The Penguins are back at camp and, even before the second day gets rolling, the picture is pretty clear: this is a team trying to chase last year’s playoff success while knowing the path won’t be simple.
That reality showed up in the outside chatter, too. One power ranking has Pittsburgh down at No. 23, a reminder that not everybody is sold on the Penguins’ outlook. Still, the goal inside the room remains the same - build on what worked a year ago and find a way back in.
A big part of camp will be watching the younger names try to force their way into the conversation. Rutger McGroarty, Avery Hayes and Owen Pickering all face a tough climb if they want to crack the opening night NHL roster, but each is expected to make a strong push for a spot.
There were also plenty of notes from the first day of camp, along with more observations from around the team. Jason Spezza confirmed that 20-year old defenseman Tomas Galvas will get a look in training camp and would head back to Czechia for the season if he doesn’t make the NHL roster.
One of the more notable camp details came with Elmer Soderblom, who was bumped to the last practice group after arriving late yesterday. How long that lasts will be worth watching.
Around the league, Sidney Crosby sent a video message for Marc-Andre Fleury that added a touching note to Fleury’s QMJHL Hall of Fame ceremony. Crosby, meanwhile, is on the verge of another milestone of his own, as he is about to become the longest tenured captain in NHL history in his 20th season.
Elsewhere, there were some eye-catching camp developments in Toronto, where 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna started training camp on a line with William Nylander and John Tavares. That, as the saying goes, sounds decent.
A few other league notes stood out as well: David Pastrnak didn’t have to rehab anything this summer for the first time in a while, which could set him up for an even bigger season than usual.
And away from the rink, there was an important update on Arizona State player Matthew Mayich, who is now on life support after a team workout gone wrong. His family is speaking out and asking for visibility and prayers.
In Other News...
Letang Sends A Clear Message About The Penguins Core
Kris Letang is heading into Penguins training camp with the familiar sense that the franchises foundation is still very much in place. The alternate captain talked about his own contract status, which runs through next season, and reflected on Evgeni Malkins recent extension while noting how long the trio of Letang, Sidney Crosby and Malkin could keep skates on the same sheet together.
For Pittsburgh, that matters because the clubs identity still flows through those three veterans, even as camp brings a few new looks and lineup combinations. Letang also spoke about his training approach and his pairing with newcomer Trevor van Riemsdyk, a reminder that the Penguins are balancing continuity at the top with the work of figuring out how the rest of the blue line fits around it. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Open Camp With Crosby And Karlsson Facing A Huge Season
Training camp brings the usual reset, but for Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson, this one carries extra weight. Both are entering the final year of their current contracts with the Penguins, and both sit at the center of what this season means for a veteran roster trying to build on last years progress. Crosby has already made clear he wants to keep playing for several more years, while Karlsson arrives with the same kind of confidence in what comes next, even if the contract conversation has not been part of the public discussion yet.
For Pittsburgh, the season is about more than just chasing a stronger finish. Management is expected to let the year itself help shape the next set of decisions, which puts added importance on how Crosby and Karlsson look as camp unfolds and the games begin to matter. The Penguins have reason to believe they can carry momentum forward, but the bigger questions around two of their most important players will hover until the season starts to answer them. [Read more 🡒]
Penguins Camp Pressure Is Rising As Bigger Roster Questions Linger
Training camp always has a way of turning vague roster plans into real decisions, and that is the spot the Penguins are in right now. Assistant general manager Jason Spezza made it clear that the younger players coming in are going to have to win their way onto the roster, even with a crowded group of forwards already in the mix.
There are bigger-picture questions hanging over the club too, starting with Erik Karlsson and his unsettled future. He has not had any contract talks with the Penguins and is comfortable with the uncertainty for now, which leaves another notable storyline unresolved as camp approaches. Around the league, other stars are dealing with their own tense situations, from Connor Hellebuycks trade demand in Winnipeg to Dylan Larkins silence about his request, a reminder that this time of year can get complicated fast. [Read more 🡒]