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Penguins Set to Be Armed With Unheard-Of Amount of Cap Space Next Summer as Rebuild Looms
Photo credit: Daily Faceoff
A major piece of the Pittsburgh Penguins' rebuilding process will soon be upon them, as general manager Kyle Dubas will have loads of salary cap space to work with next summer.
Most projections have the Pittsburgh Penguins missing the postseason again this year for what would be the 4th season in a row. They're already in the middle of the longest postseason drought in the NHL careers of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, and this year isn't expected to be much different.
But there is a silver lining in all of this.
Why Pittsburgh Held Onto Rust, Rakell, and Karlsson Despite Rebuild Talk
GM Kyle Dubas was not able to find a trade partner for forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. He also wasn't able to unload defenseman Erik Karlsson despite rumors that he'd be willing to retain some of his $11.5 million AAV (average annual value), a considerable number that likely scared off potential suitors.
Perhaps Dubas is banking on trying to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste in the tube and keep things intact for the faint possibility of challenging for a Wild Card spot.
How the Penguins' $53 Million Flexibility Could Shape 2026 Free Agency
Per analyst Mark Easson of NHL Trade Rumors, the Penguins will be armed with nearly $53 million in salary cap space next summer.
The Penguins are $13 million under the cap, and project to have $53 million in cap space next offseason. Trading Rust, Rakell, or Karlsson (even with retaining) would give them even more room. There isn't much interest in Kevin Hayes, Noel Acciari, and Danton Heinen, who account for $8 million and will be free agents after the season.
The Penguins will also be seeing more young players like Rutger McGroarty begin to have a larger role with the team, another essential part of their rebuild.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 6 | 29 ANSWERS Penguins Set to Be Armed With Unheard-Of Amount of Cap Space Next Summer as Rebuild Looms Will the Penguins make a major free agency addition next summer with their projected $53 million in space? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 82.8 % |
| No | 5 | 17.2 % |
| List of polls | ||