Here are your Pens Points for this Friday morning…
Kris Letang’s declining performance has become a hot-button topic for Pittsburgh Penguins fans, and for good reason. Despite the workout/exercise regimen and career accomplishments, he is not the player he was five or 10 years ago. Poor decision-making and defensive struggles have made him a liability at even strength and are contributing to some of the Penguins’ worst on-ice results. But is there any solution in sight? [PensBurgh]
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The NHL, if nothing else, is a copycat league, as opposing teams look for the best ways for long-term success, on and off the ice. The Penguins’ surprising turnaround under Kyle Dubas has come from a series of moves that have revitalized the roster. However, other rebuilding teams like the New York Rangers may have trouble replicating the Penguins’ model because the “blueprint” isn’t easily repeatable; success relies on multiple moves all working out at once. [PensBurgh]
The Penguins made a few roster transactions on Thursday. First, the team reassigned rookie forward Avery Hayes to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. [Trib Live]
They followed that up by recalling defenseman Ryan Graves to the NHL club following the completion of a conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. [Trib Live]
After being acquired via trade from the Nashville Predators in March 2025, forward Tommy Novak has carved out a valuable, versatile role for the Penguins, contributing offensively and fitting on multiple lines. [Trib Live]
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News and notes from around the NHL…
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews underwent MCL surgery in New York on Thursday. [ESPN]
The New York Islanders plan to relocate their AHL affiliate from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Hamilton, Ontario, bringing pro hockey back to the city for the first time in years. [TSN]
Ryan Johansen has officially retired after 13 NHL seasons, he announced on Thursday. The former fourth overall pick finishes his NHL career with 110 goals and 252 assists for 362 points in 533 games. [Sportsnet]
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