PensBurgh’s 2026 edition of the Top 25 Under 25 countdown rolls on with a lottery ticket defenseman that joined the organization at the end of the 2025-26 season.
Catch up on the previous entries for this year:
Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25: Graduates and Departed players in 2025 Top 25 Under 25: The best of the rest #25: Chase Pietila, D #24: Ryan Miller, F #23: Finn Harding, D #22: Peyton Kettles, D #21: Zam Plante, F #21 (bonus): Brady Peddle, D #20: Melvin Fernstrom, F #19: Tanner Howe #18: Tomas Galvas
#17: Pierce Mbuyi
#16: Jake Livanavage, D
2025 Ranking: n/a
Age: 22 (May 6, 2004)
Acquired via: Signed as undrafted free agent
Height/weight: 5’10”, 185 lbs
Defenseman Jake Livanavage was one of the more sought after undrafted free agents that was available late last season, and the Penguins were able to snag him after he completed his collegiate career at North Dakota. It never hurts to take fliers on talented players that may have snuck through the cracks, and Livanavage certainly has the skill and production to be a potential diamond in the rough.
The undrafted free agent path has a wide range of potential outcomes, and while it’s rare for one of these guys to become a top-line or top-pairing player, you can still find some good value if you get lucky and bring the player along correctly.
Livanavage was always a worthy gamble for the Penguins.
Not only because you can never have too many defensemen in your organization, but also because the Penguins have a serious long-term need on the left side of their defense.
When it comes to the NHL roster, their left-side remains one of the bigger weaknesses on the roster, with only Sam Girard, free agent acquisition Declan Carlile, Ilya Solovyov and veteran Ryan Graves possessing a left-handed shot. Trevor van Riemsdyk is capable of playing on the left side, but it’s his offside as a right-handed shot. It’s not exactly a deep depth chart, and that remains true when you get down into the farm system.
Owen Pickering plays on the left side, but his development has hit a bit of a plateau for the time being. Tomas Galvas possesses a left-shot, but he was just drafted this past year and has never played a game in North America. He’s probably a ways off.
What I’m trying to say here is that when Livanavage was looking for a potential pathway toward the NHL, he probably saw an opportunity here that could get him into the show a little faster.
Not only as the Penguins attempt to find younger talent anywhere they can, but also because the depth chart lines up well with a potential opportunity for a young, talented player.
He comes to the Penguins with a reputation of being a strong two-way defender that is a capable defender in his own end, while also possessing the skating and puck skills to contribute offensively. He recorded at least 25 points in each of his three full seasons at North Dakota
His skating is definitely one of his strengths.
If there is a knock on him at this point, it’s the same problem that has existed with a lot of Penguins players, and especially defensemen, over the years — size and strength. Livanage said back at the Penguins prospect development camp that his goal this summer has been to get bigger and stronger, and that he has put on 15 pounds this offseason.
“This summer it’s just been getting bigger and stronger — being able to play against men,” Livanavage said. “Coming out and working as hard as I can, being ready for a training camp from the first day. I feel good right now. Super excited to get going.”
Shortly after signing, Livanavage had an opportunity to play one game for the Penguins, logging more than 25 minutes of ice-time in their meaningless regular season finale. He took some lumps in that game, but that was also probably to be expected given the circumstances.
While he will almost certainly have a chance to make the opening night roster, especially given the state of the depth chart on the left side, he seems destined to start the season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. But that does not mean he will not be in Pittsburgh at some point, even for a limited look. Keep in mind the Penguins used 15 different defenseman a year ago, 13 the year before, and nine the year before that. They will probably be somewhere in that same range this season. People will get hurt. People will get traded. Some people will not be as good as you hope or will struggle. There are going to be opportunities.
The Penguins are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to trying to find young talent. They have made 25 draft picks over the past three years, including nine in the first two-rounds of those drafts. As of now they have 23 draft picks over the next three years, including 10 in the first two rounds. That is a lot of picks, and a lot of higher picks. They have also been trying to trade for players in their early-to-mid-20s in the hopes that they break out and take big steps in their development after getting to Pittsburgh. Those are the expected paths for finding talent. Every once in a while, though, you can find a player that contributes in the undrafted free agent ranks. Livanavage has a long way to go before he becomes one of those players, but he is certainly one of the more interesting undrafted free agent signings they have made in recent seasons.
