What happened: Pittsburgh added talent via trades and free agency this offseason, pushing holdovers such as Jones, Hallander and Graves toward the roster's fringe. Jones broke an ankle in October, then drew a 20-game suspension for a performance-enhancing substance before season-ending shoulder surgery in April. Hallander opened last season on Sidney Crosby's line before a puck strike caused a blood clot that ended his year in November.
Why it matters: The Penguins dressed 40 different skaters last season, meaning real NHL and waiver stakes ride on each of these roster spots. Graves enters a fourth season in Pittsburgh coming off his worst year yet, with no coaching change in place to spark a return to the form he last showed with the Devils in 2022-23.
By the numbers: Jones played seven NHL games last season with one assist before his suspension and shoulder surgery. Hallander appeared in 13 games, tallying one goal and four points, before the blood clot ended his season in November. Graves was waived twice during 2025-26, his worst season since arriving in Pittsburgh.
What to watch: Jones' surgery carries a 4-6 month recovery window that could keep him out of training camp. Waiver decisions on all three figure to follow camp cuts.