The Penguins may be heading toward a familiar fork in the road with Erik Karlsson: keep him through the season if they’re in the hunt, or deal him if the year goes sideways. Either way, the sense around the league is that a new contract is not likely to be part of the picture.
Karlsson is in the final season of his eight-year deal and carries a $10 million cap hit. Pittsburgh made the playoffs after a strong 2025-26, and the organization has been trying to push forward with a re-tool rather than tear things down. That approach has shown signs of life, with a younger core that includes Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov, Tommy Novak, Nick Robertson, and Sam Girard.
Still, Josh Yohe of The Athletic said, “I’d be surprised if they give Karlsson a new deal after this season, despite his brilliance.” (from Penguins mailbag: Kyle Dubas’ plan, Erik Karlsson’s future and the Jason Robertson sweepstakes, The Athletic, July 20, 2026)
Yohe added that if the Penguins are competitive, he expects them to keep Karlsson past the trade deadline and let him reach free agency. If they fall out of the race, a midseason move becomes more realistic.
RG’s Jimmy Murphy then floated the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators as possible landing spots before the season begins. Toronto had been a logical fit, though the addition of Darren Raddysh makes that look a little less clean.
Ottawa, meanwhile, could still make sense even beyond the obvious nostalgia. Karlsson remains one of the franchise’s all-time greats, and the Senators have reportedly been looking to upgrade the right side.
He could also fit nicely next to Jake Sanderson.
Vladislav Gavrikov’s situation in New York sounds unsettled as well. He left the Los Angeles Kings for the Rangers hoping to play meaningful hockey in a major market, but the results have not followed. The Rangers have gone through plenty of change, including the departures of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and a good chunk of their depth.
They have added pieces too, bringing in Pavel Dorofeyev, Marcus Pettersson, and Sean Durzi, along with other depth moves. Even so, after finishing 30th last season, the Rangers do not appear set up for a major jump in 2026-27.
Gavrikov is only entering the second year of his deal, but there are already signs he may not be thrilled with the direction of the team. Arthur Staple said on the Rangers Recon podcast, “There are still whispers that Gavrikov is not super happy with the direction of the Rangers…If things go bad, is he going to be a guy in Drury’s office saying ‘I think I’d like to go somewhere else’?”
If it comes to that, there would be no shortage of interest. Gavrikov didn’t have a strong season himself, but his play with the Kings was strong enough to earn him a $49 million contract with the Rangers.
He has term left, a manageable salary, and the profile teams always chase: a left-shot defenseman with strong defensive impact. If he asks out, Chris Drury should have a healthy market waiting.
And in Chicago, Jonathan Toews may still have one more ceremonial stop with the Blackhawks. After Patrick Kane returned, general manager Kyle Davidson said the team would love to have Toews back, much like they did with Marian Hossa.
Toews left the Blackhawks in 2022-23, then stepped away for two years because of chronic health concerns before joining the Winnipeg Jets. He played one season for his hometown team and later announced his retirement.
A one-day deal would let him officially retire as a Blackhawk, a move that has become a familiar tradition for players with deep ties to one club. It is symbolic, but it matters to players, teams, and fans alike.
The Penguins even had Marc-Andre Fleury come back on a one-day professional tryout, and he appeared in part of a preseason game.
With Kane back in Chicago, plenty of fans would love to see one last preseason moment with Showtime and Captain Serious together again before Toews closes the book on his career.
In Other News...
Penguins Just Added A Goalie Prospect Fans Will Want To Size Up
The Penguins goaltending pipeline picked up a familiar name with a long pro rsum, as Wilkes-Barre/Scranton signed Cam Johnson to an American Hockey League contract for the 2026-27 regular season. Johnson arrives with plenty of mileage in both the ECHL and AHL, and his latest stop only strengthened the case for another look after he helped the Florida Everblades capture the Kelly Cup again.
Johnsons postseason run in Florida ended with another championship and a playoff MVP award, the kind of resume line that tends to turn heads in an organization always watching for depth in net. He also brings a championship pedigree that goes back to college, where he was the starter for North Dakotas 2016 NCAA title team, leaving the Penguins with a veteran option whose next chapter is still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Suddenly Linked To A Risky Plan B After Missing Out
The Penguins spent the offseason chasing a bigger swing, but Jason Robertson is off the board after re-signing with Dallas, forcing Kyle Dubas to keep working the trade market for another impact piece. One name that has surfaced as a possible fallback is Matthew Knies, a player Dubas knows well from his time with the Maple Leafs and someone who would fit the kind of long-term addition Pittsburgh has been trying to find.
Knies is still viewed as a player with real upside, which is exactly why he would come with a meaningful price tag and plenty of uncertainty. For a Penguins front office trying to balance urgency with patience, the appeal is obvious, but so is the risk if the player they target does not develop the way they hope. [Read more 🡒]
Former Penguins Defenseman Jack Johnson Lands Surprising Coaching Role
Jack Johnsons post-playing career took a sharp turn this week, with the former Penguins defenseman stepping into a new role at Ohio State. The longtime NHL veteran, who spent two seasons in Pittsburgh during his 19-year career, has joined the Buckeyes womens hockey program and said he is excited about the opportunity.
For Ohio State, the hire brings in a recognizable name with pro experience and a fresh voice for a program looking to keep building. Head coach Nadine Muzerall said Johnson should have a positive impact on the team and on recruiting, adding another layer of intrigue to a move that stands out even in a sport where former players often find their next path behind the bench. [Read more 🡒]