With numerous offseason moves, the Pittsburgh Penguins aim to strengthen their roster, and this article rates each move’s effectiveness. General Manager Kyle Dubas has been conservative with his offseason moves this season. The Penguins made splashes last offseason such as the Erik Karlsson trade and Ryan Graves signing. Some of the moves, like the Graves signing, have yet to pay dividends. As such, Dubas has been less active this offseason, making more calculated moves, building for the future, while keeping an eye on the present.
Criteria for Rating the Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Moves
A quantitative system focusing on three key criteria will be used to evaluate these moves. These categories will be the player fit with team, their value compared to financials, and overall rating of deal for both the Penguins and the player in question. Let’s dive into the Penguins’ offseason activities.
Depth Moves, Inconsequential
The Penguins have made several depth moves to ensure their roster is well-rounded and prepared for the rigours of an 82-game season. These moves will not be rated as part of this analysis. Signings: D Mac Hollowell, D Ryan Shea, C Jimmy Huntington, LW Bokondji Imama, D Nathan Clurman, F Emil Bemstrom, D Sebastian Aho, F Corey Andonovski.
Kevin Hayes Trade and the Details, Followed by Ratings
The Penguins acquired centre Kevin Hayes and a 2025 second-round pick from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for future considerations.
Fit with Team: 8 – There are concerns about Hayes’ speed and ability to contribute at a high level. However, he is capable of filling the third line centre and right wing positions for the Penguins, helping to bolster the Penguins’ depth. He is a veteran presence that will be very important in the bottom six.
Financial Value: 6 – Hayes is overpaid, but it is not an exorbitant amount he is being overpaid by. He is currently making $3.5 million for just two seasons, a contract that is inconvenient but not franchise-breaking if Hayes does not play to his abilities.
Rating of Trade: 8 – The Penguins acquired a veteran forward capable of filling multiple needs in the bottom six without giving up any assets. Additionally, Dubas was able to gain assets in the deal instead. He acquired a second round pick to take on Hayes, a player that fills a need for the team.
Final Rating – 22/30 = B
Reilly Smith Trade
The Penguins traded forward Reilly Smith to the New York Rangers at 25% of his salary retained for a 2027 second round pick, and a 2025 fifth round pick.
Fit with Team: 5 – The Reilly Smith trade is one of the Penguins offseason moves with the most attention. The Penguins acquired a second and fifth-round pick as the main pieces in return. Dubas could use these assets to improve the team now or in the future. However, the second-round pick will not be available until 2027, so it is unlikely to make any meaningful impact on the Penguins organization for a few more seasons. As Sidney Crosby and the core is aging, it does not help the team well to acquire draft picks unless they are packaged in further moves.
Financial Value: 9 – Kevin Hayes‘ current cap hit matches that of the money shed by the Penguins by trading Smith. With the same money, the Penguins were able to acquire two second-round picks by shuffling around Hayes and Smith. The Penguins did have to retain a quarter of Smith’s contract, stopping the full 10/10 grading, but shedding salary without giving up assets is a commendable move regardless.
Rating of Trade: 9 – Reilly Smith was acquired for a third-round draft selection in 2023, before being traded for a second and fifth-round pick a year later. The Penguins were able to recoup more assets than given for the winger. The Penguins were not in on any big trades or free agents, retaining $1.25 million in cap did not hinder their ability to make other moves this offseason.
Final Rating – 23/30 = B+
Details of the Matt Grzelcyk Signing Followed by a Rating of the Deal
Defenceman Matt Grzelcyk signs for one-year at a $2.75 million AAV.
Fit with Team: 6 – Grzelcyk on paper is a fantastic fit with the Penguins. He fills a role on the third pair where there was a hole following Pierre-Olivier Joseph‘s departure. However, Grzelcyk is 30 years old, and as the oldest team in the league, the Penguins were hoping to get younger. Grzelcyk also struggled last season with just 11 points. This was his lowest point total in seven seasons. These question marks knock down a few points on team fit.
Financial Value: 7 – Grzelcyk is paid like a stalwart, number three, left defenceman, capable of being your number five overall in the defensive group. When Grzelcyk is playing well, this is fair value. The signing gets an extra point for being just a one-year contract. Should the Penguins be outside of the playoffs looking in near the deadline, it would be easy to trade Grzelcyk to a contender as his contract offers much flexibility.
