Penguins' Justin Brazeau earning keep as top-6 winger to begin season

In 95 NHL appearances prior to joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, the scoring touch demonstrated by Justin Brazeau would best be described as modest.

An undrafted free agent signed by the Bruins in early 2024, Brazeau scored 10 goals in 57 games for the Bruins last season before being traded to Minnesota, where he managed one more in 19 contests with the Wild.

Given that track record, Brazeau had to be pretty pleased at scoring four goals in as many games to begin his tenure with the Penguins, right?

“It’s been a good start, but it’s only (a few) games,” Brazeau said. “It’s a long season. I’ve got to find ways to keep doing it every game.”

Brazeau, 27, isn’t pausing too long to bask in his own glory at this early juncture of the season.

Yet his contributions have been notable, with the 6-foot-6 winger forming a heavyweight line to begin the season alongside franchise pillar Evgeni Malkin (6-5) and fellow first-year Penguins forward Anthony Mantha (6-5).

When he signed a two-year, $3 million deal with the Penguins on July 1, the opening day of the NHL free agency period, Brazeau had a hunch he’d be put in position during training camp to earn a prominent role.

Skating next to Malkin constitutes just that, and so far, Brazeau has earned his keep in a top-six capacity.

“Just the opportunity to get a chance to maybe play with some better players and elevate my role, from (Penguins management) having seen my role before and kind of knowing what I could potentially be,” Brazeau said. “Obviously, I have to prove that, (but) I think it was just a good fit for me that way.”

Brazeau alluded to the familiarity that president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle Dubas long has had with him.

It was Dubas, then leading Toronto’s front office, who signed Brazeau to his first professional contract with the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, in 2019-20.

Though Brazeau eventually joined the Bruins organization after parts of two seasons in Toronto’s minor-league system, when Dubas reached out over the summer, Brazeau saw it as a demonstration of faith in his potential.

“He sees that I can be more,” Brazeau said of Dubas.

So far, Brazeau’s team-leading four goals (excluding an empty-netter in the season opener against the New York Rangers on Oct. 7) have come from close range.

Brazeau scored the Penguins’ first goal of the season in New York last week, beating Igor Shesterkin on a backhand after Malkin fed him the puck at the crease following a faceoff.

Justin Brazeau with the nifty mitts in tight for the first goal of the game! ???????? pic.twitter.com/ZLTiWT2YzF

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 8, 2025

Then, on Oct. 9, Brazeau scored the winner against the Islanders at home on another backhander, finishing up close.

Justin Brazeau has three goals in two games this season ???? pic.twitter.com/1ge3sISava

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 10, 2025

Brazeau netted goal No. 4 only 63 seconds after the Penguins’ late-night puck drop at Anaheim on Tuesday as he deflected a Ryan Shea shot on goal from atop the left faceoff circle.

Justin Brazeau with a screen deflection in front of Dostál off Ryan Shea shot 63 seconds in and Penguins are up 1-0, Jacob Trouba missing his man on this one pic.twitter.com/eBLUdTYSTS

— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) October 15, 2025

While Brazeau doesn’t plan on being a slouch when it comes to putting shots on net from distance, operating around the crease is how he anticipates making the majority of his impact.

“It’s definitely probably a lot more around the net,” Brazeau said. “I think some people don’t get there enough, and I think I’m a player who I love to be around the net. I love taking that contact, making sure I’m in the hard areas. If I’m doing that, that’s when I’m at my best.

“If given the chance, off the rush, I think I can shoot the puck and score. But I don’t think I’m going to be scoring 20 goals shooting the puck. If I’m scoring 20 goals, it will be in those hard areas with a couple of those (shots from the perimeter) mixed in.”

Brazeau admitted to not being the most bruising player in terms of looking to constantly deliver crushing hits.

But with his size comes advantages in winning puck battles, maintaining possession and getting his hands dirty along the boards.

Through a handful of games, Brazeau’s primary objective is keeping the goals coming, a task he can achieve.

“That’s one thing in my game, that if I get a chance to score, I think I have the ability to score goals,” he said. “It’s something that if I’m given the opportunity, I can do.”