Penguins A to Z: Chase Stillman is getting, and needs, a second chance

With the Pittsburgh Penguins entering the offseason for a third consecutive year without a playoff appearance, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 58 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until future seasons — with the organization.

Starting with Noel Acciari and going on through to Philip Tomasino (regrettably, there is no Z on the payroll), every player will be profiled in alphabetical order.

This series is scheduled to be published Mondays through Saturdays leading up until June 26, a day before the start of the NHL Draft. In the event of a transaction, that schedule will be altered as necessary.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Puckpedia.)

Chase Stillman

Position: Right winger

Shoots: Right

Age: 22

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 185 pounds

2024-25 AHL regular season statistics: 65 games, 12 points (four goals, eight assists)

2024-25 AHL postseason statistics: Two games, zero points (zero goals, zero assists)

Contract: In the second year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $863,334. Pending unrestricted free agent in 2026.

(Stillman does not require waivers for an assignment to a minor league affiliate.)

Acquired: Trade, March 7, 2025

This past season: Chase Stillman operates with plenty of expectations as a first-round draft pick (No. 29 overall) of the New Jersey Devils in 2021 as well as the son of former NHL forward Cory Stillman.

And he showed some signs he was able to meet those steep standards during his first professional season of 2023-24 with the Utica Comets, the Devils’ American Hockey League affiliate. In 54 games that season, Stillman posted a solid, but hardly spectacular, 24 points (14 goals, 10 assists).

But any momentum he generated in his first professional campaign did not carry over to the second.

Much of that was due to the overall ineptitude of the Comets who were winless in their first 13 games of the season (0-10-3) before firing head coach Kevin Dineen.

Stillman’s start to 2024-25 largely mirrored the team as he generated only two points (one goal, one assist) in his first 15 games while primarily operating as a right winger on the third line with some deployment on both special teams units.

Even with the coaching change, the Comets and Stillman still limped through the next three and a half months (not including a brief recall to the Devils’ roster on Feb. 18). In 46 games with Utica, Stillman generated only nine points (three goals, six assists).

Top shelf where mama hides the cookies! https://t.co/UdOT9Tq6YH pic.twitter.com/st8Lv6OgLa

— Utica Comets (@UticaComets) November 10, 2024

On the day of the trade deadline, Stillman was part of a multi-player deal and was acquired by the Penguins.

Joining Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s lineup the next day, Stillman appeared in that team’s final 19 games of the regular season, posting three points (one goal, two assists) while primarily serving as a bottom-six winger.

What a rip for Stiller’s first as a Pen! pic.twitter.com/bpgOEUTTLf

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) March 23, 2025

Skating in both of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s postseason games, Stillman had no points.

The future: This is a textbook “change of scenery” situation for Stillman. Things just weren’t working at all for him with the Devils organization. And while he is still nowhere near meeting his considerable potential, Stillman is now with a franchise that has shifted toward a more intense focus on developing prospects.

Unlike his father who was a quick and reliable 20-goal threat on the wing, Chase Stillman is more of a rambunctious energy winger who isn’t hesitant to mix things up as evidenced by his 54 penalty minutes this past season.

But there is plenty of room for refinement, particularly as a skater and with regard to his puck skills.

Stillman is getting — and needs — a second chance to meet his potential.