Penguins season preview: Veteran core remains foundation

The 2026-27 NHL regular season begins Sept. 29. Leading up to the season opener, NHL.com is identifying six things to watch for each team. Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Last season: 41-25-16, second in Metropolitan Division; lost in Eastern Conference First Round 

Coach: Dan Muse (second season)

Biggest challenge 

Continuing to walk the tightrope between contention and rebuilding. The Penguins are still headlined by forwards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. Last season, that core led Pittsburgh back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a three-year absence. But with Malkin at 40 years old, Crosby and Letang at 39 and Karlsson at 36, there’s an understandable focus on the future. Those four expect to win now, and at the highest level. And Crosby, Malkin and Karlsson each have just one season left on their respective contracts. The Penguins are trying to put them in position for another playoff run, but not at the expense of young players, like forwards Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen, and defenseman Harrison Brunicke, getting enough time to develop into what Pittsburgh will need for seasons to come.

How they make the playoffs 

Crosby has to keep being Crosby. It seems simple, but even entering his 22nd season, Crosby drives the Penguins. Their captain led them with 74 points (29 goals, 45 assists) in 68 games last season, extending his NHL record of seasons averaging at least a point per game to 21. The goalies could present an issue even if Crosby’s play doesn’t dip; Arturs Silovs, who has a 3.09 goals-against average and .886 save percentage in four NHL seasons, will probably be the primary starter when the regular season begins. Sergei Murashov, a 22 year old prospect who has played five NHL games but has shined in two seasons with the American Hockey League (2.33 GAA, 0.917 save percentage), is likely to back up Silovs. If Silovs improves, or Murashov emerges as the true No. 1, the Penguins can defy expectations for a second straight season.

Most intriguing addition 

Andrei Kuzmenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract to likely serve as a direct replacement for forward Anthony Mantha, who signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract ($4.75 average annual value) with the New Jersey Devils after leading the Penguins with 33 goals last season. Kuzmenko, a 30 year old forward, scored 61 goals in his first two NHL seasons, but hasn’t reached the same heights since. He had 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 52 games for the Los Angeles Kings last season before having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee in February. Pittsburgh doesn’t necessarily need him to match Mantha’s goal total, but it’ll count on him regaining some of his earlier form to provide offense beyond the usual names.

Biggest potential surprise 

Nicholas Robertson, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract ($3.25 AAV) after being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 1, could have an elevated role if training camp is any indication -- the 25-year-old forward has practiced on a line with Crosby and Rickard Rakell. After having an NHL career-high 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 78 games last season, he could be positioned to take a substantial step with the Penguins possibly moving Bryan Rust off his normal spot on the top line to the third for more forward depth.

Ready to contribute 

Koivunen (6-foot, 186 pounds) could earn a permanent role after signing an eight-year, $32 million contract ($4 million AAV) on Aug. 6. The 23-year-old has yet to fully break out in the NHL with 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in 47 games across two seasons, but has shown promise with 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 97 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. The Penguins are betting on Koivunen arriving as an NHL regular sooner rather than later.

Fantasy sleeper with EDGE stats

Egor Chinakhov, F: He set NHL career highs in points (42 in 72 games), goals (21), assists (21), power-play points (six) and shots on goal (140) with the Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets last season. Chinakhov had a breakout stretch with 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) and 15:37 per game in 43 games for Pittsburgh after he had six points (three goals, three assists) and 10:18 per game in 29 games for Columbus prior to being traded. Per NHL EDGE stats, Chinakhov ranked fifth among forwards in both hardest shot (99.03 mph) and 90-100 mph shot attempts (12) last season, and was also a standout at his position in 80-90 mph shot attempts (77; ninth), average shot speed (65.49; 98th percentile), max skating speed (23.63 mph; 97th percentile), 20-plus mph speed bursts (193; 94th percentile), 22-plus mph bursts (29; 98th percentile), mid-range goals (94th percentile) and long-range shots on goal (29; 96th percentile). Chinakhov, who’s worth prioritizing in the mid-to-late rounds (fantasy average draft position: 130.5), showed great chemistry with Malkin, who was quietly tied with Crosby for the Penguins lead in points per game (1.09). -- Chris Meaney

Projected lineup 

Nick Robertson -- Sidney Crosby -- Rickard Rakell 

Egor Chinakhov -- Tommy Novak -- Evgeni Malkin 

Andrei Kuzmenko -- Ben Kindel -- Bryan Rust 

Filip Hallander -- Hendrix Lapierre -- Justin Brazeau 

Declan Carlile -- Erik Karlsson 

Trevor van Riemsdyk -- Kris Letang 

Samuel Girard -- Kaedan Korczak 

Arturs Silovs 

Sergei Murashov