Imagining the Penguins’ Roster for the 2027-28 Season

In the ever-shifting landscape of the NHL, Kyle Dubas’s frequent transactions with the Pittsburgh Penguins make it challenging to map out a long-term vision. Each call he makes has the potential to reshape the team’s future in unpredictable ways. With that uncertainty in mind, let’s take a stab at projecting what the Penguins could look like for the 2027-28 season.

Starting with the forward lines, the top-six could feature Sidney Crosby, Egor Chinakhov, Ben Kindel, and Bryan Rust, with two spots still to be determined. The forward group is in need of significant development. We anticipate that Crosby will sign an extension and continue his career into his 40s, while Evgeni Malkin is expected to retire. Although Rickard Rakell is under contract for the current season, we foresee him being traded, unlike Rust, who is likely to remain.

By 2027, Rutger McGroarty should be ready to make his NHL debut, though certainty isn’t guaranteed. Additionally, the potential emergence of Bill Zonnon as a 21-year-old could add depth, but it remains to be seen if he can transition from the AHL to a full-time NHL role. The Penguins have several players in the pipeline, but the leap to the NHL is significant.

On the defensive side, the right-shot defensemen could include Harrison Brunicke and Kris Letang, with Letang also hitting the milestone of 40 years old. His performance may dictate whether he remains with the team. There’s a chance Erik Karlsson could still be with the Penguins, but it seems more probable that he will be elsewhere by then. Beyond Brunicke, the team lacks depth on the right side, an issue they may address through potential acquisitions in the near future.

The left-shot defense is a question mark, with no clear options emerging at this time. Fans can hope that Owen Pickering or Jake Livinavage may step up, but confidence in that outcome is low. The Penguins have significant work ahead, whether that involves re-signing Parker Wotherspoon or bringing in new talent to fill the gaps. This uncertainty might explain the ongoing trade rumors surrounding Darnell Nurse, who, while not the ideal candidate, represents the kind of player the Penguins need.

In goal, Sergei Murashov is projected to be joined by another goaltender, possibly Arturs Silovs, who could cement his position as a reliable option by the 2027-28 season. The fluid nature of goaltending makes it difficult to predict, but this is an area that will require careful consideration moving forward.

The current roster outlook is quite sparse, underscoring the challenges ahead for Pittsburgh. Only seven players—Kindel, Rust, Rakell, Lizotte, Dewar, Letang, and Graves—are under contract for the 2027-28 season, many of whom are veterans who could be traded in the coming months. The number of players on the roster is likely to change significantly, especially following the upcoming draft and the early days of free agency in July.

This situation presents a wealth of options and flexibility for the Penguins as they look to the future. The development of younger players like McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Ville Koivunen, and Elmer Soderblom will be crucial. Additionally, the team hopes that mid-level veterans such as Wotherspoon, Novak, and Sam Girard can establish themselves as key contributors.

As it stands, the Penguins are in a precarious yet exciting position for the medium-term. From 2021-23, many players received multi-year contracts, but that trend has shifted. Since July 2023, only Lizotte has signed a three-year deal, and Jack St. Ivany received a minimum contract for three seasons. This shift leaves the organization with a clean slate, allowing them to explore various paths.

Diving into the free-agent market for high-profile players may not be in the cards this summer, as Dubas has indicated a more cautious approach. Instead, trades may serve as a means to enhance the lineup, while the development of young talent over the next year will be essential for a Penguins team that needs to build a solid foundation for the future.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.