As we approach the 2016-17 season, we’re previewing what’s ahead for each of the 30 NHL teams. Here’s what’s on deck for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
MAIN SUMMER HEADLINES
• Penguins, Stanley Cup, visit the White House
• Matt Murray injured at World Cup, to miss 3-to-6 weeks
• Kessel brings Stanley Cup to Sick Kids in Toronto
Head coach: Mike Sullivan
GM: Jim Rutherford
Team payroll: $75.59 million ($73 million salary cap)
2015-16 Record: 48-26-8 (Second in Metro)
GF: 245 (Third in NHL)
GA: 203 (Seventh in NHL)
Result: Won the Stanley Cup
Acquisitions: Stuart Percy, David Warsofsky, Lukas Bengtsson
Key departures: Jeff Zatkoff, Ben Lovejoy, Beau Bennett
Rookies To Watch: It’s going to be awfully tough — or even impossible — for a rookie to crack this roster for a regular job this season. Basically, the Penguins are bringing the entire roster from last year’s Stanley Cup champs back for another run. The most obvious choice of a rookie who could crack the opening night roster is goaltender Tristan Jarry, but he’d only be there to back up Marc-Andre Fleury while Matt Murray recovers from his broken hand. Jarry was picked in the second round (44th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft and spent last season in the AHL — his first as a pro after moving on from the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. In 33 games with the Baby Pens in Wilkes-Barre, Jarry had 17 wins, a .905 save percentage and a 2.69 GAA. If he plays well, it would at least make the Pens feel better about moving one of their two goalies within the next year.
Another rookie of note is defenceman Lukas Bengtsson, who signed with the Penguins from Frolunda of the Swedish League. By all accounts, the 22-year-old had a strong rookie camp, but has missed training camp with an illness, so he’s bound for the AHL. At 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, Bengtsson is a strong skater and puck-mover — and a player to watch if the Penguins get hit hard with the injury bug this season.
Pittsburgh will have a successful season if…
The Penguins could have been Presidents’ Trophy winners last season had they not started the season so slowly. The hiring of Mike Sullivan in December was the move needed to turn the season around. The Penguins bring back the same roster, so they should have a successful season as long as they can stay relatively healthy. But, certainly, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Olli Maatta and Kris Letang — four very important players to the team — have been susceptible to injuries in the past. That’s a big factor here. If a couple key players drop, so too will the Penguins hopes of a repeat, naturally.
The Penguins also have something that not a lot of other teams do, which could help them overcome rough stretches or injuries. The depth of superstar power on this roster is almost unrivalled in the NHL. How many other teams can boast three lines with talent equivalent to Crosby, Malkin and Kessel? You have to imagine Kessel is in line to improve on a 26-goal season with a better start and Crosby looked great and fresh at the World Cup — he could have a Patrick Kane-like season and run away with the Art Ross Trophy. You can’t rule it out (and you can’t rule out Malkin doing it either) — that would be huge for the Penguins.
Pittsburgh will have an unsuccessful season if…
On paper, the Penguins don’t seem to have the best collection of blue liners, so it’s worth watching to see if that catches up to them. Again, the health of Maatta and Letang is crucial here. Justin Schultz got great reviews in the playoffs, but given his track record you have to wonder how he will hold up over 82 games. Ian Cole also has to be somewhat of a concern here.
But what’s an unsuccessful season for the Penguins? Missing the playoffs? Being eliminated in Round 1? Looking at this roster, it’s unlikely they’ll miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs completely, so the floor is still pretty solid for the defending champs.
