Pittsburgh Penguins face uncertainty on defense alongside Erik Karlsson
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 1, 2026, 10:00 AM
Last updated Aug 1, 2026
As the Pittsburgh Penguins prepare for the 2026 training camp, their defensive lineup remains unclear, particularly regarding who will partner with Erik Karlsson. Despite the addition of new players, the defense continues to have a reputation for fragility, finishing in the bottom-10 in key metrics last season. Options include Ryan Graves, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Declan Carlile, though there are concerns about their fit alongside Karlsson. Similar questions loomed last season, where Parker Wotherspoon ultimately provided stability on the left side. The Penguins must finalize their defensive pairings before the season begins.
- •Pittsburgh's defense struggled last season, finishing in the bottom-10 of metrics.
- •Erik Karlsson remains a key player but needs a reliable defense partner.
- •Options for Karlsson's pairing include Ryan Graves, Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Declan Carlile.
- •The team faces similar uncertainties as last training camp regarding defensive pairings.
- •Parker Wotherspoon provided stability last season, but changes in personnel create new challenges.
- 10:00 AMYahoo Sports — Who will play with Erik Karlsson this season?
"On the first day of training camp last season, no one really knew how the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to configure their blueline. Take this preview from last September on the eve of camp: How does the defense sort out? To put it charitably, there’s a lot of question marks. To put it less diplomatically, […]
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