yahoo
The Pittsburgh Penguins made another move aimed at the future on Friday, but it wasn't the blockbuster many anticipated. General manager Kyle Dubas opted to lock in center Tommy Novak on a three-year extension worth $4.65 million annually, a deal that kicks in for the 2027-28 season and runs through 2030-31.
Novak, who tallied 16 goals and 42 points in 82 games last season, has been a steady presence as the team's second-line center since arriving from Nashville in a March 2025 trade that also brought defenseman Luke Schenn to Pittsburgh in exchange for forward Michael Bunting and a fourth-round pick.
The extension is a low-risk commitment, especially given the cap hit represents just a $1.15 million increase from his current salary in a rapidly rising salary cap environment. It provides the Penguins with reliable center depth for the next few seasons and allows 19-year-old Ben Kindel to gradually transition into a top-six role.
However, Novak is 29 and will be 33 when the deal expires. This age factor is notable, as the Penguins recently allowed 29-year-old defenseman Ryan Shea to walk in free agency despite his key role on the blue line last season.
Key Analysis
The Penguins' stated goal is to return to contention, and they've been active in reshaping the roster. Rumors have linked them to Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson before he signed a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, and they've also been connected to Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright. While those hypotheticals didn't materialize, the team has continued its patient, incremental approach, adding depth pieces like Declan Carlile, Kaedan Korczak, Andrei Kuzmenko, Nicholas Robertson, and Hendrix Lapierre.
Young prospects such as defenseman Harrison Brunicke, goaltender Sergei Murashov, and forwards Rutger McGroarty, Tristan Broz, and Avery Hayes are knocking on the door, signaling a brighter future than in recent years. But the Novak signing exposes a glaring need at center. Beyond Kindel, who remains somewhat unproven, the Penguins rely on aging stars Sidney Crosby (turning 39) and Evgeni Malkin (who turned 40 and now plays wing), along with 33-year-old Rickard Rakell and bottom-six options like Blake Lizotte, Connor Dewar, and Lapierre.
Internal prospects like Broz project as a third-line center at best, while others like Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff, Zam Plante, and Markus Ruck are either uncertain or years away. To compete in both the short and long term, Pittsburgh will likely need to acquire a young, elite center via trade or draft. Given the team's competitive window, a draft pick may not yield immediate help until after Crosby's retirement.
Thus, the Novak signing serves as a temporary fix for a deeper issue. If the Penguins are serious about reaching their goals, they must aggressively pursue a dynamic young center. Dubas may not be finished, and this move buys time to evaluate options and find the right fit for the position.
Originally reported by yahoo.