PreseasonPenguins
Penguins open preseason September 21 vs. Buffalo — roster battles heat up
Pittsburgh's first preseason game is one week away as Koivunen, Novak, Malkin, and a deep forward group compete for spots in the new-look lineup.
PittsburghSportz Staff·September 13, 2026·5 min read
The Pittsburgh Penguins open their 2026-27 preseason on September 21 against the Buffalo Sabres at PPG Paints Arena, with one week remaining for players to make their case for opening-night roster spots.
Key questions heading into camp include how Ville Koivunen (8-year, $32M extension) and Thomas Novak (3-year extension) fit alongside Evgeni Malkin, who returns on a one-year $5.5M deal for his 21st season.
The regular season opens September 30 at Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is widely expected to compete for a playoff spot after finishing with 98 points in 2025-26.