Pittsburgh Penguins 2025-26 lineup projection 1.0: Draft and Free Player – Hockey Writer – Pittsburgh Penguins

With the offseason in full swing, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves rebuilding while also trying to stay competitive in the core of Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin. General Manager (General Manager) Kyle Dubas has been working to form a stronger roster during the offseason, and the fact that there are a handful of young players who should push the roster to open the 2025-26 season. So, what will the Penguin’s opening lineup look like?

Offseason moves so far

• Signed by LD Parker Wotherspoon (two years, $20 million)
• Signed by RW Justin Brazeau (two years, $3 million)
• Signed by LW Connor Dewar (one year, $1 million)
• Signed by RW Philip Tomasino (one year, $1.5 million)
• Signed by Anthony Mantha (one year, $2.5 million)
• Signed LW Rafael Harvey-Pinard (one year, $775,000)
• Signed D Phil Kemp (two years, $1.55 million)
• Signed RD Alexander Alexeyev (a year, $775,000)
• Trade D Connor Timmins and D Isaac Belliveau to Buffalo Sabers for Pick #39 (D Peyton Kettles) and D Connor Clifton
• Trade G Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks for a third round pick in 2028

Frontline projection

When it comes to the Penguins’ forward team, the top four in the center and right wing seem to be set unless one of these players moves. The problem is on the left. Has new head coach Dan Muse decided to put Rutger McGroarty on the top line, or is he trying to play veterans like Anthony Mantha with Crosby and Rust? Last season, when McGroarty played on the top line, he looked competent and performed well with two of his players, despite limited action (five games). Let him start the season again to see if he can continue to build chemistry with two veterans and the worst case scenario, the lines were cut.

Philip Tomasino, who was acquired from the Nashville Predators last season, ended up standing out with Evgeni Malkin. As the season progresses, the two seem to have built up a strong chemistry and there should be no reason not to put them back. The trio of Tomasino, Malkin and Rickard Rakell should once again bring extra offensive fire to the Penguins. The biggest question mark is how to fill the bottom line of the top six. With the increase in Justin Brazeau and Mantha, two attractions will be occupied. Tommy Novak, Kevin Hayes, Danton Heinen and Noel Acciari are all veterans of last season’s racers, but he should push for a spot from one of them due to Billy Koivunen’s race after calling last season.

A veteran may be moved before the season starts making room for Koivunen, while Dubas and Muse make tough decisions. These decisions will be more difficult based on training camp and preseason finals, but for the moment, Koivunen and Blake Lizotte have won the last two spots for Heinen and Acciari.

Defense pairing projection

Another job combination set for the top four should be set, both Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson (though the murmur of potential trade involving Karlsson) locked the attractions from the back end of the ice. If players like Owen Pickering or Harrison Brunicke have strong camps, they could push the roster to break. Still, the Penguin has a little shingle with the slam veterans in this position (Ryan Graves has an average annual value of $4.5 million and Ryan Shea has an annual value of $3.3 million). Although his offensive numbers haven’t reached the contract yet, Graves looks better as the season progresses, and so does Shea.

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The third pairing comes down to Clifton (in the draft deal with Buffalo Sabers), Jack St. Ivany and Vladislav Kolyachonok. Both Wotherspoon and Clifton went deep in this position and had the ability to play the third pair. San Ivani and Kolojonoke had a chance to play for the Penguins at different times last season and could have a place, but are fighting the tough battle.

Goalkeeper projection

Joel Blomqvist’s door seemed open after Alex Nedeljkovic traded to the San Jose Sharks, just like last season, Joel Blomqvist entered the opening squad. Last season, he was fit for 15 games at the NHL level. He showed growing pain (although also lagging behind the most not necessarily helping his biggest defense), with a 4-9-1 record, 3.81 goal average (GAA) and .885 save percentage (SV%). If he can get his game on track, he can eventually take over Tristan Jarry’s starting ins ropes if he struggles again this season.

The last sentence

The regular season doesn’t start until October, so the Penguins’ roster has plenty of time to change with additional free agent signing and trades. But for now, the mix of veterans and youth in the forward group helps to indicate the future and aspire to remain competitive. The back end of the ice, including goalkeepers, didn’t show much change, but if Owen Pickering or Harrison Brunicke could force the coaching staff and management’s hands, they could crack the lineup and change the look.