2026-27 Pittsburgh Penguins Player Projections: Trevor van Riemsdyk

August 31, 2026 - 09:25

When the Pittsburgh Penguins dipped into the free agent market this summer, they were looking for reliability rather than flash. Trevor van Riemsdyk fit that description perfectly. The veteran defenseman was brought in to add depth and a steady presence to a blue line that has seen better days. Now, with the 2026-27 season on the horizon, the question is not whether he will make the team, but how much of an impact he can actually have.

Van Riemsdyk is not going to put up big offensive numbers. That is not his game. He is a stay-at-home defender who reads the play well and keeps things simple in his own zone. His value comes from being in the right position and making the first pass out of trouble. For a Penguins team that has struggled with defensive breakdowns in recent years, that kind of calm approach is welcome.

The projection for his season is modest. Expect him to slot in as a third-pairing defenseman, likely killing penalties and taking on tough defensive zone starts. He should see around 16 to 18 minutes a night, depending on injuries and matchups. Offensively, a realistic stat line would be somewhere in the range of two goals and ten assists over the full season. That might not excite anyone in fantasy hockey, but it is not meant to.

What matters more is his ability to stay healthy and be a reliable option for the coaching staff. If he can do that, he will be a solid addition. If he struggles, the Penguins will have a problem, because there is not much proven depth behind him. For now, the early read is that van Riemsdyk gives the team a safe, dependable option on the back end. That is exactly what they need.