2024-25
Record: 34-36-12, 7th in Metropolitan Division
Playoffs: Missed Stanley Cup Playoffs
Key Losses
Matt Grzelcyk (D – UFA), Alex Nedeljkovic (G – Trade with SJ), P.O. Joseph (D – Signed with VAN), Matt Nieto (F – UFA), Conor Timmins (D – Trade with BUF), Mike Sullivan (Head Coach – Contract Expired)
Key Additions
Anthony Mantha (F – Signed via FA), Matt Dumba (D – Trade with DAL), Arturs Silovs (G – Trade with VAN), Justin Brazeau (F – Signed via FA), Parker Wotherspoon (D – Signed via FA). Connor Clifton (D – Trade with BUF), Alexander Alexeyev (D – Signed via FA), and Dan Muse (Head Coach – Hired)
2025-26 Preview
Finally Accepting the Rebuild
For the Pittsburgh Penguins, the realization that a rebuild is needed to turn the franchise around, and finally after a couple seasons of denial by general manager Kyle Dubas, the rebuild is now underway. Gone is head coach Mike Sullivan, who had his contract expire, and in comes new head coach Dan Muse. The first time NHL head coach will bring a new voice and focus as the Penguins embark through a journey they haven’t had to do since drafting Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to become the new faces of the franchise.
The Penguins also made some personnel changes as they moved on from players Matt Grzelcyk, P.O. Joseph, Matt Nieto, Conor Timmons, and Alex Nedeljkovic and in return brought in veterans in Anthony Mantha, Matt Dumba, and Connor Clifton along with some youth in goaltender Artur Silovs and some depth with Justin Brazeau, Parker Wotherspoon, and Alexander Alexeyev. While these moves won’t really turn the needle for the Penguins, it’ll be a solid start towards working on turning things around. Now to see what the Penguins do in goal as Silovs is ready to be a number one, and Joel Blomqvist is ready to become a full-time NHL goaltender, but Tristan Jarry still stands in the way with his bad contract.
Does Malkin Finish the Season in Pittsburgh?
For Malkin, he is entering the final year of his contract with the Penguins, and with them in a rebuilding mode, the focus on Malkin will intensify. Does he get moved at the trade deadline for assets? One would think he would, and honestly, he’s still producing respectable numbers so the Penguins could get a nice haul of picks and prospects for Malkin if he continues producing at the level he is now, and if he stays healthy of course.
However, the other question that needs to be asked is would Malkin be willing to be traded if/when the time comes for the Penguins to move on from Malkin and get assets to further their rebuild? Malkin still has a full no-movement clause that requires his approval to be traded. So this creates a unique conundrum for the Penguins and any potential suitors for Malkin.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Rickard Rakell — Sidney Crosby — Bryan Rust
Ville Koivunen — Evgeni Malkin — Anthony Mantha
Rutger McGroarty — Tommy Novak — Philip Tomasino
Connor Dewar — Blake Lizotte — Justin Brazeau
Defense
Owen Pickering — Kris Letang
Ryan Graves — Erik Karlsson
Parker Wotherspoon — Mathew Dumba
Goalies
Tristan Jarry
Arturs Silovs
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