POINT SHOTS

I know it’s a bit more nuanced than this, but in his first year as president, Kyle Dubas basically traded Jake Guentzel for Erik Karlsson. I’m not saying whether that was the correct choice. But adding Karlsson in August put Thursday’s deal in motion.

There was buzz back in January that Dubas was interested in a reunion with Michael Bunting. No surprise given his affinity for former Soo Greyhounds. But that begs the question: Why didn’t Dubas just sign him last summer instead of trading for Smith? Anyway, he finally got his guy (again). I’m eager to see how he fits in.

The Penguins’ first-round pick this year is top-10 protected. Those pingpong balls can take crazy caroms, so it would behoove them to finish in the NHL’s bottom eight. If their effort against the Capitals on Thursday was any indication of what’s to come, the Penguins should have no problem getting there. Woof.

Vasily Ponomarev, pictured, is the only one of the three new prospects we will see in Pittsburgh this season, Dubas said. Sam Poulin also better be up with the Penguins soon. They need to determine what they have in the star-crossed former first-rounder.

They should get a peek at Joel Blomqvist, pictured above, too. He’s had a great first season in the AHL, but Pittsburgh should show patience. It’s best to let him gradually bloom.

So long, Ty Smith, one of the last remnants of a disastrous day for Ron Hextall two summers ago. Hextall got rid of Mike Matheson and John Marino to acquire Smith and Jeff Petry. Smith played just nine games in Pittsburgh. However, he is only 23, and it won’t be a surprise if he finds moderate success elsewhere.

Fans from the 412 area code just hopped on the Hurricanes bandwagon. It’s hard not to like this deal from their perspective. They have a deep prospect pool but didn’t have to give up a blue-chipper to acquire a proven playoff scorer. The Hurricanes are on my short list of potential Cup winners. Read on to find that.