An Early Look at the Penguins 2025-26 Lineup; Rookies and Waivers, too
While the Pittsburgh Penguins enjoy a day off Tuesday, we have a moment to look ahead to next season with more prospects, young players, and new lines.
There will also be some new faces next fall, and there could be some painful goodbyes, too. It could be a tumultuous summer with plenty of roster turnover.
Of course, a turnover is nothing new to anyone who has watched the Penguins this season.
And therein lies part of the Penguins’ problem: turnovers, sloppy play, and defensive zone coverage that still adheres to the COVID six-foot rule. I’ll offer this note to general manager Kyle Dubas on behalf of many of you: If veterans cannot uphold basic fundamentals, thus creating a negative deficit, then they can be replaced by lesser talented players or young players who will at least have structure and perhaps add a bit of tenacity.
And I’ll offer a note to many of you on the unofficial behalf of coach Mike Sullivan and Dubas: not every veteran making mistakes is a negative deficit. There are players like Erik Karlsson who can change the game at any moment, so they get miles more leash than a waiver-wire defenseman who makes the same mistake.
That’s not just hockey, that’s life.
So, with Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen making their splashy debuts Sunday (McGroarty played three games in October, but Sunday felt like his official arrival, did it not?), we have a solid baseline for next season.
Now, before you flip coffee tables and take to Reddit with pitchforks, I’m going to project McGroarty and Koivunen in more natural roles and factor in Sullivan’s desire to win games, at least until the team falls well out of the playoff hunt. Also, bear in mind that McGroarty likes to play both wings and is quite good defensively, so the lefty can essentially slot anywhere in the lineup.
As a precursor, definitely check our in-person scouting reports on the Penguins’ prospects from the numerous trips to Wilkes-Barre and Hershey.
Read More: Penguins Prospects: Why Everyone Might be Wrong on Rutger McGroarty (+)
Tristan Broz is the next prospect to watch. The silky-mited, above-average skater has played center this season, building on his work under David Carle at the University of Denver late last season. The switch to the middle has opened up his game, though we’re still not absolutely convinced he’s not a winger at the top level.
Thirdly, we can’t predict trades. Will there be a suitor for Erik Karlsson? We just don’t know. The lack of any rumors near the NHL trade deadline was not a good sign.
Lastly, if Dubas didn’t trade Rakell at the deadline, I feel a little dubious that he’ll trade him this summer. It could very well happen, but for now, he’s penciled in.
So, while my views on setting the lines may differ from Sullivan’s, they could also end up this way after more experimentation. I like Koivunen’s scrappy game and speed with Crosby more than I like McGroarty’s complete game. I also think McGroarty, on the same line as Rickard Rakell, has a bit of overlapping skills. d
Potential 2025-26 Penguins Lines
Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Ville Koivunen
Rutger McGroarty-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Tristan Broz-Tommy Novak-Philip Tomasino
Kevin Hayes-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari
13th forward: Danton Heinen/Connor Dewar
Dark Horse: Avery Hayes. The team has a stunning lack of right-handed forwards, and Hayes seems to have a plucky ability to insert himself into the play and manufacture results. He could and should get a very good look in training camp.
Not yet: Tanner Howe. He probably needs a full season in Wilkes-Barre before he’s ready to play a greasy game in the NHL- a full professional season and a few protein shakes would help.
Defense
Owen Pickering-Kris Letang
?????-Erik Karlsson
Ryan Shea-Conor Timmins
UPDATE: We forgot Conor Timmins in the original draft.
It seems to be a given that Pickering will be in the NHL next season. He’s earned it.
7th D: P.O Joseph. For a small salary, we think Joseph’s flexibility to play both sides, as well as his skating, make him a perfect choice. When Joseph is on his game, he’s a top-four defenseman for the club. However, he’s too prone to bad games, which limits his everyday usage.
Waived: Ryan Graves
The Penguins simply can’t go into a season with Graves. He’s an interesting and thoughtful human being who has the skills to play defense in the NHL, but his game and the Penguins’ system is just an awful match that has submarined his play and limited the blue line.
We also don’t know if Vladislav Kolyachonok is a keeper. He simply hasn’t played much hockey over the last five years, and he could probably benefit from big minutes in the AHL if they can re-sign him and slip him through waivers in training camp. He hasn’t shown enough at the NHL level in his tryout this season to guarantee anything more than another chance in the fall.
Will the team re-sign Matt Grzelcyk? Neither side knows. Grzelcyk seems like a July 2 signing if a better opportunity doesn’t come calling.
Putting Harrison Brunicke in the lineup is a risk, but it’s entirely possible. We’re not fully sold on Timmins, but re-signing Joseph and having Shea under contract provides enough insurance on the right side in case Brunicke isn’t ready or the team isn’t sold on Timmins, either.
Also, Jack St. Ivany could reclaim his NHL spot with a good camp and preseason, but his play greatly dipped in the 2024-25 season. It’s hard to project a complete turnaround.
Goaltending
OK, you’re probably going to argue, but I think this is how it will play out.
