for regular roles. Dubas’ next moves may hinge on whether these reclamation projects deliver—or if another mid-season adjustment is needed. ## Why this matters Kyle Dubas is betting that underperforming assets can be flipped into scoring threats without major cap hits. After Anthony Mantha’s resurgence in 2023-24, Dubas is again targeting reclamation projects—this time Robertson, Kuzmenko, and van Riemsdyk—to keep the Penguins competitive while preserving financial flexibility. The strategy reflects a broader league trend: teams are prioritizing cost-efficient reclamation over big-ticket free agency in a cap-strapped environment. ## Frequently asked ### Who did the Penguins acquire from the Maple Leafs? Pittsburgh acquired forward Nick Robertson in exchange for a draft pick, adding a 22-year-old winger with 14 NHL goals last season. ### Which free agents did the Penguins sign? The Penguins signed Andrei Kuzmenko, a 28-year-old winger coming off a 45-point season with Vancouver, and Trevor van Riemsdyk, a 33-year-old defenseman with 200+ career points. ### Why is Kyle Dubas targeting reclamation projects? Dubas revived Anthony Mantha’s career in 2023-24 after a mid-season trade, and he’s replicating that approach with Robertson, Kuzmenko, and van Riemsdyk to maximize value without heavy spending. ### What did Anthony Mantha do after being acquired last season? Mantha scored 14 goals in 23 regular-season games for Pittsburgh and added 9 in the playoffs, helping the Penguins reach the second round. ### How does this move impact the Penguins’ salary cap? The Penguins avoided long-term, high-cost deals: Robertson came via trade, Kuzmenko signed for a reasonable AAV, and van Riemsdyk’s deal is a short-term, low-risk addition. ### What are the risks of Dubas’ reclamation strategy? Robertson’s ice time was inconsistent in Toronto, Kuzmenko’s production dipped after a strong Vancouver season, and van Riemsdyk’s mobility has declined as he ages. The Penguins are betting on upside despite these concerns. ## Sources & Citations - [Penguins GM Kyle Dubas Once Again Targets Reclamation Projects](https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/penguins-gm-kyle-dubas-once-again-targets-reclamation-projects) — The Hockey News (2026-07-02) --- Cite: Dubas loads up on reclamation projects with Robertson, Kuzmenko, van Riemsdyk. Sportopod, 2026-07-02. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/penguins-gm-kyle-dubas-once-again-targets-reclamation-projec-bf5e6b53