Penguins Acquire Kaedan Korczak from Golden Knights in Exchange for Parker Wotherspoon The Pittsburgh Penguins completed a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, acquiring defenseman Kaedan Korczak in exchange for defenseman Parker Wotherspoon. The deal includes the Penguins retaining 50% of Wotherspoon’s $1 million salary cap hit, while Korczak, entering his first season under a four-year contract with a $3.25 million cap hit, will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2030. The transaction marks a significant shift for both teams, reshaping their defensive depth and future plans. Korczak, a 25-year-old right-handed shot, appeared in 78 games for the Golden Knights during the 2025 season, tallying 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) while averaging 15 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time per contest. His performance included 102 hits, sixth-most on the team, and a notable 27 seconds of short-handed time. During the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final run, he played 13 games, recording three assists, though he was a healthy scratch for nine postseason contests. A second-round draft pick (No. 41 overall) in 2019, Korczak has spent his entire professional career with the Golden Knights, including parts of five NHL seasons. Wotherspoon, 28, signed with the Penguins as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2025, agreeing to a two-year contract. During his single season with Pittsburgh, he played 80 games, setting career highs in goals (three), assists (27), and points (30). His average ice time of 20:10 per game ranked him second on the team in hits (162), and he was frequently paired with right-handed defenseman Erik Karlsson on the top pairing. The Penguins’ salary cap is now projected to have $35.#pittsburgh_penguins #erik_karlsson #vegas_golden_knights #kaedan_korczak #parker_wotherspoon
Pens Points: Back to Raleigh we go The Pittsburgh Penguins have maintained a strong performance despite the absence of key players Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. A significant contributor to their recent success has been defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has delivered some of his best performances in a Pittsburgh jersey. Karlsson’s consistent play has helped stabilize the team’s defense, allowing the Penguins to remain competitive in their current standings. Malkin, however, has hinted at future discussions regarding his contract. During a post-game interview following a 7-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, Malkin stated that he and general manager Kyle Dubas plan to revisit his contract situation after the season. Both parties have agreed to delay any formal talks until the summer, prioritizing the completion of the current campaign. Malkin also expressed his intention to continue playing, potentially extending his career beyond the current season by another two years. The team’s forward depth faces a challenge with the injury to forward Blake Lizotte. The Penguins announced on Tuesday that Lizotte will miss an extended period and will undergo a re-evaluation in approximately four weeks. His absence could test the team’s ability to maintain offensive consistency, particularly in the bottom-six forward positions. Beyond the Penguins, the NHL has seen several notable developments. Edmonton Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season after sustaining a lower-body injury. The Oilers will need to adjust their offensive strategy without one of their most dynamic players. At the NHL General Managers’ meetings, former enforcer George Parros took the opportunity to address the Department of Player Safety.#evgeni_malkin #pittsburgh_penguins #sidney_crosby #erik_karlsson #kyle_dubas
