Dubas Cleans House, Non-Qualifies RFAs; Full Analysis

As Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas said earlier Monday, the team in fact did not qualify any of their restricted free agents. None that are in North America, anyway.

The team extended a qualifying offer to forward Vasily Ponomarev, but that’s a paper move to retain his rights because he signed in the KHL last month. The remaining RFAs will be free agents on July 1, but can begin speaking with teams as of 7 p.m. Monday.

Dubas indicated he was still speaking with agents for Philip Tomasinso and Connor Dewar. However, a deal did not get done. The pair joined defenseman P.O Joseph and minor league forward Emil Bemstrom, who also did not get an offer. Dubas also alleviated some space by not qualifying ECHL goalie Taylor Gauthier, who was the 2024 ECHL goalie of the year, but has been mired in Wheeling behind the organization’s prized prospects, including Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov.

One factor in deciding to non-qualify some of the RFAs was potential arbitration awards. However, none distinguished themselves in their time with the Penguins. Tomasino played 50 games for the Penguins, scoring 11 goals with 23 points, but never found his complete game after his early success following his trade from the Nashville Predators.

Former coach Mike Sullivan tepidly praised Tomasino’s willingness to work at his game, but the praise stopped there.

Joseph was in his second stint with the team, but was never in favor with the former coach. Dubas did not qualify Joseph last June, either, but re-acquired him at mid-season to help with blue line depth and inefficiency.

The moves clear several roster spots, though any of the free agents could re-sign with the team now that arbitration is off the table for most of them.

Full List

Forwards

Raivis Ansons

Emil Bemstrom

Connor Dewar

Philip Tomasino

Defenseman

P.O Joseph

Goaltender

Taylor Gauthier