The Pittsburgh Penguins have locked in two key players for the foreseeable future, announcing contract extensions for forward Connor Dewar and defenseman Ilya Solovyov on Thursday. Both were set to become free agents, but the team moved quickly to secure their services, signaling a commitment to building a competitive roster for the seasons ahead.
Connor Dewar, who just turned 26, is coming off a breakout season that saw him reach new heights in his NHL career. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound forward posted career highs across the board with 14 goals, 16 assists, and 30 points, while also leading all Penguins forwards with a plus-16 rating. His performance didn't stop there—Dewar added two goals in six playoff games, marking the first Stanley Cup Playoff goals of his career.
Beyond the scoring sheet, Dewar proved to be a workhorse on the penalty kill, leading the team with 209:23 shorthanded ice time and averaging 2:41 per game. His efforts helped the Penguins boast the league's sixth-best penalty kill at 81.4%. He was also one of just six Penguins to score a shorthanded goal and led all forwards with 144 hits, ranking third overall on the team. His new two-year contract extension runs through the 2027-28 season and carries an average annual value of $2.25 million.
On the blue line, Ilya Solovyov has earned himself a one-year extension worth $850,000 annually, keeping him in Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season. The 25-year-old defenseman has shown steady growth and provides depth on the back end, fitting well into the Penguins' system.
Dewar's journey to this career year has been a steady climb. Over five NHL seasons split between Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Minnesota (2021-2026), he has played 316 games, tallying 37 goals, 46 assists, and 83 points. Before turning pro, he honed his skills over four seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Everett Silvertips from 2015 to 2019.
With these signings, the Penguins are clearly focused on retaining the gritty, two-way talent that helped them make a playoff push. For fans, it's a sign that the team is building around a core of hard-working players who can contribute in all situations—whether that's killing penalties, throwing hits, or scoring clutch goals.