Penguins Aren't Bad Enough Yet

The Pittsburgh Penguins' roster isn't yet where they might want it to be with the future in mind.

Apr 8, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates his 200th career NHL goal with the Penguins bench against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the few teams expected to be at the bottom of the standings come the end of the 2025-26 season with visions of Gavin McKenna in mind. It wasn’t deep into the offseason when it was widely agreed that the Penguins aren’t really trying to get better.

The Penguins aren’t openly tanking for the best chance of selecting McKenna first overall at the 2026 NHL Draft, but they haven’t done much to improve the lineup. At the same time, however, they haven’t done enough to be among the bottom few teams in the league.

Trade rumors have spread around Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, but they are all still on the roster. Those three around, plus likely more great production from Sidney Crosby, and the Penguins don’t look like a bottom five team.

President and general manager Kyle Dubas will have to shed more talent like Karlsson, Rust or Rakell. The Penguins are just too good with them on the roster. By no means are they a playoff team, but not bad enough to put a ton of faith into the draft lottery.

As it stands, the Penguins current top six forward feature Crosby, Rust, Rakell, a final season of Evgeni Malkin and rookies like Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty. Each of those names can produce and could lead the Penguins to quite a few victories.

What are your expectations for Sidney Crosby and the @penguins in 2025-26? 🐧

Read more from @NHLdotcom ➡️ https://t.co/5UNVDJOXDf pic.twitter.com/sCFretGZFj

— NHL (@NHL) July 28, 2025

A player like Anthony Mantha signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh and is looking to bounce back after just 13 games in 2024-25.

The right side of the Penguins defense feature Karlsson and fellow veteran blue liners in Kris Letang and Matt Dumba. Tristan Jarry appears to be returning for another season in Pittsburgh and he’ll be looking for a better campaign.

The Penguins are clearly in a rebuild stage, but the current construction of lineup won’t collect enough losses to make noise at the draft lottery. That’s the real target for the Penguins. Dubas plans on keeping a close eye on McKenna at Penn State with the hopes of watching him be the centerpiece of the Penguins organization for years to come.

Make sure you bookmark Breakaway On SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

• Jaromir Jagr Preparing for 38th Professional Season
• Jets Sign Defenseman to Extension
• Maple Leafs Haven't Done Enough to Replace Mitch Marner
• Canadiens Center Ready to Carve His Own Path
• Top Prospect Could Force Canadiens Hand at Training Camp