Rating of Signing: 8 – Grzelcyk and the Pittsburgh Penguins are both in a stage where they are hoping to reclaim past success. This makes the organization and the player natural fits for this upcoming season. Grzelcyk is capable of giving the Penguins quality minutes, while the Penguins are capable of either helping him recapture his prior success in Boston, or moving him to a contender where he can try the same.
Final Rating – 21/30 = B-
Anthony Beauvillier Signing
Forward Anthony Beauvillier signs for one-year at a $1.25 million AAV.
Fit with Team: 3 – Anthony Beauvillier is a reclamation project that fits the idea of the team getting younger. At 27 years of age, Beauvillier becomes one of the younger players on the Penguins roster. However, Beauvillier has struggled to score in recent seasons. He is likely to play on the left wing in the bottom six, but Beauvillier loses points for not having clear utility on this roster.
Financial Value: 9 – Beauvillier is fairly paid considering his past few seasons play. His contract is easily moveable to a contender without retention even being needed. Alternatively, he can be buried for cap relief should that be necessary as well.
Rating of Signing: 6 – Beauvillier did not sign with the Penguins to an amount too costly or for too long of a time. However, his contract does take away opportunities from younger players like Samuel Poulin or Ville Koivunen trying to break into the league which could end up costing the Pens crucial development time.
Final Rating – 18/30 = C-
Another of the Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Moves and the Alex Nedeljkovic Re-Signing
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic re-signs for two-years at a $2.5 million AAV.
Fit with Team: 8 – The Penguins were in need of a backup goaltender for Tristan Jarry, and were able to fill the hole with this signings. Alex Nedeljovic played incredible hockey down the stretch, but has concerns with consistency. This signing loses points as Jarry himself has inconsistency issues. The pair together could leave the Penguins goaltending in a precarious situation. If their goaltenders are playing to their ability, either one is capable of stealing games. However, when either goalie is off their game, it can be a disaster. The Penguins offseason moves were rumoured to potentailly include Jarry at one point, but they did not come to pass as of yet. Should Nedeljkovic play well, and if prospect Joel Blomqvist does well to start the year, Jarry could still potentially be on the move in the near future.
Financial Value: 7 – Nedeljkovic has a fair contract at $2.5 million AAV for two years, so there is low risk in this contract. Additionally, his cap hit is in a good range for a backup goaltender, and the contract is easily movable if needed.
Rating of Signing: 9 – This is an excellent contract for the Penguins and for Nedeljkovic. The two-year length gives Nedeljkovic the chance to continue getting a feel for the net in Pittsburgh, playing meaningful games contributing to his development. The Penguins lock down a goaltender they have seen flashes of brillance from to a good contract, potentially making starting goaltender Tristan Jarry available.
Final Rating – 24/30 = A-
Blake Lizotte Signing
Forward Blake Lizotte signs for two-years at a $1.85 million AAV.
Fit with Team: 9 – Lizotte plays an incredible defensive game, and is capable of contributing to the offence. He has scored ten goals in two separate seasons recently. Additionally, he has learned to penalty kill in a defensive Los Angeles Kings system. On the Penguins, Lizotte will likely play fourth line centre or left wing ideally. Also, he will be a leader on the penalty kill. He is the kind of player Head Coach Mike Sullivan loves to use for energy. His additional offensive upside will add another dimension to the Penguins depth group.
Financial Value: 7 –Blake Lizotte is a bit of a reclamation project. His nearly two million dollar cap hit is potentially risky. However, the contract is short enough to ensure it cannot be too detrimental to the team in the case that Lizotte underperforms. Meanwhile, if Lizotte is able to play to his capabilities on both ends of the ice, his contract could end up being a bargain.
Rating of Signing: 8 – Lizotte presents a feisty bottom six player capable of contributing when he’s on the ice. His defensive presence is sure to be helpful with players like Jeff Carter leaving the bottom six. Moreover, his positional flexibility gives the team a lot of options on utilization.
Final Rating – 24/30 = A-
The Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Moves in Conclusion
Overall, the Penguins have made several strategic moves this offseason to enhance their roster. The Kevin Hayes acquisition and Blake Lizotte signing stand out as positive moves adding dimensions to the Penguins roster. Meanwhile, the Anthony Beauvillier signing is a bit of a head scratcher as Beauvillier lacks fit on the team. As the season approaches, it will be exciting to see how these moves translate on the ice. Will they have the desired impact and contribute to the Penguins’ quest to make it back to the playoffs?
Main photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
