The 10 best players from each NHL team: Pittsburgh Penguins

Tristan Jarry’s time in Pittsburgh has been defined by flashes of brilliance mixed with long stretches of inconsistency. When he’s at his best, he’s capable of stealing games and looking like a top-tier goaltender in the NHL. But far too often, his level of play dips, leaving the Penguins exposed in net.

That inconsistency could become even more glaring this season. Pittsburgh’s roster is no longer the powerhouse it once was, and with the team around him weakening, Jarry will have to face even more pressure.

If he can’t find a way to steady his game and bring reliability night after night, the Penguins could be in serious trouble in their quest to remain competitive.

Ryan Graves came to Pittsburgh with the hope of bringing stability to the blue line, but things haven’t exactly gone as planned so far. His size and reach make him a naturally effective defender, and when he’s on his game, he can play tough minutes against good opposition. However, his first stretch with the Penguins showed that he struggled at times with consistency and decision-making.

The Penguins are counting on him to bounce back because they don’t have the depth they once had on defense.

Graves still has the tools to be a reliable top-four option — strong physically, capable of blocking shots, and able to log heavy minutes — but he’ll need to show more this season if he wants to solidify his role as a true backbone on Pittsburgh’s blue line.

Kris Letang has been the heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s defense for well over a decade, and even as he gets older, his impact remains undeniable. He’s not the same explosive skater he was in his prime, but his intelligence, puck-moving ability, and leadership keep him among the most respected defensemen in the league.

The biggest challenge for Letang has always been health, and despite everything he’s gone through — including serious medical scares — he continues to find a way to come back and play at a high level. With the Penguins aging and depth thinning out, his role is as important as ever.

He remains the quarterback on the power play, the go-to guy in big situations, and the emotional leader on the back end. Without him, the Penguins would be in a much tougher spot.

Philip Tomasino’s career hasn’t exactly gone as many had envisioned when he broke into the NHL with so much promise. The speedy forward never quite found his rhythm in Nashville, and the Predators ultimately decided to move on, letting him go rather than continuing to wait on his development.

That decision speaks volumes, considering how much hype surrounded him as a prospect. Tomasino still has the tools — good hands, speed, and offensive instincts — but the big question is whether he can put it all together in a new environment.

His next chapter will be about proving that the Preds gave up too soon.

Anthony Mantha is heading into a critical stretch of his career. Once seen as a dangerous power forward with size, skill, and a heavy shot, the last few years haven’t gone as planned.

Injuries have slowed him down and chipped away at his consistency, leaving him searching for the form that once made him such a promising scorer.

This season, though, represents a chance at redemption. If Mantha can stay healthy and rediscover his rhythm, he still has the tools to make a real impact. But after several injury-plagued campaigns, the pressure is on for him to bounce back and show he can be a difference-maker again.

Rickard Rakell has always been known as a skilled winger with soft hands and a good scoring touch, but his time in Pittsburgh hasn’t been without challenges.

There have been flashes of the offensive brilliance he showed earlier in his career, yet stretches of inconsistency have left fans wanting more.

The Penguins still believe he can be a valuable secondary scorer behind their big stars, and his versatility makes him a useful piece in the lineup. But heading into the next season, Rakell will need to bring more consistency to prove that he can be a steady offensive threat and not just a player who shines in short bursts.

Bryan Rust has quietly become one of the pillars of the Pittsburgh Penguins over the years. While he’s never been the kind of player who grabs the spotlight like Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin, his value to the team has always been undeniable. Rust brings a perfect mix of speed, grit, and offensive touch, and he has a knack for scoring timely goals in critical situations. Coaches love him because he can be used in virtually any role — power play, penalty kill, or even-strength minutes against top opposition.

In recent seasons, his consistency has stood out. Even when the Penguins have struggled as a group, Rust has managed to contribute offensively while maintaining his trademark work ethic and two-way reliability.

He isn’t the youngest player on the roster anymore, but his game still translates well because of how intelligently he plays and how hard he competes. Simply put, Bryan Rust remains a glue guy in Pittsburgh: the kind of player every winning team needs, and someone the Penguins can count on night after night.

Evgeni Malkin is no longer the explosive force he once was in his prime, but calling him “old” doesn’t mean he isn’t still dangerous. At 39, he’s reached the stage of his career where the speed isn’t always there, but the skill, vision, and hands remain elite.

For years, he’s lived in Sidney Crosby’s shadow, which has often left him underrated — even though his résumé includes a Hart Trophy, multiple Art Ross wins, and three Stanley Cups.

People sometimes forget just how dominant Malkin can still be when he’s healthy and engaged. He’s the type of player who can change a game with a single shift, whether it’s by setting up a teammate with a world-class pass or ripping a goal from the top of the circle. Yes, he’s aging, but his ability to tilt the ice hasn’t disappeared. Even at this stage of his career, Malkin remains one of the most underappreciated superstars of his generation.

Sidney Crosby is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the greatest players to ever step foot on NHL ice. At 38 years old, he continues to defy time with his consistency, work ethic, and ability to elevate everyone around him. While he may not be the flashiest star in today’s league, Crosby remains the ultimate competitor — someone who leads by example, dominates in the faceoff circle, and controls the pace of the game like very few can.

He has nothing left to prove, with three Stanley Cups, multiple MVPs, and two Olympic gold medals already on his résumé. Yet, what makes him so remarkable is his hunger to keep competing at the highest level, even as the Penguins begin to show signs of decline around him.

For Pittsburgh fans, Crosby isn’t just the captain — he’s the identity of the franchise. As long as he’s on the ice, the Penguins always believe they have a chance.

Yes, he’s aging, but his ability to tilt the ice hasn’t disappeared. Even at this stage of his career, Malkin remains one of the most underappreciated superstars of his generation.