The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are once again favourites to repeat for the third straight year even after many key pieces left during the off season. With Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, they have the best one-two punch down the middle and to go along with them is a group of good wingers and young defencemen, as well as the league's best young goalie in Matt Murray. The Pens will be in the playoffs; the only question that remains is if they will have a three-peat.
Arrivals/Departures
Arrivals: Antti Niemi, Matt Hunwick, Ryan Reaves, Greg McKegg, Zach Trotman, Jarred Tinordi
Departures: Marc-Andre Fleury, Nick Bonino, Trevor Daley, Chris Kunitz, Matt Cullen, Ron Hainsey, Mark Streit, Oskar Sundqvist, David Warsofsky, Steve Oleksy, Kevin Porter, Cameron Gaunce
Forwards:
Sidney Crosby is once again the best player in the world after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups and Conn Smythe trophies so the Penguins will be contenders as long as them have him. They also have Evgeni Malkin as the number-two center who is another one of the league's best players as he produces points as well as anyone. Phil Kessel has rejuvenated his career with the Pens as he put up 70 points last season forming one of the best second lines alongside of Evgeni Malkin. Jake Guentzel was the Penguins' best player during the finals as the rookie scored 13 goals in 25 playoff games; he was also outstanding during the regular season where he finished with 33 points in 40 games but this year he will have higher expectations surrounding him. Patric Hornqvist was demoted in the finals finishing the season on the fourth line but despite that he scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal so he will be around for another years on Crosby's right wing. Conor Sheary had a very good season alongside Crosby finishing with an impressive 53 points in 61 games but because of Gunetzel's performance, he will probably be dropped down to Malkin's and Kessel's line. Last year's surprise playoff rookie Bryan Rust was once again good for the Pens in the post-season finishing with very similar playoff stats. Rust has proven he is ready for a bigger role in the top nine for the 2017-18 season. Carl Hagelin had a rough season only scoring six goals but because of the speed he exhibits, he should once again be a top-six forward. The third-line center is the team's biggest question as Nick Bonino is gone but Carter Rowney should be able to step into the spot based on last year's sample-size performance. The Penguins finally brought in an enforcer to protect Crosby in Ryan Reaves but Reaves can do more than fight as he added seven goals from the Blues' fourth line. Scott Wilson was decent during his rookie season so he should have a spot on the fourth line for the upcoming season. Dominik Simon will take over the fourth-line center role but he only has five NHL games to his credit. Tom Kuhnhackl and Josh Archibald will likely be the depth forwards but Daniel Sprong may also compete for a spot.
Defencemen:
The most impressive thing about the Penguins Cup this past June was that they were missing their number-one defenceman, Kris Letang, for half of the regular season and every playoff game. Letang is one of the premier offensive defenceman in the NHL as he continued to produce in limited time last season but it will be interesting to see how he recovers from his injury. Olli Maatta will be Letang's partner on the top pair but even after leading the defence in the playoffs, he would be better suited on the second pair. After four terrible seasons with the Oilers, Justin Schultz's career has been turned around thanks to his offensive skill which allowed him to contribute 51 points. Brian Dumoulin has also transformed into a reliable top-four defenceman as he replaced Letang during the playoff run. Matt Hunwick was brought in during free agency top provide good veteran experience on the bottom pair after playing a lot more than was expected in Toronto. The last spot on the defence will be a competition between Ian Cole who has played OK with the Penguins or Derrick Pouliot who seems to be the odd man out every year. If Pouliot does not crack the roster this season, his time in Pittsburgh will likely be done. Chad Ruhwedel could also compete with Cole and Pouliot for the seventh spot but it is unlikely.
Goaltending:
Matt Murray is the future of NHL goaltenders as he won the Stanley Cup in both of his first years alongside Marc-Andre Fleury. Murray will have to take the next step as he will have no insurance policy behind him like he had during his first two seasons. Murray should be fine though as he plays well when pressure comes around. Antti Niemi will be the backup after disappointing in Dallas.
Projected Lineup:
Jake Guentzel
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Sidney Crosby
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Patric Hornqvist
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Conor Sheary
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Evgeni Malkin
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Phil Kessel
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Carl Hagelin
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Carter Rowney
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Bryan Rust
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Scott Wilson
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Dominik Simon
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Ryan Reaves
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Tom Kuhnhackl
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Greg McKegg
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Josh Archibald
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Olli Maatta
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Kris Letang
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Brian Dumoulin
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Justin Schultz
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Ian Cole
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Matt Hunwick
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Derrick Pouliot
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Chad Ruhwedel
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Matt Murray
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Antti Niemi
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Tristan Jarry
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Top 10 Players:
10. Justin Schultz
9. Olli Maatta
8. Patric Hornqvist
7. Connor Sheary
6. Jake Guentzal
5. Matt Murray
4. Phil Kessel
3. Kris Letang
2. Evgeni Malkin
1. Sidney Crosby
Projected Finish: 105 Points (2nd in Metropolitan)
Last Year: 111 Points (2nd in Metropolitan)
Photo credit for Antti Niemi goes to https://www.cbssports.com/. Sidney Crosby goes to http://www.cbc.ca/. Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin goes to https://www.nhl.com/.
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