Connor Dewar was a third-round pick of the Minnesota Wild back in 2018, but during stints in both Minnesota and Toronto, he struggled to find his footing in a significant role in the NHL. Then, he was acquired by the Pittsburgh Penguins in a deal with the Maple Leafs for a fifth-round pick, and finally, he found what works for him at the top level.
In 17 games after arriving in Pittsburgh in 2024-25, Dewar posted 4 goals and 7 points, and this past season in a significant bottom-six role, he posted career highs across the board. With 14 goals, 30 points and a +16 differential in 78 games played, Dewar showed just how important he is to the Penguins, and after two goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he solidified that fact.
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Now, the team have made the obvious call to keep the 26-year old around, as they have officially announced a two-year extension for the talented forward who has seemingly found a home in Pittsburgh.
The two-year deal comes with an AAV of $2.25 million, and with question marks over other pieces in the forward group, this deal was a no-brainer for both Dewar and the organization.
This deal comes on the back of a surprise season for the Penguins, as they bounced back into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, despite many having them as a lottery team heading into the 2025-26 season. There's still plenty of work for GM Kyle Dubas and the front office to do if this team is to take another step forward, but with how valuable Dewar is and the rising salary cap, this was a good piece of business all around.
