The Penguins will rely heavily on Tristan Jarry between the pipes to start the 2024-25 season with Joel Blomqvist serving as his backup. The 28-year-old Nedeljkovic surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.
Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Monday that the forward has been placed on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Although his lower-body injury doesn't seem too concerning, Rust has been placed on IR. With this latest development, it appears the 32-year-old will not be ready for the Penguins' season opener on October 10th when they take on Columbus. He had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games played in 2023-24.
Karlsson began skating with the team earlier this week but has stated that he fully expects to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener on Wednesday vs. the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old has yet to appear in the preseason but will be looking to build off a subpar first season in PIttsburgh in 2023-24, with 11 goals, 56 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played.
It doesn't sound too serious for Bryan Rust but he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and Head Coach Mike Sullivan has stated that "He's trying to manage through it" after the forward missed practice on Friday. The 32-year-old will hope to be ready for the Penguins' season opener on October 10th as they take on Columbus. He had 28 goals and 56 points in 62 games played in 2023-24.
Karlsson had yet to join his teammates for training camp after dealing with an upper-body injury but joined the Penguins' practice in a full-contact jersey Friday. The 34-year-old is coming off a disappointing first season in Pittsburgh which saw him amass 11 goals, 56 points, 44 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played in 2023-24.
After a long training camp with limited news on Erik Karlsson's ailment, the 34-year-old defenseman returned to Pittsburgh's practice for the first time in a non-contact jersey. The 16-year-veteran is not expected to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener on October 9th vs. New York with the latest news. Karlsson is coming off a disappointing first season with the Penguins in 2023-24, where he put up 11 goals, 56 points, 44 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played.
Blake Lizotte's Pittsburgh debut may have to wait after it was announced on Wednesday that the forward is being further evaluated for a concussion and is without a timetable to return. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.
Pittsburgh will be in need of a backup goaltender to start the 2024-25 season after it was announced Alex Nedeljkovic sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday and will be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.
Pittsburgh will be in need of a backup goaltender to start the 2024-25 season after it was announced Alex Nedeljkovic sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday and will be out week-to-week. The 28-year-old surprisingly took over Pittsburgh's crease for the Penguins end of season playoff run in 2023-24 due to his 18-7-7 record, 2.97 GAA and .902 SV% during his first season in Pennsylvania.
Karlsson worked out off-ice on Monday and is "going through the process" according to head coach Mike Sullivan. The Penguins have said previously that they expect Erik Karlsson to be ready for the season opener, but he's running out of time to join his teammates fro practice.
Tomasino was a first-rounder in 2019 but has yet to become a full-time NHLer with the Predators. Last year, he once again split his campaign between the NHL and AHL, recording 20 points (7G / 13A) in 41 games with Nashville. During his time in Milwaukee (AHL), he had 18 points (11G / 7A) in 22 games. Following the additions of Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault in the offseason, Tomasino is going to be battling for a bottom-6 spot in the lineup in training camp.
Crosby's lifelong connection to the number 87 continued on Monday as the 37-year-old signed a two-year extension worth $8.7 million with Pittsburgh. "Sid the Kid" will once again take a team-friendly contract after coming off one of his most impressive seasons in years in 2023-24, with 42 goals, 94 points and 278 SOG in 82 games played. Crosby is entering his 20th NHL season and is 10th all-time in career points (1596); only 45 points from Joe Sakic and the 9th slot.
Hours after being acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in a one-for-one deal for Brayden Yager, Rutger McGroarty has signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old was Winnipeg's 2022 1st-round pick (14th overall) and had excelled at the NCAA level, with 16 goals and 52 points in only 36 games played in 2023-24 with the Michigan Wolverines.
McGroarty had announced in April that he was planning on returning to Michigan (NCAA) for the 2024-25 season but has been dealt from Winnipeg to Pittsburgh for Brayden Yager and is now expected to sign his entry-level contract. The 20-year-old was Winnipeg's 2022 1st-round pick (14th overall) and has excelled at the NCAA level, with 16 goals and 52 points in only 36 games played in 2023-24 with Michigan.
Pittsburgh added to their forward depth on Tuesday by acquiring Cody Glass alongside a 2025 3rd-round pick (MIN) and a 2026 6th-round pick from Nashville for Jordan Frasca. The 25-year-old centre carries a cap hit of $2.5 million into 2023-24 and should fit in well in Pittsburgh's bottom six after a down season last year which saw him score only six goals and 13 points in 41 games played.
Murashov is Pittsburgh's 2022 4th round pick (118th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins on Tuesday. The 20-year-old Russian netminder spent the majority of 2023-24 with Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) and had an impressive 2.03 GAA and .930 SV%. He is expected to start 2024-25 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) as he adjusts to North American hockey.
Brunicke was a second-round pick (No.44 overall) in this summer's NHL Draft. The 18-year-old right-shot blueliner played for the Kamloops Blazers (WHL) during the 2024 season, scoring 10 goals with 11 assists (21 points) in 49 games.
