It’s a new NHL season, and that means it’s time for a new THN - Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] season prediction piece! And if training camp and the ensuing roster decisions are any indication of what’s to come this season, it should be an interesting one. The Penguins are going a bit younger with their roster this season, as top prospects Harrison Brunicke, Ben Kindel, and Ville Koivunen are all starting the year in Pittsburgh [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-announce-final-23-man-roster]. They also still have a collection of talented veterans that - mixed with the young talent - could perhaps make a difference when all is said and done. So, where will the Penguins finish in the Metropolitan Division standings this season? Will they sniff the playoffs? Are they bottom-five? And who will lead the way for them? THN - Penguins site editors Kelsey Surmacz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/author/kelsey-surmacz] and Hunter Hodies [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/author/hunter-hodies] give their predictions for the upcoming season: Penguins At Rangers Preview: Dan Muse Looks To Get His First Win As Head Coach [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/15d81f77-9bb5-47c3-8852-1aae39174b14.jpeg] Penguins At Rangers Preview: Dan Muse Looks To Get His First Win As Head Coach The regular season is finally here! The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> will open the 2025-26 season inside Madison Square Garden against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> on Tuesday night. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-at-rangers-preview-dan-muse-looks-to-get-his-first-win-as-head-coach] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KELSEY’S PREDICTIONS Metropolitan Division standings: 1. Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] 2. New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] 3. Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] 4. Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets] 5. New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] 6. Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] 7. New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] 8. Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] Eastern Conference playoff picture: 1. Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] 2. Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/] 3. Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] 4. New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] 5. Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] 6. Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] 7. Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/] 8. Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] Sep 26, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour talks with the team against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/d3a6d0f2-463c-4f01-bd08-e2e3d3256d7c.jpeg] Sep 26, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour talks with the team against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images Western Conference playoff picture: 1. Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/] 2. Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/] 3. Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] 4. Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/] 5. Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/] 6. Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] 7. Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/] 8. Utah Mammoth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] Bottom-five teams: 32. Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] 31. Seattle Kraken [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/seattle-kraken/] 30. Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] 29. Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] 28. Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/] Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Golden Knights over Senators in five games League’s leading scorer: Leon Draisaitl - 132 points Penguins’ leading scorer: Sidney Crosby - 86 points Penguins’ breakout candidate: Philip Tomasino Penguins’ Rookie of the Year: D Harrison Brunicke One bold prediction: Ben Kindel stays the entire season, records 40-plus points. Dan Muse And Mike Sullivan Set To Begin New Chapters On Opposite Sides [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/8fa89328-fef3-44e1-9752-0e468773cd32.jpeg] Dan Muse And Mike Sullivan Set To Begin New Chapters On Opposite Sides The <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> will open their 2025-26 campaign against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers">New York Rangers</a> on Tuesday night, and the game will hold extra significance for the head coaches on both sides. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/dan-muse-and-mike-sullivan-set-to-begin-new-chapters-on-opposite-sides] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ‘why’: I really, really wanted to pick the Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/] to threepeat. Truly. Part of me still feels like I’m getting it wrong and that they’ll surprise everyone (yet not surprise anyone at the same time). But being without Alexsander Barkov for the entire season - let alone if he misses the playoffs - is a blow I’m not sure they can overcome. Yes, they are like the cockroaches that just won’t die. The league hasn’t figured them out yet, and it literally doesn’t matter where they finish in the playoff standings picture - as long as they make the playoffs, they’re a true contender. So, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Florida win it all again, but I just can’t bring myself to pick them, given the circumstances. So, I’m going Vegas over Ottawa, who I think will take and step and have a great year before ultimately falling short. As far as the Penguins? Well, their defense corps and goaltending may be suspect at best, but their forward group is actually… good? It’s certainly better than last year’s from the start, and there is an unpredictable youth factor that makes things a little bit exciting. I just don’t think they’re positioned badly enough to truly tank for Gavin McKenna, and that’s not going to change without some major trades and roster reshuffling. Penguins Announce Final 23-Man Roster [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/5756858e-246a-42fa-8d86-cbfbb44f884d.jpeg] Penguins Announce Final 23-Man Roster After a grueling few weeks of training camp, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' roster has finally been solidified for the start of the 2025-26 season. