What will the Penguins’ 2026-27 roster look like? What will Dubas add?: Mailbag

Welcome to my first June mailbag. The next few weeks are about to get busy with the NHL Draft, free agency, the schedule release and all kinds of other news. So, let’s roll with a couple of mailbags this week.

Here’s Part 1, which begins with an impossible question. But that’s part of the fun.

Away we go.

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What is your best guess as to the opening night lineup, leaving blank spots for FA/trade acquisitions? — @EvVog33

It would be so much easier to answer this question a month from now, but I suppose that’s why you’re challenging me.

Extras: Elmer Söderblom, Justin Brazeau 

So, a couple of things about these forward looks. My prediction is that a veteran will be traded, and I’ll guess it’s Rickard Rakell. Dubas could bring back all the veterans, but I’m going to guess there will be plenty of trades this summer and someone will likely go. You can’t keep all of the 30-somethings forever. I think the Penguins would ultimately prefer to keep Rust more than Rakell, though I could envision either being dealt.

I also wouldn’t be shocked if Tommy Novak is traded. The Penguins really like him, but let’s be honest: If the Penguins want to be better next year, they could probably find themselves an upgrade at second-line center.

Söderblom will probably find his way into the lineup, though I’m not sure the way he produced last season is an indication of things to come. Maybe it is, but I still need to see more. I think Hayes and McGroarty are good bets to make the team in September.

The Penguins aren’t going to spend a ton of money on July 1, but they might get a good player. Mason Marchment would be a great fit, and we know Dubas is a fan.

One thing is certain: The Penguins’ bottom-six forwards will be extremely deep.

Here’s the defense:

Extra: Ilya Solovyov 

How boring of me!

Brunicke is still young, and seasoning in Wilkes-Barre next fall wouldn’t be the worst thing for him. But I think, from what I saw recently, there’s a very good chance he’ll make the team out of camp. His talent is real. I doubt Karlsson will be traded, and I don’t see a scenario where Letang doesn’t return.

Wotherspoon isn’t going anywhere. I think they’ll bring back Shea. Girard certainly is a candidate to be flipped in a trade because he never completely fit in last spring, but odds are he still returns.

And finally, the netminders:

I’d be quite surprised if the Penguins don’t go with a Murashov/Šilovs tandem to start the season.

What’s the more likely scenario – Kyle Dubas trades up in the draft or trades for an impact player? — @DrNickNYC

Well, both are in play, for sure. But I feel like there’s a really good chance he trades up in the draft. So, I’ll say that’s more likely. But both are conceivable.

There is some serious talent in the top 12 or so of this draft, and Dubas would surely love to get his hands on one of those players. The problem with that, of course, is that everyone else would like to do the same.

Is there more pressure than ever on Dubas to do at least 2-3 huge trades with the amount of cap space we have, the stocked prospect cupboard and the massive amount of picks we have to use this off-season? — @Jeffs_Penguins

So, I know what you mean and why you’re asking the question. Dubas regularly talks about wanting to add impactful players in their 20s, and because he has said that, there is pressure to make it happen.

On one hand, it seems that making the playoffs last season felt so good that more fans are willing to take a wait-and-see approach this summer.

On the other hand, besides Erik Karlsson, Dubas has yet to make a huge splash as he enters his fourth offseason in Pittsburgh. It’s getting close to being time for that.

Will Dubas try to sign Alex Tuch in free agency? — @Armandisamazin

I’d be very surprised. Tuch is a good player, but he’s 30 and will cost a fortune. I’m sure Dubas likes him, but I’d be stunned if this happened.

With Dubas stating that none of the kids had done enough to take a top-6 spot from Geno and how important a deep playoff run was for them, was losing in the AHL’s ECF a deep enough run? Based on what I saw, Murashov and Brunicke are the only two that I’d pencil in to the NHL roster. — @Flux_cc

Sure, I think the Penguins will take it. Murashov is a borderline lock to be on the team next season out of camp. Brunicke, who was exceptional in the AHL playoffs, has a real chance as well. I would give McGroarty a better than 50-50 chance, and I think Hayes will have a real opportunity, too. Bill Zonnon is probably a year away.

