As the NHL season comes to an end and we approach the NHL Draft, certain players are set to hit free agency on July 1, after the draft concludes the weekend beforehand.
The Penguins are not going to be able to hold on to every player they have regardless of their status, but there are quite a few restricted free agents and unrestricted free agents.
Penguins Restricted Free Agents
Starting with the restricted free agents, you have Connor Dewar, Phillip Tomasino, Vasiliy Ponomarev, Conor Timmins, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
The Penguins have a decision to make on Ponomarev as his rights in Russia got traded to another team in case he decides to go back there. Ponomarev did not do a whole lot when he got to play games for the Penguins, but he was one of the pieces the Penguins got in return for Jake Guentzel a few seasons ago.
Not all of these guys will be resigned, but a few should get a new contract for sure.
Penguins Unrestricted Free Agents
Now for the unrestricted free agents, there are not nearly as many when referenced to the restricted free agents.
The Penguins have Matt Nieto, Boko Imama, Joona Koppanen, and Matt Grzelcyk. The Penguins have some choices there as to who they should tender a new contract to and who they should not.
Personally, i know what i would do in this situation, and hopefully Kyle Dubas does too and makes the right choice as he aims to make the team younger and faster.