2025-26
Record: 41-25-16, 98 points, 3rd in Metropolitan Division
Playoffs: Lost to Philadelphia in First Round
Key Losses
F – Anthony Mantha (NJ), F – Noel Acciari (PHI), G – Stuart Skinner (WIN), D – Parker Wotherspoon (Trade w/ VGK), D – Connor Clifton (BOS), D – Ryan Shea (EDM)
Key Additions
F – Hendrix Lapierre (Trade w/ WAS), D – Kaedan Korczak (Trade w/ VGK), F – Nick Robertson (Trade w/ TOR), D – Trevor van Riemsdyk (Signed via FA), F – Andrei Kuzmenko (Signed via FA)
2026-27 Preview
Can They Return to the Playoffs?
The 2025-26 season was a year defined by parity, particularly in the Metropolitan Division, where both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers unexpectedly returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. For Pittsburgh, the playoff appearance marked a return to the postseason under then-rookie head coach Dan Muse, who helped guide the Penguins back into contention.
The Penguins responded well to Muse’s leadership and system throughout the season, rewarding the first-year head coach with a playoff berth. However, the real challenge begins now: Can Pittsburgh prove that last season was not a one-year resurgence and make it back to the playoffs in 2027?
The task will not be easy. The Metropolitan Division is expected to be much more competitive this season, with the Washington Capitals restocking their roster after narrowly missing the playoffs, while the Philadelphia Flyers look to build on their surprising run to the Eastern Conference Final. The defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes will also be looking to return to the postseason and defend their title.
Pittsburgh made some moves of its own during the offseason, focusing primarily on adding depth and experience to the roster. The Penguins strengthened their blue line with additional veteran experience while also bringing in more offensive talent to give their forwards additional support.
With several teams in the Metropolitan Division improving, the Penguins will have little room for error. They showed last season that they still have the ability to compete, but maintaining that level of play over an 84-game regular season will be the true test. If Muse can continue getting the most out of his roster and Pittsburgh’s new additions provide the depth they’re looking for, the Penguins could once again find themselves in the playoff picture.
Is This the Possible End for Crosby or Malkin?
For the Penguins, the 2026-27 season could mark the beginning of the end for one of the NHL’s most iconic duos. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are both entering the final year of their respective contracts, putting their futures in Pittsburgh under the spotlight.
The two Penguins legends remained productive during the 2025-26 season and played an important role in helping Pittsburgh return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite being in the later stages of their careers, Crosby and Malkin continue to provide the Penguins with elite experience, leadership, and offensive production.
Now, the duo will look to build on last season’s success while dealing with the uncertainty surrounding what comes next. Crosby has spent his entire NHL career in Pittsburgh, while Malkin has been alongside him for nearly two decades, making the possibility of their time together coming to an end a significant storyline for the organization and its fans.
For two future Hockey Hall of Famers who have accomplished virtually everything together, the 2026-27 season could carry additional meaning. Whether they are able to lead Pittsburgh back to the playoffs—and potentially make another deep run—could play a major role in determining whether this is simply another season for the Penguins’ legendary core or the final chapter of the Crosby-Malkin era in Pittsburgh.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Rickard Rakell — Sidney Crosby — Bryan Rust
Egor Chinakhov — Tommy Novak — Evgeni Malkin
Andrei Kuzmenko — Ben Kindel — Nicholas Robertson
Justin Brazeau — Blake Lizotte — Connor Dewar
Defense
Trevor van Riemsdyk — Erik Karlsson
Samuel Girard — Kris Letang
Ryan Graves — Kaedan Korczak
Goalies
Arturs Silovs
Sergei Murashov