NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks - Source: Imagn — 5 Pittsburgh Penguins players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after another playoff miss ft. Erik Karlsson - Source: Imagn

5 Pittsburgh Penguins players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after another playoff miss ft. Erik Karlsson

Modified Jun 10, 2025 18:07 GMT

The Pittsburgh Penguins are at a crossroads. The sun is setting on the Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin era. As such, the Pens are under enormous pressure to make one final run before Crosby and Malkin head into NHL legend status.

While the Penguins have over $24 million in cap space, some roadblocks are keeping the team from making savvy decisions. These obstacles could potentially derail the Penguins’ chances of making it back to the postseason before heading into a full-blown rebuild.

So, here’s a look at five Pittsburgh Penguins players and personnel detrimental to the team’s roster retool this offseason.

5 Pittsburgh Penguins players and personnel detrimental to retool roster after another playoff miss

#5 Tristan Jarry/Alex Nedeljkovic

Tristan Jarry's cap hit could become a serious issue for the Pens - Source: Imagn

The Pittsburgh Penguins' goaltending core was profoundly ineffective last season. While Alex Nedlejkovic made history by scoring a goal, it wasn’t nearly enough to offset his lackluster performance.

As for Tristan Jarry, his $5.38 million cap hit is an albatross on the team. He’s signed through 2028 and does not look anywhere near an NHL-caliber starting goaltender.

This situation has likely tied Penguins GM Kyle Dubas’ hands as he cannot afford to splurge on a bona fide number-one goalie and have a $5 million backup. The club will need to figure out the current goaltending issue before potentially acquiring a goalie who could be a permanent solution.

#4 Team ownership

The Pittsburgh Penguins' owners, The Fenway Group, along with virtually every executive in the organization, are in denial about rebuilding the team, as Josh Yohe noted in The Athletic.

The public-facing sentiment is a “retool” or “rework” of the team’s roster. However, this past season’s trade deadline fire sale was a clear indication that the team is rebuilding. But as long as Crosby is on the team, “rebuild” is nothing more than a four-letter word.

Until the club’s ownership acknowledges that a teardown and rebuild are needed, the Penguins’ decisions will be guided by the hope of tinkering just enough to give Crosby a legitimate supporting cast.

#3 Kris Letang

Kris Letang's contract might get in the way of the Penguins' rebuild - Source: Imagn

Kris Letang has been a good soldier for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s battled through health issues and has maintained a solid level of play even into his late 30s.

But he’s signed through his age-40 season at a cap hit of $6.1 million. Plus, his no-movement clause and partial no-trade clause make him quite challenging to move if or when the Penguins acknowledge the rebuild.

The likeliest outcome is that Letang runs out his contract in Steel City. But one has to wonder at what point the contract will become an albatross, as well.

#2 Kyle Dubas

There’s no denying Kyle Dubas is one of the most creative and talented NHL executives today. He engineered the Erik Karlsson trade even when the Pittsburgh Penguins were short on cap space.

He’s also found to keep the team from falling completely apart while restocking draft picks and prospects.

But this upcoming season will be Dubas’ most challenging. If he can’t figure out a way to retool the team while Crosby and Malkin are still together, the Penguins’ demise could be a slow burn leading to plenty of pain.

#1 Erik Karlsson

Erik Karlsson's contract is virtually immovable for Pittsburgh - Source: Imagn

The love affair between Erik Karlsson and the Pittsburgh Penguins has run its course. Karlsson is no longer a fit for the team, while his contract is an anchor keeping the franchise from making more substantial moves this offseason.

Karlsson, while still a great player at 35, has an immovable contract. His $10 million cap hit could be holding the Penguins back from making crucial additions as part of a retool this summer.

The good news is that Karlsson is on the books for just two more seasons.

About the author

Nestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor’s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.

Nestor credits the Leafs’ playoff runs in the early '90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.

Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can't for stories.

When he is not writing about Canada’s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.

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