Extend or shop: Examining Penguins players entering the final year of their contracts
The Pittsburgh Penguins have eight players entering the final year of their contracts. What should they do with them?
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 31: Erik Karlsson #65 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in action during the game 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 While most of the focus for the offseason is going to be on the Pittsburgh Penguins pending unrestricted free agents (like, say, Evgeni Malkin) and what they do with their available salary cap space, there’s another group of players that should get some attention. It is the eight players entering the final year of their current contracts and eligible for new contracts on July 1.
Let’s take a quick look at that group and try to determine if the Penguins should try to keep them, shop them or simply let them move on. Sidney Crosby: Extend I’m not sure there is much more analysis needed here. He’s still playing at a high level.
He should continue to do so for at least another couple of years. As long as he wants to keep playing it’s probably a safe assumption he is here. Whether that’s a longer-term deal, year-to-year, shorter-term deals … whatever.
He is here. He will be here. That is what the Penguins probably want.
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