The Pittsburgh Penguins are expected to have over $50 million in salary cap space for the 2026-27 season, though this could fluctuate depending on decisions made by Kyle Dubas, the team’s general manager and president of Hockey Operations.
Several players, including Evgeni Malkin, Kevin Hayes, Anthony Mantha, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, Connor Dewar, Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton, and Ryan Shea, are projected to become unrestricted free agents. Meanwhile, Philip Tomasino, Artur Silovs, and Alexander Alexeyev are set to be restricted free agents.
Among the unrestricted free agents, Malkin seems the most likely to return next season, although retirement rumors persist. He has yet to decide his future and may take some time post-Olympics in February to reflect. Malkin spent his entire career with the Penguins and has repeatedly expressed his desire to remain with the team, ideally ending his career alongside longtime teammates Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Should he choose to continue playing, the team could easily offer him a one-year contract at a reasonable salary, especially since he aims to improve this season with better linemates.
For other unrestricted free agents, Dubas is expected to trade many of them before next season’s deadline. Anthony Mantha is poised to follow a path similar to Anthony Beauvillier, who made an impact after being acquired last season, scoring 13 goals and 20 points while playing in top-nine roles. Although Mantha is recovering from a torn ACL, he managed 23 goals in the 2023-24 season.
Kevin Hayes, Danton Heinen, Noel Acciari, Blake Lizotte, and Connor Dewar are all potential depth players that teams could target at the trade deadline. Dewar might be the most likely to remain with the Penguins, as he showed promise in the latter half of last season with four goals and seven points in 17 games. At just 26 years old, Dewar fits the front office’s desire to keep the roster youthful.
Defensive players Matt Dumba, Connor Clifton, and Ryan Shea are seen as valuable deadline trade assets. Both Dumba and Clifton need strong bounce-back seasons, with Clifton openly admitting dissatisfaction with his performance last year and expressing a desire to rediscover his form after joining Pittsburgh.
Among the restricted free agents, Tomasino and Silovs are expected to stay with the Penguins between 2025 and 2026. Tomasino could be a reliable scorer if he gains more consistency, potentially playing top-nine and power-play minutes under the new coaching staff. Silovs was acquired to bolster goaltending depth after excelling in the AHL playoffs, where he was MVP and helped the Abbotsford Canucks win the Calder Cup by posting a 16-7 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and a save percentage of .931.
Some veteran unrestricted free agents from previous years have now signed, but Brock McGinn, a former Penguin, remains unsigned this August. His performance with the Edmonton Oilers in the 2024-25 season was modest, but he played a key role during the playoffs. He is expected to compete with Tristan Jarry for playing time this coming season.
Alexeyev is battling for a roster spot on the left side of defense and, after signing a one-year deal worth $775,000, aims to prove his value as affordable depth at both AHL and NHL levels.
The Penguins made several offseason changes and could make more, depending on trades. Key players Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust remain on the team for now, but further adjustments are expected next season due to their free agency situation and ongoing rebuild.
Fan Take: This news is significant for hockey fans because it highlights the Penguins’ balancing act between maintaining star power and rebuilding for the future. The decisions made now will shape the team’s competitiveness and chemistry, impacting not only Pittsburgh’s success but also the broader dynamics of the NHL.
