Penguins Have a Lot to Address This Summer

When Kyle Dubas was hired as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins in June 2023, it was clear that he would be tasked with ushering the Penguins through their imminent rebuild. But with Sidney Crosby and the rest of the core still in place, Dubas has been forced to retool over the past few seasons rather than build the roster from scratch. So far, he has made enough right decisions to put the team in a position for success, but there is still a lot of work to do. 

Penguins Will Look for an Impact Player

This season, the Penguins returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Their first-round loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games made it clear they are not ready to be serious contenders. They have a long way to go before they match teams like the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens and the Colorado Avalanche, who are still in the postseason.

A big reason why teams like the Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres have found success this season is that they are young, fast and can play well in all three zones. Ben Kindel, 19, was a nice surprise this season. The Penguins drafted him 11th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, and he played 77 games in Pittsburgh this season, scoring 17 goals and 35 points. His vision and playmaking abilities far surpass his years.

Dubas, who has been on a mission to make the team younger since he arrived, would love to have six more players like Kindel in his lineup, but he would settle for one who could make an impact right now. He has collected assets and draft capital, and he has plenty of cap space, so he might look to add a big name to the roster this summer. 

Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson will be a restricted free agent this summer. His patience, quick release and playmaking abilities make him the perfect addition to the Penguins. He is good in all three zones, and at 26 years old, he would bring experience and youth to the lineup. 

Dubas Needs to Strengthen the Blue Line

Dubas also needs to address the team’s defense, and Olen Zellweger is another restricted free agent he should consider. Zellweger played in 76 regular-season games with the Anaheim Ducks this season, scoring seven goals and 15 assists. He is a good skater with a good release, and at 22 years old, is just entering his prime. Kris Letang struggled through large parts of this season and is finally starting to show his age, while Erik Karlsson will be entering the final year of his contract next season. Zellweger would be a good step toward adding youth to this group.

The Penguins may also get some blue line help from within their organization. Defenseman Harrison Brunicke will push for a roster spot next season. After his nine-game tryout this season, he returned to junior, where he played 24 regular-season games with the Kamloops Blazers, scoring two goals and 24 points. His skating ability and puck control make him a dangerous threat. He is also good at using his 6-foot-3 frame to win puck battles. His game is still developing, but he could have a permanent spot on Pittsburgh’s blue line in the near future. 

Dubas Needs a Successful Offseason

Dubas is the reason the Penguins’ rebuild is ahead of schedule. He has stayed true to his original plan, and it’s working. He has a good grasp of where the organization stands and where it is headed. He needs to strengthen the blue line this offseason and add at least one forward who can make an impact now. He has some important decisions to make this summer, but he has proven that he is the right one for the job.