One major area the Pittsburgh Penguins struggled with last season was defense, and they have had a pretty quiet offseason. There is still time for general manager Kyle Dubas to make changes before the season starts, but if he doesn’t, how is the team going to look on the defensive side of the puck heading into 2025-26?
Can the Penguins Fix Their Defense?
It’s late August, and if things stay how they are now to start the season, Pittsburgh’s defense won’t look much different. Erik Karlsson has been at the center of trade rumors for months, but if he is still with the team when the season starts, he is expected to be on the top pairing.
Since being acquired via trade, Karlsson has not lived up to expectations; however, he is still the best option for top-pairing minutes. He moves the puck well and has a good offensive game. His defensive game has been wildly inconsistent the past few seasons, but hopefully, a new coaching staff can get more out of him.Â
This season, Kris Letang will celebrate 20 years in the NHL, all with the Penguins. He is the best defenseman in franchise history; however, last season was one of his worst. His offensive game left much to be desired, and he wasn’t much better on defense. He has suffered numerous health issues over the years, and at 38 years old, he is simply not the player he used to be. If he can adapt his game, he could still be a valuable player on defense. He will more than likely be on the second pairing this season, but the Penguins will need him to step up in a big way.Â
Connor Clifton was traded to Pittsburgh by the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Conor Timmins on June 28. Clifton had 16 points in 73 games for the Sabres last season, and the Penguins are hoping a change of scenery will spark his game. He is a competitive, physical player who could be a huge contributor on defense. It will be interesting to see if the team pairs him with Letang to start the season or moves him down to the bottom pair.Â
Matt Dumba joined the Penguins on July 10 after a trade with the Dallas Stars. Last season, he had ten points in 63 games and 60 blocked shots. He was a healthy scratch throughout the Stars’ playoff run and is in need of a fresh start. He is good at stopping the rush, but his offensive game is not great. With one more year left on his contract, the plan may just be to raise his value as much as possible and deal him away at the trade deadline.Â
Related: Expectations for Penguins Forwards in 2025-26
It is quite possible that Harrison Brunicke will be a part of the Penguins’ blue line this season. He was very close to making the roster last season but was sent back to the Western Hockey League (WHL) to continue his development. His skating has improved from last season, and he has good offensive instincts. Pittsburgh has quite a few defensemen on the right side; however, Brunicke was a standout at Development Camp in July and will be fighting to win a full-time spot on the roster.Â
Dubas Prepping for the Season
The Penguins are still figuring things out and probably won’t have a very good season. However, Dubas has the team in a good position with the draft picks he has stockpiled and all the young prospects who are coming up the ranks. If he can fix the issues on defense, or the guys internally can take a step, his team will be in a much better spot.
