Penguins Preparing for an Aggressive Shakeup as Malkin's Future Hangs in the Balance
Photo credit: Edit from Sportsnet
This summer could be a quiet one for the Penguins when compared to what could be in store for the 2026 one, as Kyle Dubas is ready to shake everything up.
Mike Sullivan is no longer the Pittsburgh Penguins' head coach, and the team is currently searching for a replacement. Team captain Sidney Crosby is also heading to Sweden to compete in the World Championship.
That's a lot news for a team that hasn't made the playoffs this season. With the offseason having been ongoing for nearly three weeks, big news is definitely occurring for the Penguins, and even more change can be anticipated over the course of the next two summers, namely in 2026.
"But I've always had the sense from Dubas that the Penguins intend to turn aggressive in the summer of 2026."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
When asked when an eventual rebuild would take place, NHL insider Josh Yohe brought some interesting information.
While there has not been a great deal of discussion, Yohe suggested that Penguins GM Kyle Dubas appears to be eyeing the summer of 2026 for a more extreme organizational overhaul.
The Penguins could have as much as $50 million in cap space in 2026
By then, veteran center Evgeni Malkin will be retiring, and some of the largest contracts will have run out, freeing up over $50 million in cap space.
That figure might fluctuate depending on upcoming signings or trades, but the Penguins should be well-positioned financially to be active.
Also, prospects such as Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen will then have had a full year of development and experience under their belts. Players such as Harrison Brunicke and Sergei Murashov are also likely to be NHL-ready by that point.
"Malkin probably will retire after next season. Other contracts come off the books. As things stand, they'll have more than $50 million in cap space by next summer. That number figures to decrease between then and now, but still, they're going to have big money to spend by the summer of 2026. Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen will have a full year under their belts. Harrison Brunicke and Sergei Murashov should be NHL players by that point. Plus, you'll have potentially multiple first-round picks from the 2025 and 2026 drafts who could be NHL-ready."
- Josh Yohe
- Josh Yohe
Tossing in potential first-round draft picks from the 2025 and 2026 drafts, the team may have a new core ready to roll.
The future seasons might see a turning point, with an eventual transition from the current veteran-laden roster to a younger, rebuilt team focused on future contention.
| POLL | ||
MAI 8 | 183 ANSWERS Penguins Preparing for an Aggressive Shakeup as Malkin's Future Hangs in the Balance Will the Penguins have a completely different team by the start of the 2026 season? | ||
| Yes | 137 | 74.9 % |
| No | 46 | 25.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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