The Pittsburgh Penguins should look to improve their forward depth this off-season. When looking at their roster, it is fair to say that they could use a little bit of help in their bottom six.
Due to this, one player who the Penguins should consider pursuing this summer is Boston Bruins pending free agent Jakub Lauko.
The Boston Herald's Steve Conroy reported that Lauko's agent, JP Barry, confirmed to him that the Bruins won't be sending Lauko a qualifying offer and that he will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. With Lauko being a solid and young bottom-six winger, he could be a decent player for the Penguins to bring in for their fourth line or as an extra forward.
JP Barry, Jakub Lauko’s agent, tells me Lauko will be a UFA, Bruins apparently not tendering him a qualifying offer
— steve conroy (@conroyherald) June 29, 2025
In 56 games this season split between the Minnesota Wild and Bruins, Lauko recorded five goals, 11 points, and 119 hits. Furthermore, in 2023-24 with the Bruins, he had a career-high 176 hits. Thus, if the Penguins signed Lauko, he would undoubtedly give the Penguins much more grit in their bottom six. Furthermore, due to this speed and defensive play, Lauko would also be a potential option for the Penguins' penalty kill if signed.
Overall, with the Penguins needing more youth, bringing in a player like Lauko on a cheap one-year contract could be worthwhile. He is also still young enough where he could hit a higher level offensively, so he would have the potential be a nice pickup for a Penguins team in the middle of a retool.
NHL Rumors: Penguins Free-Agent Target Expected To Hit MarketOne of the Pittsburgh Penguins' top goals of this off-season should be to strengthen the left side of their defense. It is a major weakness on their roster right now, and they should be considering several different options to help address that.
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