The Pittsburgh Penguins have the chance to add to their roster without giving up anything from their NHL roster. The risk is not great but they may have to give up something in the future. That risk is offer sheets. While it has not happened often, GM Kyle Dubas could use this tactic to acquire some big names that could be had. The question is about who he will target?
The offer sheet can change a franchise
The offer sheet was introduced in 1986 and created a new way for organizations to change their rosters. Since it was introduced, there have been 46 restricted free agents (RFAs) who have put ink to paper. Of those 46, 22 had the offer sheets matched by their original team and 24 had found new teams. Some of the more notable players changing teams include Guy LaFleur (New York Rangers to Quebec Nordiques), Brendan Shanahan (New Jersey Devils to St. Louis Blues ), and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Montreal Canadiens to Carolina Hurricanes).
Offer sheets are rarely used today but it has happened. The Blues used this to attract two players, defenseman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway, from the Edmonton Oilers in a move that paid immediate dividends for St. Louis. While this can be a huge payoff for the team looking to acquire a player or two, it can cost them a bit of their future. If the player does sign the offer sheet, the team getting him would have to send any number of draft picks the other way if the original team does not match according to the rules of offer sheets. The Penguins have never obtained, or lost, a player to an offer sheet. With the Penguins still in their contending window, this would be a huge move to grab a big name.
What does the situation for Pittsburgh look like?
The Penguins have a projected cap space of $37.68 million for next season. They are going to be big players this offseason whether they use offer sheets or not. Some of the names they could try to lure include Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars), Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers), Mavrik Bourque (Dallas Stars), Simon Nemec (New Jersey Devils), Pavel Dorofyev (Vegas Golden Knights), and Kirby Dach (Montreal Canadiens).
Pittsburgh does have the assets to make a play on one or more of these players. They have five draft picks in the 2026 NHL draft, nine picks in 2027, 11 picks in 2028, and eight picks in 2029. Although it is rare, Pittsburgh does have a great opportunity to upgrade this roster. Dubas has made great strides with this team to put them into playoff contention. One or more players from the list above could make them Stanley Cup contenders, something that has not happened in a while.
The Penguins do not have a strong prospect pool but they never have. They are in more of a win-now mode Pittsburgh has always been more of a veteran group with rookies sprinkled in. The list provides players who have played in the league for more than a few years and are capable of making this team one that surges ahead in the standings. Most thought the Penguins would not make the playoffs and they did. Most think that Pittsburgh and Dubas will not make a major move this offseason. He is out to prove them wrong again.
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