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The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the 2026-27 season with several new faces, and a recent analysis sets over/under benchmarks for their potential production. Among the acquisitions, Nicholas Robertson stands out as the player most likely to make a significant impact both immediately and long-term, according to the assessment.
At 24 years old, Robertson has demonstrated NHL-caliber skill with untapped potential. Over his career, he has averaged a 17-goal pace per 82 games, improving to nearly 19 goals per 82 over the last three seasons, despite primarily playing a depth role with only 12 minutes of ice time per game. On a per-minute basis, he ranks among the league's most efficient goal-scorers, with 1.09 goals per 60 minutes of 5-on-5 play since 2023-24, placing him 29th among 517 forwards with at least 500 minutes. This rate ties him with Jack Eichel and Jordan Kyrou and surpasses players like Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel. The Penguins hope increased ice time will translate his per-minute production into 20 or more goals.
Andrei Kuzmenko, signed to a one-year prove-it deal, is projected at over/under 20.5 goals. His career includes a 39-goal rookie season on a 27.3% shooting percentage, followed by 22 goals in year two, but only 24 goals in 118 games since due to injuries and team changes. Kuzmenko is a high-percentage shooter, finishing with 18% or higher in three of four NHL seasons, and is effective on the power play. Despite playing for a weaker offensive team in Los Angeles last season, he scored at a 20-goal pace over 52 games, suggesting the mark is achievable if he stays healthy.
Key Analysis
Hendrix Lapierre, acquired early in the offseason, is projected at over/under 10.5 points. With the Penguins' forward depth, he is expected to be a fourth-liner or extra forward, having recorded 47 points in 158 career games. His rate stats are passable but not on par with Robertson or Elmer Soderblom, making significant offensive contributions unlikely.
Defenseman Kaedan Korczak is set at over/under 15.5 points. While not a big offensive producer, he excelled in sheltered minutes with Vegas, driving play and outscoring opponents. Averaging a 20-point pace per 82 games, he posted 16 points in 74 games last season and represents a defensive gamble similar to forward acquisitions like Chinakhov.
Declan Carlile, projected at over/under 20.5 points, is seen as a potential upgrade over Parker Wotherspoon, who had 30 points last season. Carlile performed well in Tampa Bay after being thrust into an NHL role, and his profile mirrors Wotherspoon's before arriving in Pittsburgh. His ice time alongside Erik Karlsson may limit his point total, but he could have a surprisingly productive year.
Trevor van Riemsdyk is given an over/under of plus-10 rating. As the Penguins overhauled half their defensive corps, van Riemsdyk is considered the best pure defender among the new additions. He has posted plus-minus ratings of plus-10, minus-7, plus-20, and plus-6 over the past four seasons, and six Penguins players reached plus-10 or better last year, making the mark attainable.
Originally reported by yahoo.