The Pittsburgh Penguins open their 2025-26 season on the road against the New York Rangers. Videos circulating Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang who apply the work while preparing for the new season. The low season brought changes behind the couch and on the Roster – then Muse is the new head coach and the management brought in some experienced players. Although the penguins seem to have improved somewhat on paper, it is not a drastic leap to be a competition.
The expectations remain modest for the team. For certain players, however, there will be high expectations to have a bounce-back season or to prove that they can be future leaders of the team. For veterans such as Crosby and Bryan Rust, expectations are simple – the good example and guide the young players. For Rutger McGroarty, the spotlight will be on him to prove that they have made the right decision to acquire him from the Winnipeg jets. What are the season around the corner, what are the expectations for every player in their forward group?
Rutger McGroarty
Plays in the president 2024-25 against other young prospects and what NHL talent of Bottom-Six, McGroarty looked good. As the regular season started, as with every young player who goes into the competition, the reality struck him. It was clear that his skates and play were not ready for NHL. After three games, he was sent to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (WBS) in the American Hockey League (AHL), a seasonal stint that saw his game improve considerably.
It was clear that he needed a little time to adapt to the faster pace, and he did that, with a mentality to always work hard. With the penguins far from the play -offs, he was called back to end the season in Pittsburgh. In his second match, he registered his first two points (a goal and an assist). He closed the season with three points in eight games, but those points came in his last five games.
Related: Penguins of the Future: Rutger McGroarty who starts to realize the hype
Although he may not be a high scoring forward in his second season, he has the chance to play with Crosby for a lifetime. He has been Work This outside the season to prepare and be ready for the possibility of earning a full -time selection.
He is a two -way weather and shone at the position of his career. Are NHL Edge -numbers Show how good his game is. McGroarty only played 36.4% of his services in the defensive zone and 45.8% of his services in the attacking zone. For comparison, his statistics are in the 91st and 92nd percentiles respectively. This is exactly what Muse will see from him to start the season.
Bryan Rest
There is a lot of talk about the future of peace with the penguins. Rumors around him have been used to in recent months. However, there is a good chance that he will stay with the penguins, at least to the trade theadline, and this season he will be a large piece of the Penguins schedule.
The beginning of last season did not go as planned. Rest sustained a few injuries early, so it took him some time to get going when he returned. However, he found his groove after he had left the 4 Nations Face-Off selection of Team USA. He went on an incredible run and ended the season with a career-high 31 goals and 65 points. As the season approaches, the penguins will be strongly confident High work ethics And the ability to be a plague on the pre -check. Apart from just forcing sales, Rust’s Hockey -IQ and speed are a deadly combination.
Sidney Crosby
Crosby is approaching the end of his career and still produces at an incredible pace, so there is only one thing that will be expected of him this season. During his career he was one of the best captains in the competition. Not only that, but he has also been one of the best mentors in generations of teammates. He is a very familiar player, not only in the organization of the Penguins, but also to Hockey Canada. He has been a “security blanket” and was Very praised by Rick Tocchet Last season, which compared Crosby’s leadership characteristics with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier.
While a new generation of penguins starts their career, they have a leader who does not lead them astray. For McGroarty and Ville KoiVunen it will have a mentor like Crosby do wonders for their career. They may never be as good as their captain, but he will show them what is needed to become an elite, which will benefit the team in the long term.
Philip Tomasino
Philip Tomasino was taken over by the Penguins on November 25, 2024 for a fourth round pick in 2027, and he made quite an impression last season. He scored 11 goals and 23 points in 50 games and was signed for a one -year contract worth $ 1.75 million. This will be a huge season for the 24-year-old attacker.
One thing that the penguins will expect from him is to be a more consistent scorer instead of just a depth player. He proved that he can be consistent in the American Hockey League, but he has not yet been able to find that target score-touch in the NHL. Pointing signs to him who find that touch, but this season will show whether he needs what is needed to take that next step.
Evgeni Malkin
This could be the last season that we see Malkin with the penguins. The uncertainty surrounding his NHL career has focused on his legacy in a penguins sweater. In the last season of a four -year contract there will not be much pressure on him. He stays in the top six. If his line sizes can be consistent and he can find a way to stay healthy, Malkin could reach 60+ points for the 14th time in his career. If he can, he will surpass 1,400 points – he is currently with 1,346.
