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.