3 Pittsburgh Penguins Who Won't Be Back Next Season: Post Trade Deadline Fallout

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set up very nicely in the next few drafts, but with Sidney Crosby and company still on the team, they have to find a way to be more competitive. The Penguins have been one of the most active teams this season with trades and it doesn't seem like they are done making upgrades before the start of next season.

Matt Nieto

Matt Nieto was waived this season and is a UFA this summer. That is the clearest indication that he is going to be moving on as the Penguins have many better players, young and old, that can fill the spot in the lineup. Nieto scored a goal and recorded three points this season in 31 games. He was not a part of the solution and won't be next season if he finds another NHL job.

Bokondji Imama

Bokondji Imama isn't an NHL player. He has played less than 5:30 of ice time through 12 games this season and has no points. He is a placeholder while the young talent doing well in the AHL can continue to do so instead of being on a team near the bottom of the standings in the NHL with a lesser role. Players like Ville Koivunen, Vasiliy Ponomarev, Rutger McGroarty, Samuel Poulin, and Valtteri Puustinen will all be battling for spots on the team and could all be part of the future, unlike the 28-year-old Imama.

Matt Grzelcyk

Matt Grzelcyk hasn't done a bad job this season on the Penguins, but like with what is happening up front, there are players that will be pushing for more playing time in the NHL, most importantly, Owen Pickering. With mid-season adds like Connor Timmins who has done well so far, the Penguins should be fine with letting Grzelcyk walk in free agency this summer.