The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves at a familiar yet increasingly urgent crossroads. After a 2025-26 campaign that saw the club return to the postseason only to suffer a first-round exit, President of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas faces an offseason defined by a massive $42.7 million in projected cap space and the looming free agency of franchise icon Evgeni Malkin.
The Malkin Question
The top priority for Pittsburgh is the future of Malkin, who turns 40 in July. Despite his age and a nagging shoulder injury that hampered his second half, Malkin remained productive, posting 61 points in 56 games. Dubas was vocal during his season-ending press conference about the desire to keep “Geno” in the only jersey he has ever worn.
“We would love to have him back,” Dubas stated, noting that the team’s younger players haven’t yet pushed well enough to displace a legend of Malkin’s caliber. The shift to the wing late in the season alongside Tommy Novak and Egor Chinakhov seemed to reduce the physical toll on Malkin, potentially providing a blueprint for a short-term extension.
The “Big Three” Legacy
As Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson enter the final years of their respective deals, the pressure to build a contender around them is immense. Dubas admitted that while the goal is to remain competitive, he must act in the “best interest of the Penguins,” even if it means making unpopular decisions regarding aging core members. For now, the focus remains on keeping the band together for one more run while carefully integrating the “NHL Pipeline” into the supporting cast.
Goaltending Transition
Pittsburgh’s crease is set for a significant overhaul. While veteran Stuart Skinner is a pending UFA and Arturs Silovs is an RFA, Dubas noted that a youth movement is imminent. The organization is high on prospects Sergei Murashov and Joel Blomqvist, both of whom are expected to compete for NHL roster spots this fall. Dubas indicated the team will likely retain one of the Skinner/Silovs duo to pair with a rookie, ensuring the “bridge” to the next generation of goaltending begins now.
Cap Flexibility vs. Long-Term Health
With over $40 million to play with, the Penguins are theoretically the biggest players in the free-agent market. However, Dubas preached extreme caution. While stars like Anthony Mantha (coming off a 33-goal season) are hitting the market, Dubas warned against “burning space long-term” on deals the team might regret by 2028.
The strategy appears to be a “pragmatic retool” rather than an aggressive spending spree. The team has already made minor moves, re-signing defenseman Ilya Solovyov ($850k) and forward Connor Dewar to shore up depth, suggesting Dubas will hunt for value rather than just high-priced stars.
Dubas’ dumpster-diving worked in 2025, let’s see if he can do it again this off-season with an FA pool that is perilously shallow. Feels like we’re gonna see some trades, since that’s the only avenue to acquire top-level talent right now.
Offer sheet Dorofeyev
Dubas seems to be doing all the right things, yet always fails in the end.
For 2 years he tried to make the playoffs and failed. This season, he tried to tank, but the coach he hired made the playoffs instead.
All that after for years trying to win a playoff series with the Leafs and failing every time. And when he finally won one, they let him go.
The dude is cursed.
He has surpassed expectations by a huge amount this past season and has oodles of cap space and picks to get even better. He should have been in the Adams convo for best GM. Hardly a failure. And this is from a Penguin hater!
It’s the coach who has surpassed people’s expectations. It’s Dubas who hired him, but he hired him in order to tank.
🙄
He hired him to help develop the younger players, not tank. He can do that and win at the same time. If you think tanking was on the board while Crosby is on the roster you may want to check your puck knowledge, respectfully.
They missed playoffs for 3 straight years with a stronger roster and younger Crosby and Malkin.
What was the point of Dubas delaying the inevitable rebuild? The Pens finished 41 and 41 in a weak division, And, Won two playoff games, So, In reality nobody can call Pittsburgh’s season a success.
Disagree, finishing above expectations is a success!
dubas is planning to add some youth by trading for tavaras in the off-season
Is Matthews available? Is he worth acquiring or is he the problem there?
What would it cost?
We have enough assets (and can get more by moving Rust and/or Rakell) to make it worth discussing.