The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering the twilight zone this offseason. Evgeni Malkin will be embarking on his farewell tour while the clock is ticking on Sidney Crosby. The Pens did not make the playoffs last season and will be rolling with a new coach next season.
There are some talented pieces on the board, but not likely enough to make a strong run at the postseason in 2025-26.
This scenario is one the team hasn’t been in for a long time.
So, the Pens could be compelled to make a splash in this year’s free-agent market and lure a big fish. That big fish could be Toronto Maple Leafs free-agent-to-be Mitch Marner.
Marner could be the piece the Penguins need to contend this season while becoming a player the team could build around in the years to come. He’s a dynamic playmaker who could mesh well with other goal-scorers on the team like Rickard Rakell.
But beyond the clear benefits of adding Mitch Marner, two connections stand out as unique circumstances that could facilitate the Penguins’ addition of the biggest free-agent name this offseason.
Mitch Marner and his connection to Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby
Marner is known to be close to Sidney Crosby as he worked out with the Penguins captain at his offseason mini-camp. The Hockey News reported Marner training with Crosby and Colorado Avalanche superstar Nathan MacKinnon in Vail, Colorado last summer.
Insider Elliotte Friedman discussed how Marner worked out with MacKinnon and Crosby as the soon-to-be-free-agent wanted to boost his overall performance this past season.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that the news of Marner, Crosby, and MacKinnon working out together initially set off speculation that Crosby could be joining MacKinnon in Colorado. That talk died following Crosby’s two-year extension this season.
But then again, why not link Marner to Crosby? The Penguins have an evident need for a player with Marner’s skills while the familiarity with Crosby would make the transition that much smoother.
Mitch Marner and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas go back a long time
Another crucial Marner connection to Pittsburgh is general manager Kyle Dubas. Dubas was the GM with the Toronto Maple Leafs for five years. During that span, Dubas negotiated Marner’s expiring contract.
The club signed Marner to a six-year, $65.41 million deal. As such, Dubas is in a unique position to deal with Marner and his people as he’s negotiated with them before. That experience gives Dubas a leg up on everyone else looking to add the 28-year-old star winger.
There’s one other thing about the Dubas-Marner connection.
Changes are never easy. As such, having an opportunity to land in a spot with old friends can be a major factor in easing said transition. Having Crosby and Dubas help Marner transition into his new surroundings in Pittsburgh could be the catalyst to put the Penguins over the top.
It remains to be seen if these connections will be enough to entice Marner to leave the fishbowl that is Toronto and join the Penguins in Steel Town.
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