Dubas assumes role as Penguins' GM

Kyle Dubas is adding more to his plate in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins executive is taking on the title of general manager in addition to his role as president of hockey operations, the team announced Thursday.

Pittsburgh hired Dubas as its president of hockey operations in early June, replacing Brian Burke, who was fired in April alongside GM Ron Hextall after the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005-06.

During his introductory presser, Dubas said he would begin his search for a new GM in July and would guide the Penguins through the draft and free agency himself.

"At this time, I feel it is best for continuity that I formally continue in both roles as president and general manager in the hockey operations department," Dubas said Thursday.

"We will continue to reevaluate the GM position alongside all others in future offseasons to ensure that we are optimizing all facets of the department."

The Penguins' front-office shake-up didn't stop there. Andy Saucier was named director of pro personnel, and Erik Heasley is now the Penguins' director of minor league and amateur scouting operations, while Amanda Kessel and Trevor Daley were both promoted as special assistants to the president of hockey operations and GM.

Dubas has been busy so far this offseason.

He acquired forward Reilly Smith from the Vegas Golden Knights in a trade, re-signed goalie Tristan Jarry and restricted free-agent forward Drew O'Connor, and inked the likes of Noel Acciari, Lars Eller, Ryan Graves, Alex Nedeljkovic, Matt Nieto, Andreas Johnsson, and Vinnie Hinostroza.

Dubas has also expressed an interest in acquiring star defenseman and premier trade target Erik Karlsson.