As we wait on the start and details for the NHL’s latest return to play for the 2020-21 season, one item that stands out for the Penguins is the following season in 2021-22. That will be the last season that Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are under contract. Not to mention other players like Bryan Rust, Kasperi Kapanen and Jared McCann (the latter two being restricted free agents).
The Penguins as we know them could be very, very different in 2022-23. While many core/important players are still under contract three seasons out — led by Sidney Crosby, of course, but also including Jake Guentzel, Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin and Tristan Jarry — a key path forward will clearly be what decisions are made by the team and players by 2022 as to the future of the Pens.