The offseason arrived earlier than the Pittsburgh Penguins hoped, but the work is just beginning. As the team shifts focus to what's next, here's an early look at the key storylines and decisions that will shape their summer—from the AHL playoffs to the draft board and the future of a franchise icon.
Prospect Watch: The Calder Cup Connection
While the NHL season is over for Pittsburgh, there's still plenty of drama unfolding in Wilkes-Barre. The AHL playoffs offer a golden opportunity for the organization to evaluate several young players who could make the jump to the big club next season. Keep an eye on Sergei Murashov, Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, Avery Hayes, and Harrison Brunicke—all of whom have a real shot at cracking the NHL roster out of training camp. The Penguins are hoping for a deep playoff run from Wilkes-Barre, not just for the trophy, but to see which prospects rise to the occasion. Remember, the Pens wouldn't have traded for Arturs Silovs without his standout 2025 Calder Cup run. This year, their scouting focus might be internal, using playoff intensity to project who's ready for the next level.
Draft Day Shuffle: Where Will Pittsburgh Pick?
As it stands, the Penguins hold the 22nd overall pick in the upcoming draft. But that number isn't set in stone. The final draft order is determined by regular season performance, not playoff results—except for teams that reach the Conference Finals or win the Stanley Cup, who get bumped to the end of the line. Here's the math: Pittsburgh's pick could move up to 20th if the Flyers beat Carolina in the next round AND Vegas fails to advance to the Western Conference Final. If only one of those happens, the pick slides to 21st. If neither occurs, it stays at 22nd. As of now, Vegas leads Utah 3-2 and Carolina is a heavy favorite, so a move up seems unlikely—but in hockey, you never know. Sit back and watch how it plays out.
The Malkin Question: Patience or Panic?
This one could take hours, days, weeks, or even months to resolve. Evgeni Malkin has been clear about his desire to return to the Penguins for the 2026-27 season. General Manager Kyle Dubas, however, is taking his time. Malkin will turn 40 this summer, and the franchise faces a delicate balancing act: honoring a legend while planning for the future. Whether this ends in a quick handshake or a drawn-out negotiation, it's the story that will define Pittsburgh's offseason.