The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t necessarily have detailed designs on how to use forward Tommy Novak when they traded for him from the Nashville Predators on March 5.
But plenty of intrigue existed over what he could offer as a center.
“We like Tommy’s ability to control play, generate scoring chances for himself and others, and produce at even strength,” Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas wrote in an e-mail to local outlets the night of the transaction. “He has been on our priority list for a few years now here and we feel his mobility, playmaking and production as a center provides us a great option in the years ahead.”
Novak wound up being an option for the Penguins’ lineup for only two games last season. Four days after the trade, he suffered a stress fracture in a leg and wound up missing the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
As for the current season, a healthy Novak has found a pretty steady gig as a left winger. Of the 28 games he has played in 2025-26, 24 have seen him open play on the port side.
What has varied, however, is what line he’s been on.
Predominantly deployed on the left wing of the third line in the early stages of the season, he has enjoyed sporadic promotions to the top two lines.
At the moment, he is working on the top line with Sidney Crosby as his center. That station has helped him piece together a tidy four-game scoring streak (three goals, two assists).
“Super fun to play with a guy so smart,” Novak said Tuesday following a morning skate in Cranberry. “For me, just try to work for him, keep plays alive and try to get it to him as much as possible. I thought we had some good shifts. Obviously, we can get better for sure.”
Novak’s fifth goal of the season came Tuesday during a 4-3 home shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks. He utilized a tactic Crosby might have resorted to by playing a rebound off the backside of goaltender Ville Husso and getting a deflection into the cage.
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In total, Novak has seven points (three goals, four assists) in his past six games. That surge accounts for half of the 14 points (five goals, nine assists) he has accumulated this season.
“Tommy’s playing well,” Penguins coach Dan Muse said. “You can see he’s attacking the game with the puck. He’s making plays. He’s playing well at both ends of the ice. He’s a guy that, if you go out throughout the course of the year, he’s gotten a lot of chances. He’s been pretty consistent in terms of getting those areas. I think he’s getting to the inside even more.
“He’s getting a lot more looks from right around the net. And so, we’re happy with his play.”
Novak is more than happy to be skating with Crosby, to say nothing of linemate Bryan Rust, for the time being. It’s a dream assignment. But also a demanding one.
“Just try to find spots on the ice where they need (a passing option),” Novak said. “Sid likes to go where he likes to go. Just try to fill in around it. Also, try to bring my strengths too. It’s definitely a learning experience. Just work hard to get pucks back for him for the most part is what I focus on. Try to skate and support and work.”
Novak has also worked this season with centers Evgeni Malkin (currently designated to injured reserve) and rookie Ben Kindel, and is used to being moved around the lineup.
“I haven’t had too many instances where I’m on the same line for a whole season,” Novak said. “Some of these guys, they’re stapled together. But I’m used to it. It’s been fun to play with different guys. I try to morph my game around who I’m playing with. It’s been fun to be able to play with a lot of these guys.”
Interestingly, being deployed as often as he has on the left wing is relatively new. Before being traded last season, he opened only 17 games at left wing for the Predators (and 35 at center).
Life on the left is still something a learning process but it looks like it’s working as hoped for the time being.
“I’m getting used to it more, being used to playing on the walls and playing on the wing,” Novak said. “It’s been an adjustment, but I feel like I’m learning and getting better.”
Notes: Penguins rookie forward Sam Poulin was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Wednesday. … The Penguins had a scheduled day off Wednesday.