The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to get faster this offseason.

The 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins were the oldest team in the NHL, and as a result, they were often out-skated in games this season. As a result, the Penguins will focus their efforts on finding faster players to fill out the empty holes on their current roster.

“Speed has always been an important element,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said last week. “I think that’s an aspect we can look to improve.” With that in mind, here are four pending free agents who could help the Penguins improve their team speed.

Alexander Kerfoot

A familiar name to the new President of Hockey Ops for the Penguins, Kerfoot has spent the past four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he became a staple for their bottom six. He added penalty killing to his list of strengths in the past two seasons and has played up and down the lineup when needed.

At 28 years old, Kerfoot will likely get a cheaper deal than the $3.5 million AAV he made as a member of the Leafs due to his drop in point production. Kerfoot scored 32 points (10G - 22A) in 82 games last season, a 19-point drop from the previous season. A change of scenery and a familiar face could make Kerfoot a buy-low option for the Penguins this summer.

Evan Rodrigues

Speaking of a familiar face, Evan Rodrigues will hit the open market for the second straight summer. Rodrigues has enjoyed a career renaissance over the past two seasons, totaling 82 points (35G - 47A) in 151 games between the Penguins and the Colorado Avalanche.

In both instances, injuries thrust Rodrigues into a larger role, and he has been able to step up in both seasons. His upside lies in the ability to play in all situations at both center and wing. The Penguins could use another penalty-killing forward with faceoff abilities after losing Teddy Blueger at the trade deadline. The gamble with Rodrigues is hoping his two-year breakout wasn't a product of his opportunity and that he can continue his production in a reduced role.

Max Domi

Domi is a player that could be a statement signing for the Penguins when rebuilding their bottom six. Domi has bounced around the league, playing for six teams in eight seasons. He found a home in Chicago this season, scoring 49 points (18G - 31A) in 60 games but got dealt at the deadline to the contending Dallas Stars.

At 28-years-old, Domi is in the prime of his career and has established himself as a good role player for any contending team. He can shift around the lineup, playing both center and left wing and brings an edge to his game that the Penguins need more of in their lineup.

Ivan Barbashev

Has any team got more out of their trade deadline acquisition this season than the Vegas Golden Knights with Ivan Barbashev? Including playoffs, Barbashev has scored 33 points (12G - 21A) in 42 Games for Vegas and has made his presence felt with his physicality in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Barbashev is a well-rounded forward that can play up and down the lineup and bring a more physical presence to the Penguins lineup. The 27-year-old Russian forward was already in line for a raise from his $2.25 million salary cap hit, but his performance in this playoffs could make him one of the most sought-after free agents of the summer.

Because of that, Barbashev may be too expensive for the Penguins this summer.

The Penguins need to get faster and younger to turn the team back into a title contender, and any of these four would be a place to start.

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