The Pittsburgh Penguins 2025-26 season will be make-or-break for these three players as Kyle Dubas has created an intense roster battle.
In this video, we break down the three Penguins players with the most to gain or lose:
聾 Justin Brazeau – The 27-year-old power forward is in his last chance to establish himself as an NHL regular after a disappointing stint with Minnesota following his breakout season in Boston.
⭐ Rutger McGroarty – The highly-touted prospect acquired from Winnipeg needs to prove he belongs in the NHL permanently and justify the trade that sent Brayden Yager the other way.
🏒 Thomas Novak – After being essentially called out by Nashville’s GM Barry Trotz, the center must bounce back from a disastrous 2024-25 campaign or risk becoming a journeyman.
With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang likely in their final seasons, the Penguins are balancing a rebuild with staying competitive. This creates unprecedented opportunities for younger players to step up.
We’ll analyze each player’s situation, their competition for roster spots, and what they need to do in training camp to secure their futures. Plus, we’ll look at how Kyle Dubas’ offseason moves have set up this compelling roster battle.
Don’t miss our breakdown of the most crucial storylines heading into Penguins training camp!
