The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2025-26 season came to a bitter end following a first-round exit in six at the hands of their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. With the championship window for the aging core closing, management faces a massive workload with 16 players hitting unrestricted free agency.
Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2026 UFA Picture
1. Kevin Hayes (C | $7,142,857 AAV): At 34 years old and carrying the highest cap hit on this list, Hayes is a low priority for retention. Unless he accepts a massive pay cut, his salary would be better spent to inject younger speed into the lineup.
2. Evgeni Malkin (C | $6,100,000 AAV): A franchise icon, Malkin remains a high priority for a “legacy” contract. While his production is dipping, he should be retained on a short-term, lower-cost deal to ensure he retires a Penguin.
3. Stuart Skinner (G | $2,600,000 AAV): As a 27-year-old starting goaltender with a manageable previous cap hit, Skinner would’ve been the highest priority on the list. His performance in both the regular season and the playoffs warranted an extension. However, between Murashov and Silovs, Pittsburgh can afford to let Skinner walk in free agency.
4. Connor Clifton (D | $3,333,333 AAV): A steady right-shot defender, Clifton is a moderate priority. His physicality is useful, but the team should be wary of overpaying for a bottom-four defenseman during a rebuild.
5. Anthony Mantha (RW/L | $2,500,000 AAV): Mantha offers size but often struggles with consistency. He is a medium priority, as the Penguins need more reliable secondary scoring than what he has provided at this price point.
6. Noel Acciari (C | $2,000,000 AAV): Known for his grit and shot-blocking, Acciari is a moderate priority for the fourth line. At 34, his health is a concern, but his playoff-style play is still valuable for veteran leadership.
7. Connor Dewar (C | $1,100,000 AAV): A young, versatile forward who provides energy. He is a high priority because he is cost-controlled and fits the profile of the faster team Pittsburgh needs to become.
8. Rafael Harvey-Pinard (LW/L | $775,000 AAV): An absolute workhorse at the league minimum. He is a high-priority retention target because he provides incredible value for his cap hit in a bottom-six role.
9. Bokondji Imama (LW/L | $775,000 AAV): A specialized physical player. He is a low priority and should only be brought back if the team fails to find a more versatile “tough” player in free agency.
10. Joona Koppanen (LW/L | $775,000 AAV): A depth forward who saw limited minutes. He is a low priority and is likely to be replaced by a prospect from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton pipeline.
11. Ryan Shea (D | $900,000 AAV): A 29-year-old depth defender. He is a low priority, as his role can be easily filled by a younger player with more offensive upside.
12. Sebastian Aho (D | $775,000 AAV): A veteran left-shot defenseman at the league minimum. He is a moderate priority purely as a reliable seventh defenseman who knows the system.
13. Alexander Alexeyev (D | $775,000 AAV): Still relatively young at 26 for a defenseman. He is a high priority among the depth defenders because of his size and potential for further development.
14. Ilya Solovyov (D | $775,000 AAV): A 25-year-old depth piece. He is a moderate priority for a two-way contract to maintain the organization’s defensive depth.
15. Taylor Gauthier (G | $775,000 AAV): A young goaltender who provides AHL stability. He is a moderate priority to retain on a league-minimum deal to protect the team’s goaltending pipeline.
16. Filip Larsson (G | $775,000 AAV): Similar to Gauthier, he provides necessary depth in the crease. He is a moderate priority to ensure there is healthy competition for the backup role behind Skinner.
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With so many decisions on the table, this offseason could mark a turning point for Pittsburgh, balancing respect for its veteran core while beginning the shift toward a younger, faster roster.
