From January 1 to December 31, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins and their GM/President of Hockey Operations, Kyle Dubas, experienced a very active year filled with numerous changes. The team is currently in a rebuilding phase with significant player movement starting as early as January 2025, culminating recently with the acquisition of defenseman Egor Zamura from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Filip Tomasino.
Throughout the year, the Penguins engaged in several trades and signings beyond just training camp deals. Key moves included acquiring defenseman Colton Poolman from the Buffalo Sabers, placing goaltender Tristan Jarry on waivers, trading for defenseman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor from the Vancouver Canucks, and claiming defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok off waivers. The team also secured center Matthias Laferriere from the St. Louis Blues and signed multiple players to entry-level and contract extensions, including defenseman Finn Harding, Ryan Shay, Chase Pietila, and forward Avery Hayes.
Significant mid-season trades involved acquiring forward Tommy Novak and defenseman Luke Schenn from the Nashville Predators, multiple draft picks from teams like the Winnipeg Jets and Philadelphia Flyers, and prospects such as Chase Stillman, Max Graham, Connor Timmins, and Connor Dewar. The Penguins also signed several experienced players on one- and two-year deals to bolster their lineup.
One of the most surprising moves was the trade sending goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a future draft pick, a deal that caught fans and players by surprise. The year also featured a flurry of trades around mid-year, including acquiring goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, defenseman Matt Dumba, and goaltender Arturs Sirovs, alongside several draft pick exchanges designed to reshape the team’s future.
Late in the year, the Penguins continued their reshuffling with notable trades such as acquiring Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets and closing the year by sending Filip Tomasino to Philadelphia for Zamura. Throughout 2025, these strategic moves aimed to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term rebuild and development.
Fan Take: The Penguins’ whirlwind of trades and contracts in 2025 signal a deliberate transformation, showing how a storied franchise adapts in the face of changing seasons. For hockey enthusiasts, this means exciting times ahead, as the team’s blend of young talent and savvy acquisitions could reshape the competitive landscape in upcoming years.
