Even though it's 12 months away, the 2025 NHL free agency class could feature a handful of Pittsburgh Penguins.
CapWages says the Pittsburgh Penguins will have 10 free agents, including captain Sidney Crosby, after the 2024-25 season.
Of course, Crosby is believed to be days away from signing an extension and ending his career in black and gold, so realistically, this list should include nine skaters.
Who are these players, and what are the chances they stay in Pittsburgh next summer?
Lars Eller (35) Current salary - $2.45 million
Lars Eller finished his first season with the Penguins and had 31 points in 82 games, averaging 15:58 in ice time. If the team wants to get younger, letting him walk in free agency would allow a prospect a chance to crack the lineup in 2025-26.
Anthony Beauvillier (27) Current salary - $1.25 million
Anthony Beauvillier joined the team recently as a free agent signing. He's scored 116 goals and 246 points in eight seasons and has never reached 20 goals in a single campaign. As a depth forward, it will be important to see him get at least 40 points to ensure an extension next summer.
Drew O'Connor (26) Current salary - $925k
Drew O'Connor got his first real crack at being an NHL regular in 2023-24, recording 16 goals and 33 points in 79 games. Coming off a one-year extension, a duplicate performance in 2024-25 will ensure his stay in Pittsburgh, especially if he reaches 20 goals.
Jesse Puljujärvi (26) Current salary - $800k
Unfortunately, Jesse Puljujärvi has yet to live up to his draft status as fourth overall pick. Last season, he worked his way back into the NHL but only scored four points in 22 games. Even as a depth signing, unless he can find another level to his game, he may seek employment elsewhere in 2025.
Emil Bemström (25) Current salary - $775k
At 25, Emil Bemström is already a veteran of 228 games and just finished his first campaign with the Penguins. He had five points in 24 games after coming over in the Alex Nylander trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Management liked his performance, inking him for an extension on the first day of free agency. Can he make it two summers in a row in 2025?
Marcus Pettersson (28) Current salary - $4 million
Marcus Pettersson has been in Pittsburgh since 2018 and had his best season in the NHL with 30 points in 82 games while finishing plus-28. Considering the team has Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson locked up for a few more seasons, hopefully, Pettersson doesn't price himself out of town with another superb campaign.
Matt Grzelcyk (30) Current salary - $2.75 million
Matt Grzelcyk is about to play for a new team for the first time in his career, having spent the past eight seasons with the Boston Bruins. He's coming off the worst season of his career with just 11 points in 63 games, often sitting out as a healthy scratch. Hopefully, a fresh start will get him back to his usual 20-30 points.
John Ludvig (23) Current salary - $775k
Out of all the possible free agents, John Ludvig is the youngest and the only one who will be a restricted free agent next summer. He's only 23 and finishing out a two-year deal he previously signed with the Florida Panthers. With just 33 games of NHL experience on his resume, he averaged 11:48 a night and was minus-12, which means there are still growing pains.
Matt Nieto (31) Current salary - $900k
After signing as a free agent last summer, Matt Nieto only skated in 22 games (four points) before undergoing a successful knee surgery in January. He could end up on long-term injured reserve. If he doesn't skate during the 2024-25, it's likely that his salary and contract will come off the books next summer.
Which of these future free agents do you expect to stay? Will any of them get traded during the season? Let us know in the comments.