These four Penguins have been named among the best pending UFAs in the NHL.
After a solid 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are entering the off-season with several pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs). With this, the Penguins will have some decisions to make when it comes to their roster this summer.
The Penguins have some notable pending UFAs, too. Four of them were featured on Chris Johnston's latest top NHL UFA rankings for The Athletic, as Anthony Mantha, Stuart Skinner, Ryan Shea, and Noel Acciari all made the cut.
Mantha was handed the No. 8 spot on Johnston's rankings. When noting that he set career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists, and 64 points this campaign with the Penguins, he should be getting a nice payday this off-season. This remains likely whether he stays in Pittsburgh or signs elsewhere.
Skinner was given the No. 20 spot on Johnston's rankings. The 27-year-old is one of the NHL's top pending UFA goalies, so he should generate a good amount of interest if he tests the market. With the Pengins having Arturs Silovs and Sergei Murashov, they may choose to let Skinner walk.
After an impressive breakout season, Shea was given the No. 23 spot on Johnston's UFA rankings. The left-shot defenseman had a great year, setting career highs with six goals, 29 assists, 35 points, and a plus-30 rating in 80 games. A big raise should be coming his way this summer, but time will tell if it is from the Penguins.
As for Acciari, he picked up the No. 65 spot on Johnston's rankings. He should generate a good amount of interest from teams looking for grit and steady defensive play in their bottom six. The 34-year-old had his best offensive season in a while this campaign, posting 13 goals and 25 points in 67 games.