Rickard Rakell
If Rickard Rakell stays at the Penguins via the training camp and the start of the regular season 2025-26, Rakell could be closed on the first or second line, depending on how McGroarty looks and fits. After last season it would not be surprising to see him 30+ goals and 70+ points again.
Ville KoiVunen
Koivunen got his first taste of the NHL at the end of last season, and he quickly impressed. He was a relief while he buzzed over the ice. Playing your first games in the NHL naturally brings nerves, but he seemed to endure them well because he produced points in all except two games. He also showed signs of a solid play wing with seven assists in eight games.
Although that was just a taste of what he can do, I think the Penguins will set him up early for success, whether it will come back with Crosby and peace or throw him on the second line. Anyway, they will want to see him develop into the player they believe he can be. When asked what he liked last season, assistant -well manager Jason Spezza explained KoiVunen’s hockey feeling “Would be the biggest thing.” He was right. His knowledge of being true and where his line sizes would be, was incredible for a rookie ahead.
Tommy Novak
The most important care about Tommy Novak is his inability to stay healthy. After being taken over by the Penguins, he only played two games After having sustained injury in the lower body. Although they didn’t see much of him, he was a responsible player for the Nashville predators before being traded.
In his career, the faceoff percentage of Novak is not great, like him 162nd under active NHL players With a winning percentage of 43.23%. While he enters the second year of a three -year contract of $ 10.5 million, the penguins that Novak need and expect that number. At the age of 28 he does not have much time left to prove that he needs what is needed to help this team succeed, so he will have to find that next acceleration and come to the score sheet more often.
Anthony scared
Anthony Mantha, from the knee operation, gets the chance to prove his value to the penguins. In an interview with team reporter Michelle Crechiolo, general manager Kyle Dubas said he is looking for Mantha To help the team return to where they want to be. In what way can he help? Depth target score and a little physicality.
In the past seasons, the penguins have not had a depth score and they have trusted Crosby, Malkin, Rest and Rakell to wear the load. Although it has not happened often, Mantha is a 20+ goal scorer in four of the 10 seasons he played. On 6-foot-5 he brings the size to help the presence of the team create rebound opportunities for himself and his linemates.
He may also see some time on the second Power-Play unit to create more opportunities and make things even more difficult for the opposition. What will be the most challenging is his consistency and staying healthy. If they can keep him healthy and consistent, he will turn out to be a huge pick-up for a cheap one-year-old deal of $ 2.5 million.
Blake Lizotte
Although Blake Lizotte people will not surprise skills or dazzling plays, he will surprise them are speed and ruthlessness On the front check and the backcheck. His speed, crowds and willingness to chase pucks on the pre -check are great in creating sales to his advantage. On the pre -check, he does not shy away from finishing his hit and remains engaged every second of his service.
The Penguins will see him bring that high-tempo game back this season. It not only helps to keep up with the pace, but he also takes the defender off the opposition, making it much easier for his teammates. This will be beneficial in narrow games late.
Kevin Hayes
At the age of 33, Kevin Hayes will be a different experienced presence for the Penguins. Although he produced a bit last season and scored 13 goals and 23 points in 64 games, there is no real expectation for him to score a ton. Instead, they will expect that he will bring a steady two -way game with the flexibility of playing the center or on the wing. His versatility will be enormous when adjustments to the line -up are needed due to injuries. With limited minutes they will look for him to bring possession into the attacking zone and to create opportunities when possible.
Justin Brazeau
Known for his physical game, the coaching staff of the Penguins will want more from Justin Brazeau this season. Between the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild last season, he was Awarded 123 hits in 76 games. That is one thing that Dubas wants more from his team.
The physicality of Brazeau will be seen in two main areas of the ice: along the boards and for the net. On 6-foot-6 he is a pain for goalkeepers to look around and difficult for defenders to move. He is the perfect player for a Bottom-Six role, where he will land in the line-up.
Although many of the attackers on this list are not part of the plans of the Penguins for the future, this season will be a good indicator if they go in the right direction. If you have players on the Roster to compare with others, Dubas will give a good idea of what exactly he needs to get his team back in the play -offs. The 2025-26 season will be a test to see if they are a just as competitive team as he hopes they are.
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