# Novak's Penguins Season: Stable but Unspectacular

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pittsburgh-penguins-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7536926/novak-s-penguins-season-stable-but-unspectacular
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/pittsburgh-penguins-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7536926/novak-s-penguins-season-stable-but-unspectacular.md
Podcast: [Pittsburgh Penguins News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!](https://stenobird.com/podcast/pittsburgh-penguins-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7536926)
Published: 2026-05-14T10:10:31+00:00
Episode link: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/b99290c4-c5a2-4a1a-b646-721f1ebe3558.mp3
Audio file: https://api.fastcast.ai/audio/b99290c4-c5a2-4a1a-b646-721f1ebe3558.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/pittsburgh-penguins-news-today-2-min-news-the-daily-news-now-7536926/episodes/novak-s-penguins-season-stable-but-unspectacular
Duration seconds: 96

## Resource

Tommy Novak completed his inaugural full season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2025-2026, playing in all 82 regular season games and six playoff matches, making him the sole player to achieve this feat. The 28-year-old from St. Paul, Minnesota, amassed 16 goals, 26 assists, and 42 points, along with a plus-one rating, while being under contract for next year at $3.5 million. The Penguins acquired Novak from Nashville at the trade deadline last year, but he only played two games before an injury sidelined him. This season, he established himself as a dependable middle-six forward, adapting to various roles and positions without missing a beat. Novaks possession game earned praise from fans and analysts, as he ranked high in crucial advanced stats like expected goals for percentage (third among Penguins forwards) and was a top playmaker with assists per sixty. His neutral zone work and puck-carrying skills were noteworthy, even if the goals didnt always follow. However, his shooting luck decreased, and the playoffs proved challenging, sparking questions about his long-term fit. At $3.5 million, Novak is fairly priced for his versatility, but the Penguins must decide whether to re-sign him, trade for assets, or continue with another solid year hoping for a better finish. In summary, Novak is a frustratingly good tweener—productive enough to stay, but not a game-changer. He received a B-minus for a consistent season that met expectations, but fans and analysts hoped for more in the postseason spotlight. Support the show: Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thedn…

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