Penguins’ Kaedan Korczak Looks to Reach ‘Full Potential’ With New Team
· Yahoo Sports
Penguins’ Kaedan Korczak Looks to Reach ‘Full Potential’ With New Team originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit newsbetsport.bond for more information.
After increasing his production each year, resulting in a breakout 2025-26 campaign, Kaedan Korczak looks to take it to the next level with the Penguins.
The 6-foot-3 Canadian played at the junior level for the Kelowna Rockets. The Vegas Golden Knights selected him in the 2019 NHL Draft, and Vegas later traded him to the Penguins for Parker Wotherspoon.
Going younger on defense, Pittsburgh aims for the 25-year-old to make an immediate impact.
"Korczak’s a guy that we feel, with the age he's at, there's tons of upside there," Penguins Assistant GM Jason Spezza said via NHL.com. "He fits in really well with kind of that middle-aged group that we're really trying to acquire. Really solid defensively, and lots of untapped potential."
In 10 games in the 2021-22 season, Korczak had two assists. The next year he had eight assists and nine points. Each year, his stats increased, with 10 points and assists in 40 games during the 2024-25 season.
Last season, he played in 78 games and earned 13 assists and 16 points. Korczak also scored three goals. Just getting comfortable, Korczak was traded to Pittsburgh. He scored one goal and earned one assist in his Penguins "debut" in the preseason against the Red Wings.
Korczak joins a team that features veterans like Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, along with several top prospects. He has Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang on the right side of the defense depth chart. The blue liner has a chance to create chemistry with top stars while also becoming a rock for the team’s future.
"I think from where I started, I just kind of wanted to be in the mix and kind of fit in and not feel embarrassed in that sense," Korczak said. "Now it’s just kind of settling down, and the game has slowed down for myself. I felt last year I really took steps towards how I want to play in this league.
"With the opportunity here, I think I’ll be able to reach more of my full potential here coming up."