The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff run ended abruptly in the first round against the Philadelphia Flyers, who exposed the Penguins’ age and lack of speed over six games. Despite expectations of a rebuilding year focused on acquiring prospect Gavin McKenna, Pittsburgh surprisingly outperformed many predictions.
However, significant questions loom over the team’s direction under General Manager Kyle Dubas. Previous leadership was constrained by ownership’s desire to remain competitive with veterans Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin. Even with Crosby signing an extension and expressing a desire to stay, trade speculation was rife.
Malkin, a pending unrestricted free agent, also became a subject of rumors, with contract negotiations paused until after the season. Dubas has been actively retooling the roster to maintain competitiveness, but it’s clear the team is still in a rebuilding phase. The focus now shifts back to the ongoing speculation surrounding Malkin and Crosby.
Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press Media discussed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster with TSN Radio in Montreal, addressing the potential for changes in the upcoming season.
When asked how the Penguins’ lineup might look in October, Biringer suggested significant changes are likely. “I think it’s going to be different. I think they have a lot of decisions to make. Kyle Dubas has a lot of decisions to make,” he stated. He highlighted the uncertainty around Crosby’s future, including questions about his willingness to continue playing, potential extensions, or even a trade.
Regarding Malkin, Biringer questioned whether he would be brought back and what the terms of a potential new contract might be. He also expressed skepticism about Kris Letang’s current form, suggesting it might be the end of an era for the Penguins’ core, implying the team will undergo a noticeable transformation.
Biringer also pointed to the performance of players like Connor Dewar and Anthony Mantha, suggesting their career seasons might not be repeatable. He emphasized the numerous contracts the team needs to manage and the uncertainty surrounding the goaltending situation, questioning who will be in net.
“There are a lot of question marks for Kyle Dubas. This is going to be a different-looking Penguins team next season,” Biringer concluded.
