Looking at some potential regression candidates for the 2026-27 Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Justin Brazeau #16 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his second period goal against the Detroit Red Wings at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 31, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images We already looked at some of the bounce back candidates for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2026-27 season, so now it’s time to take a look at some players on the opposite side of that spectrum that could be candidates to regress a little next season. There were a lot of Penguins players that exceeded expectations, and quite a few that had career years.

When that happens you are always at the risk for a little bit of a slide back to reality. At this point we are only looking at players that are currently under contract for next season, so somebody like Anthony Mantha (who is definitely a regression candidate next season no matter where he plays) is not going to be included. So let’s look at some players that are.

Justin Brazeau Brazeau was one of the Penguins free agent signings last summer, and also one of the bigger surprises from the season with a career-high 17 goals and 34 points. In some ways, however, his regression kind of already started. After scoring 12 goals with 20 points in his first 24 games through the end of December, he finished the regular season with just five goals and 14 total points over the final 40 games.

He did play through some injuries over the course of the season, but he never really recaptured that early season magic, while there was a noticeable drop in his production. Brazeau is an interesting player because at every level of his career he’s been a late-bloomer. It’s always taken him a year or two to figure things out, gain his confidence, and then fully break out offensively.