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/penguins-announce-final-23-man-roster] Crosby will be point-per-game again, and I do think Tomasino looked like a completely different player in the pre-season than he did last season and that his new contract has lit a fire under him. I’ll be looking for him to make himself either a solid depth piece or nice trade chip and for rookie blueliner Harrison Brunicke - who I expect to stay in Pittsburgh the whole year - to have pretty big rookie campaign for the Penguins. Oh, and I agree that Ben Kindel is not going to stick at the NHL level and will go back to juniors unless he blows everyone out of the water… but I think the 18-year-old kid is going to blow everyone out of the water. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HUNTER’S PREDICTIONS Metropolitan Division standings: 1. Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] 2. New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] 3. Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] 4. Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets] 5. New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] 6. New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders] 7. Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] 8. Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] Eastern Conference playoff picture: 1. Carolina Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] 2. Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] 3. Florida Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/] 4. New Jersey Devils [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-jersey-devils/] 5. Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/] 6. Washington Capitals [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/] 7. Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] 8. Ottawa Senators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/ottawa-senators] Sep 26, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Lukas Cormier (51, center) celebrates with center Jakub Brabenec (12) and center Tanner Laczynski (28) after scoring the game-winning power play goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/0545aa1f-7eec-4012-8f48-0abd0e52e589.jpeg] Sep 26, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Lukas Cormier (51, center) celebrates with center Jakub Brabenec (12) and center Tanner Laczynski (28) after scoring the game-winning power play goal against the San Jose Sharks during the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images Western Conference playoff picture: 1. Vegas Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights/] 2. Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars/] 3. Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/] 4. Edmonton Oilers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/edmonton-oilers/] 5. Winnipeg Jets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/winnipeg-jets/] 6. L.A. Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings] 7. Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/] 8. Utah Mammoth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] Bottom-five teams: 32. San Jose Sharks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks] 31. Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks] 30. Nashville Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators] 29. Philadelphia Flyers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers] 28. Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] Stanley Cup Final Prediction: Golden Knights over Lightning in 6 games League’s leading scorer: Connor McDavid - 140 points Penguins’ leading scorer: Sidney Crosby - 95 points Penguins’ breakout candidate: Tommy Novak Penguins’ rookie of the year: Ville Koivunen One bold prediction: Erik Karlsson registers 70-plus points 3 Big Penguins' Storylines To Watch in 2025-26 [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/eee794ff-31db-440b-a8a7-1465265e35b8.jpeg] 3 Big Penguins' Storylines To Watch in 2025-26 With final NHL rosters submitted and the pre-season officially coming to a close, the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> will be an interesting team to watch for a plethora of reasons in 2025-26. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/latest-news/3-big-penguins-storylines-to-watch-in-2025-26] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The ‘why’: I finally got a Stanley Cup Final matchup right this past season with the Oilers playing the Panthers again, but I can’t pick those two teams again. It’s really hard to keep getting to Stanley Cup Finals and I think there’s finally a couple of teams in the West that can beat the Oilers this year, specifically the Golden Knights. I think they have the best roster in the league and are going to make a move to add a defenseman before the trade deadline. The East is wide open now that Barkov is lost for at least the entire regular season. If he’s also out for the entire playoffs, I can’t see the Panthers returning to another final. He’s the straw that stirs the drink for that team, and without him, other teams can find some mismatches. I’m being a bit bold and taking the Lightning to the Stanley Cup Final, but I think they can get through the East, especially if Barkov isn’t there in the playoffs. As for the Penguins, I’m going to take Crosby compiling 90+ points every season until he stops doing it. He was one of the best players in the league last year, and I expect that to continue this year. This is the most intrigued I’ve been about a season in quite some time, and even though I don’t think they will be good, they’re still going to be fun to watch. There’s a brand new staff in place, something that’s been needed for a few years. There are legit young players who are getting opportunities to start the season. The big three are also still around. There are plenty of reasons to watch this team on a nightly basis. New Defenseman Ready To Bring 'Good Habits' To Pittsburgh [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/ada47d3d-9b38-418c-baf9-71fd8aac9fa9.jpeg] New Defenseman Ready To Bring 'Good Habits' To Pittsburgh New <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>' defenseman Caleb Jones may have suited up for the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings">Los Angeles Kings</a>' organization last season prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent. But, oddly enough, he found himself training with some players from a different organization this summer. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/new-defenseman-ready-to-bring-good-habits-to-pittsburgh] I think Novak surprises a lot of people this year and is a good middle-six/top-nine option. He’s a strong playmaker with an underrated release and isn’t afraid to use it. I think Koivunen is going to be the best of the rookies this season and finish with around 35 points, which would be a great achievement. As far as my bold prediction, I think Karlsson benefits from a new coaching staff and a new partner. He’s taking the top pairing minutes, which is what should happen since he’s the best defenseman on the team. He’s going to look more like the player we saw at the 4 Nations Face-off last season. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
