Mailbag: Penguins' Struggles and Blues' Decisions
NHL.com's Dan Rosen addresses weekly inquiries
By Dan Rosen
@drosennhl (https://www.x.com/drosennhl) NHL.com Senior Writer
November 26, 2025
The NHL.com weekly 'Over the Boards' mailbag is a popular feature this season. Each week, senior writer Dan Rosen reviews and answers questions sent to him on X. To join the conversation, send your queries to @drosennhl on X, using the hashtag #OvertheBoards.
Are the Penguins regressing to their mean, or is this a challenging season for Kyle Dubas, balancing the need to contend now and build for the future?
The Penguins seem to be regressing to their mean, aligning more closely with expectations. However, they might be in a slightly better position than initial predictions. Initially, the Penguins had a strong start in October, but their performance was not entirely justified by the numbers. They led in wins, points (18), and points percentage (.750), but their goals per game (3.67) and goals against per game (2.42) were respectable. However, they were allowing 30.7 shots per game, which was a concern. Their shot attempts at 5-on-5 were only 45.5%, and their shooting percentage was 10.2%, which was sustainable but not exceptional. These numbers indicated that their success was not sustainable.
In November, the Penguins' performance took a turn for the worse, despite their numbers not being as poor as their 2-4-3 record suggested. Their biggest issue is scoring, with only 2.22 goals per game this month, a significant drop from October. They are arguably defending better, allowing 2.89 goals per game. However, their shot attempts at 5-on-5 are now 52.0%, and they are allowing 25.3 shots on goal per game, which is an improvement. The Penguins' 5-on-5 production has significantly decreased, with only 11 goals in nine games and a shooting percentage of 5.5%.
The Penguins' offense is better than their current performance but not as strong as it was in October. If they can maintain a balance between their October and November performances and focus on solid defense, they can remain competitive in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, this might not be enough to address the delicate balance between contending now and building for the future. Questions about the futures of key players like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will likely arise later in the season. It's unlikely that the Penguins will trade these players unless they request a trade. Malkin's future is uncertain unless he decides to leave.
Dubas' challenge, as it was during the offseason, is to navigate this delicate balance with the big three.
What's the Blues' next step? Doug Armstrong stated the retooling was complete, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Could they trade a prominent player?
The St. Louis Blues are underperforming this season, both as a team and individually, which casts doubt on their strong finish last season. Their execution appears off, with everything feeling challenging and unseamless. This contrasts with their seamless performance during the post-4 Nations run to the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season.
Despite their recent struggles, there's a belief that the Blues can rediscover their seamless execution, as evidenced by their 3.81 goals per game in the 26 games following the 4 Nations. They seemed to be approaching this level, with points in three straight games, albeit with two overtime losses, before losing to the New York Rangers. After the loss, coach Jim Montgomery noted a lack of intensity and connectedness in their play.
The next 15 games will be crucial, as they will determine the Blues' fate until the holiday break. If their offense shows consistent life, they might avoid further retooling attempts. However, if the offense continues to sputter, more changes could be on the horizon. Players like Brayden Schenn, Justin Faulk, and Jordan Kyrou might become trade candidates, especially considering their ages and contracts.
Should Detroit waive John Gibson? Or is Sebastian Cossa ready?
Waiving John Gibson is not the solution yet. While Cossa is performing well in the American Hockey League, with a 5-1-0 record, 1.67 GAA, and .940 save percentage in six games, it's too early to make such a move. Gibson, despite a slow start with a 4-6-1 record, 3.46 GAA, and .870 save percentage, has shown the ability to perform at a higher level, as evidenced by his 33-save performance in a 1-0 loss and a 31-save game in a 2-1 overtime win.
The Red Wings acquired Gibson to be a potential No. 1 goalie, sending Petr Mrazek and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. They won't give up on him after just a dozen games, especially to elevate Cossa, who has limited NHL experience. The Red Wings should give Gibson more time to prove his worth.
Why doesn't the NHL play on Thanksgiving or Christmas, like the NFL and NBA?
The NHL plays 15 games on Wednesday, providing Americans with a chance to enjoy Thanksgiving feasts while watching NHL hockey on multiple screens. This is a holiday tradition that many can appreciate. The NHL also plays 15 games on Friday, including the 2025 NHL Thanksgiving Showdown between the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. With 11 more games on Saturday and four on Sunday, the NHL offers a total of 45 games over the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday weekend. While there are no games on Thursday, the entire weekend can be centered around NHL hockey.
Regarding Christmas, the NHL's decision to take Dec. 24-26 off is beneficial for all league staff, from players to officials. It provides a break in the middle of a demanding season and allows for schedule analysis. The NHL resumes on Dec. 27, leading up to the Winter Classic, a significant holiday celebration featuring the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. The Olympic roster announcements and the tournament itself add to the excitement around the holidays.
If you could choose an NHL city to celebrate Thanksgiving, which one would it be, and why?
This year, it's a convenient choice, being based in New Jersey, close to Prudential Center, Madison Square Garden, and UBS Arena. This location allows for easy access to live NHL games on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday without traveling far. The New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders have home games on Wednesday, the Islanders on Friday, the New York Rangers on Saturday, and the Devils on Sunday. It's a hockey lover's dream, with a variety of games to enjoy right in my backyard.