Goalie 1: Tristan Jarry
Goalie 2: Alex Nedeljkovic
The jury remains out on the matter, and fan emotions will play absolutely zero role in the decision. Sorry. Jarry’s bounce back and Sullivan’s recent reliance on him should tell you the story: The Penguins are hoping he grabs the job or showcases himself enough that a goalie-starved team takes a gamble on him via trade.
Jarry’s career is not “no more.” He has not ceased to be. His career has not expired and gone to meet its maker. He’s not stiff, bereft of life, he does not rest in peace … his metabolic processes are not history. He’s not off the twig. He hasn’t kicked the bucket, shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain, or joined the bleedin’ choir invisible. He is not an ex-goalie.
If he collapses in the final seven games, he’s a prime buyout candidate, but if Jarry asserts himself once more, he’s the stopgap starter. Don’t overthink it.
The organization should be concerned by Joel Blomqvist’s lack of puck-stopping ability at the NHL level. Instead of Jarry, perhaps Blomqvist is the prospect offered in a trade this summer. Sergei Murashov is on his way, but not quite by next fall.
And there you go. Have at it in the comments section.
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Yikes! Even cats only have nine lives. 🙂
what about Timmins and Dewar
I had to add them quickly. Truthfully, they both escape my focus.
Off the top of my head, this put them something like $20 mil under the cap, doesn’t that cap space necessitate some FAs coming in?
Even if they don’t spend to the cap and get a marque guy like Marner, they almost have to bring in a couple mid-tier free agents, right? This isn’t the Pirates!
Also, if an RFA like PO returns and we don’t get Dewar and Timmins back, I’ll be very sad!
Looking at the UFA options, we’d be better off passing. There really isn’t much worthwhile for a rebuilding team. Maybe an RFA, but I think GMKD keeps his cash for 2027.
I like your assessment of the lines. I would add that with the additional salary cap increase I think they should go for Nikolaj Ehlers in Free Agency and put him on the left wing with Sid. If he will sign with Pittsburgh of course! Then you move Rakell back to RW and move Koivunen down the lineup. Just a thought.
Players that need subtracted before they actually start to improve: Tommy Novak-(understand he hasnt played a game, seen enough of him in Nashville to know, he isnt a
fit here. Kevin Hayes & Noel Acciari, no earthly reason they should be on a rebuilding team. Need 2 second pairing defenseman, if you can move Karlsson, he goes. Jarry without question, not buying this latest chapter.
Connor Dewar on the 3rd line with Novak and Tomasino. Cap space will be used on a Top 4 (Top Pairing Dman) – my choice is Vladislav Gavrikov. Next season’s Pens will (hopefully) have a nice blending of veterans & youth.
Well, you are probably close. Sadly.
If the Pens don’t do 3 things they will miss the playoffs again.
1 Fire Sully
2 Trade or buy out Jarry
3 Get a REAL D man and a scoring winger in free agency.
And as for EK and his runway, until he is a plus player he should not be immune from benching for his costly gaffs.
Correct, but if the Pens don’t do your #1, nothing else matters!!!!
Exactly!
For a supposed “Insider” you sure as hell don’t know Sid want Rust on his line & what Sid wants, Sid Gets
Is Vasily Ponomorev still considered a prosepect?
Yes
I still believe that Dubas’ legacy thus far is very much tied to his acquisition of
Erik Karlsson. If he is unable to unload him for something decent it will go down as one of the worst trades in recent Penguin history!
Imama?
Free wheeling and rushing the puck are the things EK excels at. It’s what has made him a hall of famer. If he’s staying then it’s imperative they find a quality stay at home d-man that can help cover for him and free him up. In theory graves should be that guy but it hasn’t worked out here for whatever reason.
Tristan Jarry is pining for the fjords!
He could be a lumberjack.
Where do you want to see FA money to go to? Meaning most spending top priority. Top 6, mid 6 or back end
What Jarry bounce back? He’s played, what, 7 games and was pulled in two. Is that really a bounce back? Get him outa here! I’ve seen enough of him.
Also, Kolyachonok stays.
I see two issues. 1) This lineup leaves a lot of cap space on the table. Leaving $20-23 Million in space is actually not fair to Sid. I know they are rebuilding, and Sid signed up for that, but that is a throwing up a white flag before season starts. 2) Ponamarev? Hayes and Acciari have to be gone, no reason for them to be on the team, they are just taking up space. Dewar seems like the same player as Acciari, but younger. Move on.
Dan, let me throw this nugget out there. What are the chances the Pens, by some miracle can sign one of these college FA’s: Quinn Hutson or TJ Hughes once the Frozen Four is over? I would love see them get Hutson, that family has high blood-line skills. Talk about giving the prospect pool getting a massive boost.
So Jarry is at least not a dead parrot! 100% agree about veterans who create a “negative deficit” being replaced with a younger players. If that means putting them on waivers and losing them for nothing, so be it. I absolutely believe if it happens once, you’ll see the other vets put in more effort so they’re not waived and either claimed or play in WBS. I’m sure Dubas is already doing the same thing to figure out where the biggest holes are so he can make a plan for free agency, offer sheets and trades. As for Karlsson, It… Read more »
No! Please No!
They don’t have to re-sign Kolyachonok, he is signed for another season. Getting him to WBS is another story.
