Novak Extends With Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins Sign Forward Tommy Novak to Three-Year Extension for Future Stability
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Key Points
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The contract is structured as a three-year extension that begins with the 2027-28 season and runs through the 2029-30 season, keeping Novak under Penguins control into the late 2020s.
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Novak publicly expressed that remaining in Pittsburgh mattered to him, telling NHL.com that 'This is somewhere that I really wanted to be.'
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Novak has an injury history with a stress fracture early in his Penguins tenure, which caused him to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, highlighting the durability factor teams consider with extended commitments.
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Beyond scoring, Novak is valued for possession impact and transition play, contributing as a versatile middle-six forward who can drive play and support Pittsburgh’s structure.
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There are inconsistencies in reported last-season point totals across outlets (some list 16 goals and 26 points, others 16 goals and 42 points), underscoring how initial coverage can vary on a player's numbers.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have locked up forward Tommy Novak on a three-year contract extension worth $4.65 million per season, totaling roughly $13.95 million, according to WPXI and Yahoo Sports. The deal runs from 2027-28 through the 2029-30 season, keeping Novak under contract well into the next chapter of Penguins hockey.
Novak, 29, would have hit unrestricted free agency next summer without a new deal. Instead, he stays in Pittsburgh, where he told NHL.com, "This is somewhere that I really wanted to be."
Novak Posts Career-Best Season After Injury Setback
Novak's path to a new deal was not smooth. He suffered a stress fracture just two games into his Penguins tenure and missed the rest of the 2024-25 season, according to Weirton Daily Times. That kind of injury early in a new team's tenure raises questions about durability for any front office.
He answered those questions in a big way. In 2025-26, Novak played all 82 games and scored 16 goals with 42 points — his best output since the 2023-24 season. That full, healthy season made his case for a new contract hard to argue against.
$4.65 Million AAV Locks In a Reliable Middle-Six Forward
The Penguins are paying $4.65 million per year — a middle-of-the-road price for a player at Novak's level. WCCS Radio noted he was the only member of the team's forward group to play all 82 games last season. That kind of availability has real value for a team managing roster depth.
Novak is valued beyond just his point totals. He helps the team control the puck and move well in transition. He can play center or wing, giving Pittsburgh flexibility up and down its lineup. That versatility matters more as the team shifts away from its star-driven core.
Extension Fits Penguins' Plan for Post-Crosby Era
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are not getting younger. The Penguins know they need reliable pieces in place as that era winds down. Signing Novak through 2029-30 gives the team a known contributor during what could be a major transition period, according to Yahoo Sports.
The move is not a splashy bet. It is a steady one. At $4.65 million annually, the Penguins are not overpaying for a franchise player. They are paying a fair price for a forward who shows up, plays hard, and fills a real role. That fits their current approach to roster building.
Timing Gives Pittsburgh Leverage Before Free Agency Rush
By signing Novak now, the Penguins avoid a summer bidding war. He would have been an unrestricted free agent next July, meaning other teams could have made offers. Getting the deal done early keeps that from happening and gives both sides certainty, WPXI reported.
For Novak, the security is clear. For Pittsburgh, the math works. Three years at under $5 million per season for a versatile, durable forward is a low-risk move. It signals the Penguins want to stay competitive — not rebuild from scratch — as they plan for life after their legendary core.
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