The 2024‑25 campaign marked a turning point for the Pittsburgh Penguins, as the franchise saw 29 players exit the roster by season’s end, a turnover that reshaped the team’s composition and future direction.
Among the most notable departures was the mid‑season trade of Jake Guentzel, a longtime offensive anchor, which brought back a package that included prospect forward Ville Koivunen, goaltender Vasily Ponomarev, forward Cruz Lucius, veteran Michael Bunting and a second‑round draft pick.
The ripple effects were immediate for several of the players who moved on. Matt Grzelczyk, who had posted a 40‑point season in Pittsburgh, managed only 12 points in 69 appearances for the Chicago Blackhawks, illustrating the challenges of replicating that output elsewhere.
Valtteri Puustinen’s journey took him to Colorado in January 2026, where he spent the remainder of the year in the AHL before signing a contract in Sweden, a path that diverged from his initial NHL expectations.
Philip Tomasino’s trade to Philadelphia in December 2025 preceded a one‑year, $900,000 deal with the Ottawa Senators, a move that reflected both the market’s valuation and the player’s desire for a fresh start.
Varied fortunes across the league
Tristan Jarry’s relocation to Edmonton proved equally turbulent; in 19 games he posted a .858 save percentage, prompting the Oilers to keep three goalies in rotation and raising questions about his long‑term fit.
In contrast, Cody Glass emerged as a bright spot for the New Jersey Devils, delivering 19 goals and 26 points in a season that underscored his growth after leaving Pittsburgh.
Vincent Desharnais leveraged his brief Pittsburgh stint into a four‑year, $16.8 million contract with the Washington Capitals, effectively doubling his previous earnings.
Michael Bunting, after being dealt to Nashville near the 2025 deadline, continued his 30‑point production, confirming that his offensive contributions were not tied to any single system.
Anthony Beauvillier also found a resurgence with the Capitals, improving to 15 goals and 28 points, up from 13 goals and 20 points in 63 games for the Penguins.
Drew O’Connor’s transition to Vancouver yielded 17 goals and 29 points, slightly above his career averages and suggesting a successful adaptation to a new environment.
Marcus Pettersson’s trade to the New York Rangers fetched a 2030 first‑round pick, and the defenseman has since proven himself a reliable presence on the Rangers’ blue line.
Alex Nedeljkovic’s stint with the San Jose Sharks resulted in a .896 save percentage across 40 games, a respectable figure that kept him in the NHL’s competitive pool.
Finally, Vasily Ponomarev returned to the KHL, logging 55 games for Omsk Avangard and contributing 25 points, including 14 goals, during the 2024‑25 season.