Penguins Secure Future with Dewar and Solovyov Contract Extensions

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made headlines with the announcement of contract extensions for forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov, effectively ensuring their presence on the roster for the upcoming seasons. This move comes as a strategic effort by President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas to solidify the team’s lineup ahead of the new campaign.

Connor Dewar, 26, has inked a two-year extension that will keep him with the Penguins through the 2027-28 season. The contract is valued at an average annual rate of $2.25 million, reflecting his significant contributions during the 2025-26 season. Dewar enjoyed a breakout year, achieving personal bests with 14 goals, 16 assists, and a total of 30 points, while also leading all Penguins forwards with a plus-16 rating. His performance was instrumental in the team’s success, particularly on the penalty kill, where he logged the most shorthanded ice time among his teammates.

In the playoffs, Dewar made his mark by scoring two goals in six games, marking his first playoff goals in his career. A native of The Pas, Manitoba, Dewar has accumulated 37 goals and 46 assists across 316 NHL games since being drafted by Minnesota in the third round of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Meanwhile, Ilya Solovyov, 25, has been granted a one-year extension that extends through the 2026-27 season at an average annual value of $850,000. Solovyov showcased his potential last season, registering career highs with eight points, including a goal and seven assists, in 30 games split between the Colorado Avalanche and the Penguins. His versatility on both sides of the defense and his size make him a valuable asset as he aims for a more permanent role on the blueline next season.

The Belarus native also made his playoff debut in 2026, participating in three games for Pittsburgh. Over his short NHL career, Solovyov has tallied 12 points in 45 regular-season games and has been a key contributor in the AHL, where he has recorded 69 points in 232 games.

As the Penguins look ahead, they still face decisions regarding other impending unrestricted free agents, including star forward Evgeni Malkin. Malkin’s camp is expected to reach out this week to discuss the future of the franchise’s cornerstone player.

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