But you never know. Lots can happen between now and September.

Many players in Wilkes-Barre made visible strides, and playing in a pressure-packed environment, as they just did, is only going to help — especially for Murahsov, who was outstanding.

Do the Penguins wind up with a younger “project” type player like Elias Pettersson or Patrik Laine? If so, how do they also find room for some of their own prospects? — @Letangcult

It’s not the worst idea with Laine, though his personality isn’t going to fit in every locker room. Personally, I wouldn’t touch Pettersson’s contract. Rarely has a player seen his production diminish immediately after getting paid quite like him. That’s a big red flag to me.

Are the Macklin Celebrini comparisons to Sid accurate? I am biased and say hell yes. — @joan87771

Oh, no question. On and off the ice, I’ve never seen a player who reminded me of Sidney Crosby as much as Celebrini. He’s special.

Wait a second. You should read the article I wrote about this very topic.

Even though Bettman has said there isn’t a goalie interference issue, will this be addressed sooner than later? Because it happens more often than not, and it’s a real issue, even if he doesn’t see it as such. — @bondoa6

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman seems to think it’s being handled well by officials. Though I acknowledge that it’s an extremely difficult thing to decipher — there’s no way everyone is always going to agree on goaltender inference calls, even if we’re talking about the most objective of people — I do think it’s a real problem. I don’t expect that to change next season.

If Edmonton hires Mike Babcock and he decides to go through Connor McDavid’s phone, what are the chances he sees Zillow searches for Sewickley, PA? — @YaBoyPD

This question made me laugh to the point that I felt it necessary to include. I’ve always maintained that Pittsburgh makes a lot of sense for McDavid. He and Crosby have developed a friendship. The Penguins have a way of treating their stars properly. It’s a two-hour drive to Erie (where McDavid has many friends from his junior hockey days) and a five-hour drive to his hometown in Toronto.

Of course, these days, it seems NHL players want to play only in Florida, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Vegas or Minnesota. I’m not sure which cities McDavid prefers, but yes, he’d fit in nicely with the Sewickley community, I have no doubt.

How will Coach Babs do with Oilers? — @lebree104

Lots of Babcock questions. Wonder why.

I understand the perception of Babcock, and I think it’s been earned on his part. One thing I should mention, though: Crosby really enjoyed his time playing for Babcock internationally.

Now, that was a small sample size. And I’m guessing Babcock treated Crosby a little better than he did some other players over the years.

I’ll never forget a preseason game during the Penguins’ Mike Johnston era. Crosby and Malkin knew they were doomed. I’m convinced they were lowkey recruiting Babcock to come to Pittsburgh. I could be wrong, but it always felt that way. After a preseason game against Detroit, Crosby was talking with Babcock outside the Red Wings locker room. Nothing out of the ordinary there, as they had just won a gold medal together. A moment later, Malkin emerged from the Penguins locker room and hugged Babcock! I gave them a “what is going on here?” look.

The Penguins obviously didn’t hire him, but that always stood out to me.

I can’t think of anything else to ask, so I’ll ask this: the night the Pens lost game 5 against San Jose in 2016, who was happier, the Sharks and their fans, or Pittsburgh Police? — @Pensfan1977

See, I don’t think it would have gotten all that out of control. It was just Penguins fans looking to celebrate. I don’t think the city would have burned to the ground or anything. I’ll say the Sharks were happier because Pittsburgh cops are Penguins fans, so they were probably unhappy the Penguins lost.

The media wasn’t all that thrilled, either. Making another flight back to San Jose wasn’t really ideal.

Favorite city or restaurant to eat at in Europe? — @westcoastwhit87

My favorite restaurant in Europe is a place called Maple Casual Dining in Copenhagen, Denmark. Unreal place. I ended up going two nights in a row because it was so good.

I’m not all that experienced in the ways of European travel. I like Stockholm, Copenhagen, Zurich, Belfast and Geneva a great deal. I hope to get to Prague and Vienna soon. Of all the places I’ve been, my favorite is probably Montreaux, Switzerland. A stunningly beautiful place.

Thanks for reading. Another mailbag is coming soon.