Free agency begins today in the NHL and the Penguins yesterday extended only one qualifying offer to a pending restricted free agent. That was forward Vasily Ponamarev, who has already signed a three-year contract to play in his native Russia, but whose NHL rights will remain with the Pens.
The two biggest restricted free agents who will become unrestricted at noon today are forwards Philip Thomasino and Connor Dewar. President of hockey operations Kyle Dubas said yesterday the team is negotiating contract extensions with both.
The Penguins also did not extend qualifying offers to defenseman P.O. Joseph, forwards Emil Bemstrom and Raivis Ansons, or goaltender Taylor Gauthier. They will all become unrestricted free agents, joining two players who are already unrestricted, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and forward Matt Nieto.
Dubas doesn’t expect to be extra busy in free agency. He knows the kind of player he wants to find…young and not seeking a long-term contract.
Dubas says he is looking for short-term deals with young players while he rebuilds the Penguins’ system.
Dubas was asked about Evgeni Malkin, who will be entering his twentieth season with the Penguins this year, the final year of his contract. He said the team will sit down and talk with Malkin during the NHL’s Olympics break to determine a direction for the rest of his NHL career.
DEVELOPMENT CAMP
The Penguins have announced the roster for their prospect development camp and it includes all thirteen of their draft picks this season. Fifty-two players have been invited to the camp, which begins Thursday in Cranberry.
Development camp kicks off Thursday, July 3, and will consist of five days of on-ice and off-ice sessions split among three groups. The camp wraps up with a tournament on July 7. All on-ice sessions, including the tournament, are open to the public and free of charge.
The roster:
2025 Development Camp Roster Final
The schedule for the Penguins’ 2025 Development Camp:
Thursday, July 3:
9:00 AM – Goalie On-Ice Session (Covestro Rink)
10:00 AM – Team Stevens Skating (FedEx Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Stevens Skills (Covestro Rink)
10:00 AM – Team Patrick Skating (FedEx Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Patrick Skills (Covestro Rink)
12:00 PM – Team Johnston Skating (FedEx Rink)
1:00 PM – Team Johnston Skills (Covestro Rink)
Friday, July 4:
9:00 AM – Goalie On-Ice Session (Covestro Rink)
10:00 AM – Team Patrick Skating (FedEx Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Patrick Skills (Covestro Rink)
11:00 AM – Team Johnston Skating (FedEx Rink)
12:00 PM – Team Johnston Skills (Covestro Rink)
12:00 PM – Team Stevens Skating (FedEx Rink)
1:00 PM – Team Stevens Skills (Covestro Rink)
Saturday, July 5:
10:00 AM – Team Johnston Skating/Skills (Both Rinks)
11:45 AM – Team Stevens Skating/Skills (Both Rinks)
1:30 PM – Team Patrick Skating/Skills (Both Rinks)
Sunday, July 6:
10:00 AM – Team Stevens/Team Patrick Practice (FedEx Rink)
10:00 AM – Team Johnston Skills (Covestro Rink)
10:30 AM – Team Stevens/Team Johnston Practice (FedEx Rink)
10:30 AM – Team Patrick Skills (Covestro Rink)
11:20 AM – Team Patrick/Team Johnston Practice (FedEx Rink)
11:20 AM – Team Stevens Skills (Covestro Rink)
Monday, July 7:
12:00 PM – Tournament (FedEx Rink)
