League: NHL Sport: Hockey Country: United States Category: Match Previews

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

Pittsburgh Penguins face uncertainty on defense alongside Erik Karlsson

Summary

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.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•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.

Latest Updates

10:00 AMYahoo Sports — Who will play with Erik Karlsson this season?

What they're saying

"
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, […]
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Hockey