It’s no secret that the expectations for the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t exactly sky-high this season. The team is somewhere in the midst of a rebuild, and there is uncertainty regarding the futures of several players on the roster.
But even if much isn’t looking up for the Penguins this season, there could be a few players who could exceed expectations.
Here are four Penguins’ players who could surprise in 2025-26.
Novak, 28, was acquired from the Nashville Predators prior to the 2025 trade deadline as part of the deal that sent forward Michael Bunting the other way. Unfortunately, Novak only played in two games post-deadline for the Penguins until a lower-body injury ended his season.
Now, he has the chance to carve out a pretty important role in the lineup.
Novak has amassed 49 goals and 117 points in 203 career NHL games, and he is a reliable two-way presence. The Penguins have long-needed a third-line center, and Novak could fit that bill. He could even skate alongside Evgeni Malkin and bring some defensive conscientiousness to that line as well as some playmaking ability.
Either way, there is some potential for Novak to break out offensively in a bigger way this season. His best NHL season was 2023-24 with Nashville, when he recorded 18 goals and 45 points in 71 games. Don’t be too surprised to see Novak hit career-highs in production, especially if he skates alongside Malkin.
Under-The-Radar Penguins To Watch In 2025-26
The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the 2025-26 season having gone three straight seasons without qualifying for the playoffs, and it appears likely to become four unless they exceed expectations.
Wotherspoon was signed to a two-year, $2 million free agent contract this summer. Previously with the Boston Bruins, the 28-year-old blueliner has done a fairly good job in a bottom pairing role through parts of three NHL seasons, routinely shutting down the opposition and occasionally throwing punches.
Yes, that has been in mostly bottom-pair, sheltered minutes. But Wotherspoon will have a real chance at fitting into a bigger role in Pittsburgh, which could help or hurt him.
Although it’s fair to wonder whether playing minutes that he’s not accustomed to or built for will minimize his effectiveness and expose flaws in his game, it’s just as fair to wonder whether he can take full advantage of icing those minutes and unlocking more from…