In Pittsburgh, while Sidney Crosby's contract extension is a hot topic, defenseman Marcus Pettersson is also eligible for a new deal this summer, with optimism for a quick agreement on his career-best season. Alex Nedeljkovic's strong performance may lead him to leave the team in pursuit of better offers, potentially leaving Tristan Jarry as the starting goalie. Winger Reilly Smith could draw more interest in the summer as a rental, despite a dip in offensive production. Rickard Rakell's low output this season is attributed to playing through a shoulder injury, leading him to decline a spot at the Worlds next month.

By the Numbers
  • Pettersson recorded 4 goals and 26 assists this season.
  • Nedeljkovic finished with a 2.97 GAA and a .902 SV% in 38 games.
  • Smith's offensive performance dropped from 26 goals and 30 assists to 13 and 27 this season.
Yes, But

The Penguins may need to retain salary to maximize the return for Reilly Smith in potential trade deals.

What's Next

If Nedeljkovic leaves, the Penguins will rely on Tristan Jarry as the starting goalie and potentially promote Joel Blomqvist as the backup next season.

Bottom Line

As the Penguins navigate contract negotiations and potential player departures, the team faces decisions on key players like Nedeljkovic, Pettersson, Smith, and managing injuries like Rakell's, shaping the roster for the upcoming season.