ST. PAUL, MN – MARCH 09: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) talks with center Philip Tomasino (53) and center Tommy Novak (18) during first period of an NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota Wild on March 9th, 2025, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire)
Opportunity will knock for numerous Pittsburgh Penguins this season.
For some, the chance will be to ensconce themselves in the NHL firmly. For others, it will be their chance for their first full season in the big show. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has set up a training camp that might resemble a battle royal with as many as 20 forwards who have been or could be in the NHL.
The six right-side defensemen are also a glut that presents a battle and opportunity. Perhaps those words are the same in this case.
However, there are a few players with the most to prove and the most to lose.
3 Penguins with Biggest Opportunities
3. Thomas Novak
Novak got a good boot from general manager Barry Trotz on his way out the door in Nashville after the Penguins traded Michael Bunting to Nashville for Novak and defenseman Luke Schenn (swap of draft picks included). Trotz essentially called out Novak for not being able to fill the middle-six role he wanted and losing the battle to opponents.
Novak only played two games for the Penguins, but his NHL career seems tenuous after cratering from 45 points (18-27-45) in 2023-24 to just 22 points in 54 games last season.
Novak does not play a physical game, registering just 24 hits in his four-year career. The crowded Penguins’ forwards group means there will be plenty of options for coach Dan Muse if Novak doesn’t produce.
Failing to earn a prominent role with a team not expected to be in contention for a playoff spot is a quick way to become a journeyman.
2. Rutger McGroarty
Nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.
As noted multiple times this summer, the Penguins roster has more than 13 NHL forwards, and McGroarty is waiver-exempt. In fact, he’s not listed among the 13 NHL forwards on PuckPedia.com.
It’s time for McGroarty to claim his spot, and he performed very well in five games near the end of last season, before he dutifully blocked a shot, suffering a leg injury in the process.
It is not now or never for McGroarty–far from it–but it is a great opportunity to establish himself as a young player worthy of the biggest responsibilities. The converse of making the team is the cacophony of howls from Winnipeg fans, “Where is Rutger?” There would be chatter from national media over the high-profile trade, increased ponderances from some Penguins fans who will begin to watch Brayden Yager’s progress with Winnipeg closely, and it will overall be a bad look for a team ready to go young.
McGroarty will begin to define his career as a heavy third-line winger with some offense, or a higher-scoring winger who increases his value to special levels by being a solid two-way player with physicality and offense.
There is absolutely no doubt that McGroarty will play in the NHL this season, but sticking around will be a matter of thriving rather than surviving. He has little to lose in terms of tangible or long-term effects, but the opportunity is enormous, nonetheless.
1. Justin Brazeau
Nothing less than his NHL career hangs in the balance. Brazeau is 27 and finally had his breakout last season, scoring 10 goals and 10 assists in 57 games with the Boston Bruins. The 6-foot-6, 227-pounder isn’t a heavy banger type winger, but will get in the corners and to the front of the net, forcing defenders to fight for the space.
However, Brazeau had only two points in 19 games with the Minnesota Wild after Boston traded him. If he doesn’t stick in the Penguins’ lineup, he could find himself as one of those many players sent to the AHL, bouncing around looking for a new opportunity each summer.
Brazeau could slot anywhere from the second line with Evgeni Malkin to the fourth line. He could be a grinder or given some opportunity on the second power play unit. His Penguins chance is wide open, but he must first establish himself in training camp and the preseason, or he could find himself having an uncomfortable meeting in the coach’s office.
Tags: Pittsburgh Penguins rutger mcgroarty thomas novak
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