Keep Boko over one of the other borderline Fs.
Agreed. I’d rather keep Boko as the 13th forward over someone like Danton Heinen. I’d rather have a depth guy who throws hits and fights over someone like Heinen.
Strangely the NHL seems to have come back to that type player after “skill-ing” them away for a few years. I agree — someone needs to be out there that’ll step up when Sid is being harassed
Agree on Graves. I think Hayes, Acciari, Heinen and Grzelcyk must all go! I also think 1 of the 3 goaltenders must go. Finally, I know it is tough with the NTCs but either Karlsson or Letang must go, as Karlsson played much better in San Jose once Burns left and Letang played better(age probably a factor) before Karlsson got here. But most of all, Sully MUST go!!!
I think Karlsson, Graves and Jarry will all be gone one way or the other. Rakell may stick around unless Dubas gets an offer he can’t refuse. He’s very affordable given his production and the cap going up. There will be 2-3 new players on D, and they should roll with Ned and Blomqvist until Murashov is ready. With the cap space they’ll have they should be able to make a decent run at a playoff spot next year.
Not if Sully is still there they won’t!
I’m sorry, but very uninspiring.
Koivunen-Sid-Rust
Malkin-Mctavish-McGroarty
Hallander-Novak-Tomasino
Poulin-Ponomore-Accari
Hayes
I hadn’t thought about Hallander until I saw his name pop up in the comments. Is there anything more recent on his future than the reporting in December?
If they are stupid enough to resign PO Poser then they need to miss 4 years in a row. This is a very conservative estimate of a line-up for next year. I think Dubas is going to spend in free agency (unrestricted and restricted both), so I see many changes to the defense especially.
He won’t go all in on free agency until he feels they are ready to compete. Doubt if it’s this summer.
I will await your reassessment (and other regular WBS watchers) of St. Ivany in the playoffs, but I have started watching the WBS Pens a lot on TV. I can’t see everything, but to my eyes he looks much, much better. Moving assertively around the D zone and playing much more physical. Time will tell. He needs a really good AHL playoff to get solidly back on track. But I can see it getting better, I think.
That would be a welcome sight. The Penguins would happily bring him to the NHL
He’s done well in a structured system that’s in place in WBS. I feel out of such a system JSI will flounder as Graves has done.
Don’t the NHL Penguins and WBS Penguins run the same basic system?
Yes, but one team holds their player accountable and the other doesn’t
No more undersized under aggressive defenseman. That was one of their biggest problems all year. Couldn’t clear the crease and a reluctance to even check.
Grzelcyk has one of if not the lowest goals per shots in the league at 1.3, he’s pint size and throws the least amount of checks except Karlsson
I just can’t understand peoples fansination with him.
That lineup is a letdown, because it’s not much different than the current lineup lol. Obviously can’t predict trades like you said, so hopefully it’s at least a little different than that.
I would look to move on from Ned. One inconsistent goal tender is enough.
I’d go Rakell-Crosby-Rust, McGroarty-Malkin-Koivunen, Broz-Novak-Tomasino, and Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari. Extra forward-Boko.
I say keep Rakell-Crosby-Rust together because that line is great. I put McGroarty and Koivunen with Malkin because I think he’d benefit from young legs on his wings. The third line is a decent third line, fine as is. And the fourth line I went Dewar over Hayes because I think they should dump Hayes somehow and I’d be fine with keeping Dewar. For the extra forward I say keep Boko, why not, guys like him are important on rebuilding teams and he wouldn’t cost a lot.
No way they keep those many rookies on the team. I just don’t see it happening.
Not with Sully captaining the ship!!!
Dubas said he wants them to reach the NHL in waves. That would track.
Not a wild take Dan. Probably right on Jarry. He wrecked the season then wrecked the draft though. Hope to see him gone sooner rather than later.
You are saying the only winning goalie on a losing team that has horrid defensive lapses wrecked the season?
He obviously is not a Vezina contender, but he certainly did not wreck the season either. He is a part of the team.
And there were maybe three loses you could even pin on him. Game against Colorado at home comes to mind… which other ones?
We need a 2nd line C…counting on a 39 year old Geno in the last year of his contract to produce night in and night out, AND stay healthy, is a big mistake…need a solid D man who plays defense…no more Acciari, that spot needs to go to a young guy
Drop Geno to the 3rd line. Canes did it with Jordon Stall, should be done with Malkin at his age. He’ll perform much better with less minutes.
The only way to get rid of Graves would be , at minimum, giving up a 2nd round pick!
Stashing him in WBS would save–I think–$1.25 million per year. A three year buyout would be much better than four.
I hate that 4th line and feel Hayes or Acari will be moved over the summer. I think Broz starts next year in WB as number 1 center with new wingers and I think you will see a trade for a younger bust NHL established defensive d man to insert in the top 4.
I also see Pony centering that 4th line with the removal of Hayes or Acari.
Lastly I think Ned is gone. Jarry will stay with Blomquist or Larson as a rookie backup
I’d prefer book as 13th forward. but the team needs another goalie. even at his best, jarry is only semi-reliable until thanksgiving.