Despite <a href='https://www.nhl.com/penguins/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>the Penguins</a> having a brutal start to their season and sitting near dead last in the NHL, they just made a trade to acquire Philip Tomasino from Nashville. The Penguins' dismal start to the season, now 7-12-4, has put Kyle Dubas and the veteran core in a difficult position, especially considering their lofty Stanley Cup aspirations, realistic or not, heading into the year. Based on their struggles, some pretty bold moves have already been made by the team. After sending Lars Eller to the Washington Capitals in what was highly debated as a panic trade, another surprising deal was announced on Monday with the <a href='https://www.nhl.com/predators/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Nashville Predators</a>. Unlike the Eller move, this trade signals that the Penguins are indeed buyers, not sellers. <a href='https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/penguins-acquire-philip-tomasino-from-predators-for-draft-pick/' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>They received former first-round pick</a> Philip Tomasino in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/penguins/status/1861130556047515833'> </a></blockquote></div> The announced trade via their social media accounts has left many in question marks as to which direction GM Kyle Dubas is taking the franchise. Tomasino, 23, had a promising start to his career but has so far failed to live up to <a href='https://www.markerzone.com/hockey/stats/nhl/draft.php?a=2019' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>his 2019 first-round draft billing</a>. In his time with Nashville, he's scored just 23 goals and 71 points in 159 games. But he's showcased his potential in the AHL, notching 18 points in 22 games last season. At 6-foot-0, he has okay size and is on a contract year. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/ChelPenguins/status/1861142166153683110'> </a></blockquote></div> This represents a classic buy-low opportunity for the Penguins. If Tomasino finds his groove, he can help the team fight back into playoff contention. If not, the cost of a late-round pick in 2027 is minimal. Dubas seems to view it as a calculated gamble, banking on Tomasino to provide the spark the Penguins desperately need.