Which UFAs Should The Penguins Bring Back?

Mar 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (24) shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Although the Pittsburgh Penguins shipped out most of their unrestricted free agents before the NHL trade deadline on Mar. 7, there are still a few remaining on the roster.

There's really no telling what President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas will do in free agency this summer, but it is possible that he decides to bring back some of the UFA stragglers who are currently on the NHL roster.

So which UFAs should they keep around, and who should they let walk?

Matt Grzelcyk

Keep: Yes

This may or may not be a polarizing response, but Grzelcyk's career has found new life in Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old left defenseman has already smashed previous offensive career-highs - his 32 points so far this season have beaten his previous career-best total of 26 - and he has helped revive a pronounced-dead Penguins' power play.

Given that the Pittsburgh's left defensive corps are a bit thin as far as talent right now, it might not be the worst thing to sign him to another one- or two-year deal to help bridge the gap for the younger guys - like Owen Pickering and Emil Pieniniemi - coming up through the system.

Matt Nieto

Keep: No

Nieto's return to play this season after missing nearly an entire year with knee injuries was certainly inspiring. However, his performance over time did not warrant the Penguins keeping him on their NHL roster, as they waived him on Feb. 26.

There isn't really any reason for the Penguins to keep Nieto beyond this season, especially with some young prospects vying for roster spots in 2025-26.

Emil Bemstrom

Keep: Yes

Prior to his latest Pittsburgh call-up on Feb. 27, Bemstrom was enjoying an impressive season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS). He put up 21 goals and 46 points in 43 games and was named to the AHL All-Star Classic.

Although he will be 26 next season, Bemstrom is a good depth option to have. He is a proven AHL player and may have a bit more to offer at the NHL level. He has also been pretty effective in generating chances through a short 10-game sample this season.

Bring him back cheap, and he's a decent insurance option - especially in the event of injury or if a younger player needs to be sent back for development at some point during the season next year.

Boko Imama

Mar 21, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Bokondji Imama (14) and Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) fight during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Keep: Yes

Imama is not only a high-energy guy on the ice, he's also someone you want to have in a locker room. His teammates love him, and his positive energy is contagious.

He shouldn't be in the lineup on a nightly basis if the Penguins bring him back. There are younger players who are due for NHL opportunities, and for the type of player Imama is - one of the NHL's few true enforcers - he doesn't need to be in the lineup every night, anyway.

Imama would be fine to bring back as a 13th or 14th forward whose roster spot wouldn't really be hindering a younger player's development.

Joona Koppanen

Keep: No

Koppanen, 27, has enjoyed a pretty decent season in WBS. He registered six goals and 21 points in 53 AHL games, and his two-way conscientiousness is definitely something that has value.

But there are dozens of other Koppanens around the league, including many who are younger. If he returns on a cheap AHL-level contract, that's understandable. But he's the kind of player who - at the NHL level - might block prospects like Vasily Ponomarev, Avery Hayes, and Tristan Broz.

Forward depth in the system is never a bad thing. But bringing Koppanen back certainly isn't a "must."

Other UFA predictions:

Keep:

- C Jimmy Huntington
- RW Marc Johnstone
- D Nathan Clurman

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