His contract carries an $8.7 million average annual value through 2026-27, and Pittsburgh should have little difficulty affording another one- or two-year agreement if he wants to continue playing. A one-year extension would make Crosby 39 by the end of the deal, but his production and team-friendly cap hit make his desire to continue\u2014not the financial commitment\u2014the more important question.<\/p>\n
An extension would allow Dubas to continue building around a competitive veteran core while younger players develop. If Crosby decides to retire, it would accelerate almost every difficult conversation: the argument for retaining expensive veterans would weaken, the pressure to collect future assets would grow, and Pittsburgh\u2019s long transition would become much more immediate. <\/p>\n
Crosby\u2019s combination of production and cap value already made him the clear leader among the Penguins\u2019 three best contracts<\/a>. His next decision will matter far more than the financial terms.<\/p>\n 2. Evgeni Malkin<\/p>\n Evgeni Malkin<\/a> signed a one-year, $5.5 million extension after producing 19 goals and 61 points in 56 games. The official Malkin contract announcement<\/a> keeps him in Pittsburgh for a 21st season but does not settle whether it will be his last.<\/p>\n Malkin will turn 40 shortly before training camp, so health and role will be as important as production this season. His move to the wing last season allowed Pittsburgh to experiment with younger centers while keeping one of its most talented offensive players in the top six. That arrangement could extend his career without blocking the middle of the lineup.<\/p>\n Another productive season may lead to one more short contract, while a decline or another injury-heavy year could bring one of the most important careers in franchise history to an end. Malkin\u2019s departure would create cap space and a major offensive opening, but it would also remove a player who was above a point-per-game pace last season.<\/p>\n 3. Erik Karlsson<\/p>\n Erik Karlsson<\/a> enters the final year of his contract after delivering his strongest season with the Penguins. He recorded 15 goals and 66 points in 75 games, earned team MVP honors and drove much of Pittsburgh\u2019s offense from the blue line. His performance demonstrated that he can still be a difference-maker, but his age and cap hit complicate what comes next.<\/p>\n Extending Karlsson would preserve Pittsburgh\u2019s most productive defenseman while prospects such as Harrison Brunicke and Owen Pickering continue developing. Letting him leave would create significant cap flexibility but remove the player who led the Penguins with 51 assists last season. A deadline trade could produce assets, although Pittsburgh would have to accept losing an important part of a potential playoff push.<\/p>\n The decision whether to re-sign Karlsson this summer<\/a> remains unresolved, and this contract year should provide the clearest answer yet about whether he belongs in the next stage of the roster.<\/p>\n 4. Andrei Kuzmenko<\/p>\n Andrei Kuzmenko<\/a> is Pittsburgh\u2019s most obvious short-term performance gamble. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract on July 1 after recording 13 goals and 25 points in 52 games with the Los Angeles Kings last season. The official Kuzmenko signing release<\/a> emphasized his scoring history and ability to create offense around the net.<\/p>\n The Penguins are betting that he can rediscover part of the form that produced 39 goals during his first NHL season with the Vancouver Canucks. A return to the 20-goal range would help replace some of Anthony Mantha\u2019s lost production and give Pittsburgh several options. Kuzmenko could earn an extension, become a valuable deadline rental or simply provide useful offense for one season.<\/p>\n If his production remains near last season\u2019s level, the deal will look more like a temporary roster patch. This season will help determine whether Pittsburgh continues using one-year contracts to search for scoring or pursues a more permanent solution.<\/p>\n 5. Tommy Novak<\/p>\n Tommy Novak<\/a> produced 16 goals and 42 points while appearing in all 82 games last season. His versatility allowed him to move between center and wing, contribute on special teams and fill different positions throughout the lineup.<\/p>\n Novak\u2019s $3.5 million contract expires after the season, creating a difficult value decision. Pittsburgh acquired him with two full seasons of control, but the second one must clarify whether he is a long-term piece.<\/p>\n A repeat of his 42-point season could make Novak worth extending as a flexible middle-six forward. The concern is whether a larger contract would fit while Ben Kindel, Hendrix Lapierre, and other younger centers push for responsibility.<\/p>\n If Pittsburgh falls out of contention, Novak could also become a practical deadline target for teams seeking affordable secondary offense. His future will reveal how aggressively the Penguins intend to create space for their younger forwards.<\/p>\n 6. Justin Brazeau<\/p>\n Justin Brazeau<\/a> gave Pittsburgh strong value during the first season of his two-year, $3 million contract. He recorded 17 goals and 34 points in 64 games, using his size and net-front ability to provide a different element in the middle of the lineup. The official Brazeau contract announcement<\/a> confirmed that his $1.5 million cap hit runs through 2026-27.<\/p>\n Repeating that production would make Brazeau an extension candidate, but Pittsburgh must consider the growing competition around him. Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson, Egor Chinakhov, and several younger forwards are battling for offensive roles, and Brazeau was not a lineup lock during the playoffs.<\/p>\n![\"Sidney](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Sidney-Crosby-Penguins-2-1200x800.jpg\")
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby celebrates with defenseman Erik Karlsson after scoring against the Florida Panthers (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n![\"Justin](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Justin-Brazeau-Penguins-1200x800.jpg\")
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Justin Brazeau celebrates his goal scored against the Anaheim Ducks (Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n