After coming off a season where the Pittsburgh Penguins blew past expectations and made the playoffs, you'd think the vibes would be better. Sadly, the opposite has happened, and the team has followed up their overperformance with a lackluster offseason. They didn't do much in free agency or the trade market to improve their roster, and you could argue it's gotten worse.
This upcoming year will be an interesting point in the franchise's history. They have new ownership who is eager to win hockey games, but the club is in an awkward spot. They are loaded with aging stars who helped carry them into the post season last year only to struggle against the Flyers. It's clear they want the roster to get younger, but that doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon.
Who knows how this campaign will transpire for the Penguins, but this could be the final rodeo for some big names on the team.
Pittsburgh could always re-sign some of these players as they are projected to have $60 million in cap space when next offseason arrives. With that said, the franchise could finally accept a full tear down rebuild, which would see many familiar names get the boot.
Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin highlight Pittsburgh Penguins who could leave after this season
Erik Karlsson
If things go south this season and the Penguins sell at the trade deadline, it makes a ton of sense to move Erik Karlsson. He has produced a topsy-turvy career during his time in Pittsburgh, but he just had a remarkable 2025 season. Any ability to replicate that performance should command high value on the trade market. It doesn't seem like the Penguins have any interest in re-signing Karlsson.
Evgeni Malkin
They decided to bring Evgeni Malkin back for another year after he produced a solid campaign and isn't blocking any young forwards from entering the lineup. Perhaps his switch to the wing will prolong his career, but even this recent contract extension felt forced. Malkin doesn't seem eager to retire anytime soon, but the Penguins might have to let him go if this isn't his final season.
Their focus on long-term success probably doesn't mesh with hanging onto the future Hall of Famer.
Samuel Girard
Don't be shocked if Samuel Girard gets traded this offseason as his fit in Pittsburgh remains puzzling. He just hasn't worked out with the Penguins, but due to their lack of options on the left side of their defense, they might be forced to hang onto Girard. There is a possibility where the veteran stays with the team this year and could become a trade candidate if the team isn't in a spot of contention.
Justin Brazeau
Unless something completely flips the script on Justin Brazeau going into the season, there is no reason to believe he will be back with the Penguins next year. He is set to hit free agency, and the truth is that he probably overshot his expectations during the first couple of months last season. The likelihood of Brazeau replicating that success is low, and he could struggle to keep a roster spot.
If a younger forward can steal his spot in the lineup, it's hard to know if Brazeau will stick around for the immediate future, let alone when his contract expires.
Andrei Kuzmenko
He was signed as a mercenary of sorts similar to Anthony Mantha. He is a guy coming off of injury who has produced a reasonable goal scoring rate in the past. Andrei Kuzmenko shouldn't hold Mantha-level expectations going into this season, but he could produce a similar team-friendly contract. It would take a lot to change to see Kuzmenko stay with the Penguins long-term.
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