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Pittsburgh Penguins News

Pittsburgh has signed Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million AAV contract.

After success in the KHL, Kuzmenko broke into the NHL as a 26-year-old rookie in 2022-23 with the Vancouver Canucks, putting together a tremendous 74-point season (39G / 35A) in 81 games. That said, the 30-year-old Kuzmenko has struggled with consistency since then, failing to earn his coaches' trust. Last season, he was regularly a healthy scratch, but scored 25 points (13G / 12A) in 52 games with the Los Angeles Kings.

Andrei Kuzmenko
Pittsburgh has signed Declan Carlile to a two-year, $1.5 million AAV contract ($3.0M total).

Carlile is an undrafted defenseman who never made an impact at the NHL level until last season, when he played a career-high 42 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 3 points (1G/2A). The 26-year-old adds some depth to Pittsburgh's blueline on a two-year contract worth $3.0 million ($1.5M AAV).

Declan Carlile
The Penguins have acquired Nick Robertson from the Maple Leafs for a 2028 4th Round Pick.

Robertson joins the Pittsburgh Penguins and GM Kyle Dubas, who was part of the team responsible for drafting Robertson in the second round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Robertson was never able to establish himself as a full-time top-six forward with the Maple Leafs and hopes to have better luck in a fresh start with his new team. Robertson had 32 points (16G / 16A) in 78 games last season.

Nicholas Robertson
Pittsburgh has acquired Kaeden Korczak from Vegas for Parker Wotherspoon (50% retained).

Korczak had a big role on the Vegas Golden Knights' blueline in the 2025-26 season, playing a career-high 78 games and scoring 16 points (3G / 13A). The 25-year-old Korczak is entering the first year of a four-year contract worth $13 million ($3.25M AAV).

Kaedan Korczak
Pittsburgh has acquired David Gustafsson from Winnipeg for Jack St. Ivany.

Gustafsson has been unable to establish himself as a full-time NHLer and will hope a change of scenery, joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, can inspire some confidence and more consistent play. The 26-year-old forward has played 149 career NHL games, all with the Winnipeg Jets, but he spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he scored 32 points (10G / 22A) in 48 games with the Manitoba Moose.

David Gustafsson
The Penguins have acquired Hendrix Lapierre from the Capitals for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth round pick.

With Washington's recent acquisitions of Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch, the team has sent Lapierre to Pittsburgh in exchange for 2027 third-round and 2028 fifth-round draft picks. The 24-year-old Lapierre played a career-high 74 games with Washington last season, but saw a slightly diminished role, averaging only 8:50 time-on-ice while scoring 16 points (4G / 12A).

Hendrix Lapierre
The Penguins Oliver Okuliar from the Panthers for Emil Pieniniemi.

Okuliar was an undrafted free agent who has played one season in North America (2024-25) since signing with the Florida Panthers in April 2024. He spent the 2025-26 season in the Swedish Hockey League with Skellefteå AIK, recording 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 46 regular-season games. He also finished second on the team in playoff scoring with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists), helping Skellefteå AIK capture its fifth Le Mat Trophy as SHL champions in club history.

Oliver Okuliar
Korczak will be a healthy scratch for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Jeremy Lauzon (undisclosed) will return from a month-long absence on Tuesday for Game One against the Carolina Hurricanes, resulting in Korczak being a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Korczak is averaging 11:55 time-on-ice, recording nine blocks, 23 hits, and three assists in 12 games this postseason.

Kaedan Korczak
Pittsburgh has signed Evgeni Malkin to a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension.

Malkin, a future Hall-of-Fame player, was drafted 2nd-overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and has been with the team for his entire career, which will continue for at least one more season after signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract extension. The 39-year-old Malkin had an excellent 2025-26 season, despite battling injuries, scoring 61 points (19G / 42A) in 56 games. It marked his best offensive production (1.09 PTS / GP) since the 2019-20 season (1.35 PTS / GP).

Evgeni Malkin