What happened: Kaedan Korczak, acquired by the Penguins from Vegas in the Parker Wotherspoon deal, is entering the first year of a four-year, $3.25 million-per-year contract. The 25-year-old defenseman posted three goals and 16 points in 78 games with the Golden Knights during the 2025-26 season. Pittsburgh also signed 2026 draft pick Tomas Galvas to an entry-level contract as it reshapes its blue line.

Why it matters: Korczak ranked in the 93rd percentile for 5v5 defense and posted a 59.4% high-danger chance share, the best mark among Golden Knights defensemen, including Shea Theodore. With Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang still under contract, Korczak projects to open on Pittsburgh's third pair, potentially alongside Declan Carlile, while gaining a path to a bigger role as Karlsson enters his final contract year.

What to watch: Watch for Korczak's penalty-kill usage to grow once the 2026-27 season opens in September, and for how head coach Dan Muse sorts the third pairing among Korczak, Carlile and the rest of Pittsburgh's revamped defense corps.