yardbarker
The Pittsburgh Penguins have moved quickly to secure the services of forward Tommy Novak, announcing a three-year contract extension that will keep him with the organization until the summer of 2030. The new deal, which carries an average annual value of $4.65 million, is set to begin with the 2027-28 campaign, ensuring Novak remains in Pittsburgh through the end of the decade.
Novak, who turns 30 next month, was already under contract for the 2026-27 season at a $3.5 million cap hit and was slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. By inking this extension now, the Penguins have effectively purchased three of Novak's unrestricted free agent years, a strategic move given the rapidly escalating salaries for established talent across the NHL.
The Penguins originally acquired Novak in March 2025, sending veteran winger Michael Bunting and a 2026 fourth-round draft pick to the Nashville Predators. Novak, once considered one of Nashville's most promising prospects, had struggled significantly during the 2024-25 season, managing just 13 goals and 22 points in 52 games before the trade.
This acquisition was part of a broader organizational strategy by Pittsburgh to target formerly high-potential players who needed a change of scenery. Some of these gambles have paid off handsomely, such as the addition of Egor Chinakhov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who scored 36 points in 43 games and earned a $6.25 million AAV extension. Others have been less successful, like the trade for Philip Tomasino from Nashville, which cost a fourth-round pick.
While Novak's bounce-back season in 2025-26 hasn't been as spectacular as Chinakhov's, it has been a solid recovery. In his first full year with the Penguins, Novak split time between center and wing, averaging 14:17 of ice time per game—his highest since his breakout 2022-23 campaign. Under first-year head coach Dan Muse, Novak responded with 16 goals and 42 points, while also seeing regular time on the second power-play unit, though he was not used on the penalty kill.
Key Analysis
Novak's game has always been built on his exceptional puck skills and offensive instincts, but his defensive play and physicality have been frequent criticisms. He remains primarily an offensive contributor, and the Penguins don't expect him to anchor the penalty kill or provide a physical presence. However, his performance last season demonstrated that he can be a reliable secondary scorer for a team with playoff aspirations.
As Pittsburgh looks to integrate more young forwards into the lineup in the coming years, Novak's steady presence as a middle-six scorer offers valuable continuity for Coach Muse and a stable veteran partner for developing players. While a $4.65 million cap hit might have seemed steep in previous seasons for a player with a career-high of 45 points, in today's market, it's a reasonable price for some of Novak's prime unrestricted free agent years.
Originally reported by yardbarker.