The Pittsburgh Penguins are not following a conventional path to whatever destination or fate awaits them this season. Dominate and lose. Get pummeled and win. Hold onto players assumed to be trade bait. And get resurgent performances from the untradeable.
This week’s Penguins Insider column isn’t normal, either. However, we are changing the name to Penguins Room, at least for this week.
There are a few eyebrow-raising developments that are changing the calculus of the team, and potentially the thinking of general manager Kyle Dubas, including the emergence of Tommy Novak on Sidney Crosby’s left wing, which worked better than anyone predicted.
However, Rickard Rakell is now active, which could cause sweeping changes in the lineup.
We spoke with Novak. We also spoke with several players in the room this week before the Tristan Jarry trade (and before they were all stuck in traffic). It was our version of speed dating.
Also in this week’s Insider column, who is watching the standings and why, and shootout secrets, including a move the Penguins shooters aren’t using.
Can confirm at least one player was caught in the mess. As he went running full speed past me in the hallway, full suit
“Just getting a workout in,” he yelled.
— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) December 11, 2025
I didn’t name the player Thursday night who was running full speed to the locker room mentioned in my somewhat viral tweet, but I loved your guesses. Some of you really have a sense for these guys and their personalities. Many of your guesses were quick and accurate. So, for subscribers, we’ll go ahead and reveal that player, too.
Tags: Bryan Rust penguins shootouts Pittsburgh Penguins tommy novak
Categorized: Penguins Locker Room PHN+