Penguins prepare for NHL free agency after uneventful draft weekend
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 6:24 PM
Last updated Jun 28, 2026
The Pittsburgh Penguins concluded an uneventful draft weekend, acquiring Hendrix Lapierre for draft picks and adding mid-round selections for 2026. With the July 1st free agency approaching, the team's top forwards include Sidney Crosby, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust. Several players are positioned for important roles, including Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov. As of now, speculation exists regarding potential trades involving Rakell and Rust, but no moves have materialized. The left defense position remains a potential area for improvement as the offseason progresses.
- •Penguins acquired Hendrix Lapierre for draft picks.
- •Crosby, Rakell, and Rust are top forward options.
- •Egor Chinakhov expected to play an important role next season.
- •Potential trades involving Rakell and Rust have not occurred.
- •Left defense position remains an area of concern heading into free agency.
- 6:24 PMYahoo Sports — Penguins organizational outlook heading into free agency
"It ended up being a mostly uneventful draft weekend for the Pittsburgh Penguins. They acquired Hendrix Lapierre for draft picks, used some of their stockpile future of picks to get extra 2026 mid-round selections and went about their business of drafting players without many fireworks going down with massive moves. The big landmark for the […]
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