The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off a season in which they failed to make the post-season. In a tough division, making their way back into the playoffs will be increasingly difficult. That being said, there are several things that need to break their way. As the 2023-2024 season approaches, here is a list of increasingly bold predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Bold Predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins New Look Powerplay Won’t Work…At First
This take goes all the way to the top because many Penguins fans can seemingly see the writing on the wall after lackluster performances throughout the preseason. GM Kyle Dubas swung for the fences and brought in Erik Karlsson this offseason. One of the main attractions of Karlsson’s game is his ability to quarterback a powerplay, something the Penguins have been missing for quite some time.
While adding Karlsson is exciting, all members of the top powerplay group have repeatedly told reporters that the new look unit will take time to gel. If the preseason is any indicator, there is definite truth to that statement. The Penguins’ top powerplay went an embarrassing 0-6 against the Ottawa Senators, and never looked very threatening.
Part of the issue is the fact that the top unit has two quarterbacks in Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. When forward Jake Guentzel returns from his off-season ankle surgery, he should bump Letang off the top unit; whether or not that will actually happen, only Coach Mike Sullivan knows.
Ultimately, the Penguins top unit is far too talented to be bad, as it consists of three legitimate first ballot hall of famers. That being said, Sidney Crosby would be better utilized on Malkin’s spot on the half wall. For whatever reason, (maybe it’s Malkin’s own refusal to move from his spot), Assistant Coach Todd Reirden continues to staple Malkin on the half wall, despite the fact that he lacks the playmaking abilities to truly thrive in that spot.
Maybe it’s just the years of mediocrity that have surrounded the Penguins powerplay since Phil Kessel left, but they may disappoint, at least early in the year.
Sidney Crosby will Eclipse the 100-Point Mark Again
This is a Penguins bold prediction that some may feel best about. While only two players in NHL history have hit the 100 point mark after their 36th birthday, something about the way Crosby has come into training camp this year seems like he has something to prove. Outside of Pittsburgh, it seems as though Crosby has been flying under the radar. The Penguins, after missing the playoffs for the first time in 16 seasons, are not as relevant nationally as they once were. In a world of young and exciting players, the NHL has understandably marketed the McDavid’s, Bedard’s and Hughes’ of the world and left Crosby in the past.
The captain looks more determined than ever to show that he’s still a top dog in this league. According to players who know him, Crosby was the “most pissed off” he’s been in a long time after the disappointing end of last year.
It just seems inevitable that a pissed off Crosby will defeat father time and have a monster season.
Drew O’Connor will Score Over 15 Goals
While 15 goals isn’t breaking any records, the Penguins need O’Connor to take a step in a big way. While the team’s bottom six has improved this offseason, they still lack a legitimate scoring threat.
O’Connor only has eight goals in his 78 game career. But, the young forward has shown flashes of offensive ability that have left Penguins fans hopeful that this season will yield a breakout. O’Connor has all the tools, and his size and speed make him a perfect fit for Sullivan’s system.
While 15 goals may be shooting for the stars, a lot of the potential issues within the Penguins bottom six would be fixed with a strong season from DOC.
Evgeni Malkin will Have his Worst Year in Recent Memory
This Penguins bold prediction is painful to write. But it’s hard to see Malkin aging as gracefully as his partner in crime. That’s not to say that Geno will have a “bad year” by NHL standards. But it feels unlikely that he will reach the 80 point mark again.
Over the past few years, Malkin’s legs have slowed quite a bit. The raw talent, while still there, is not always going to be enough to propel him into the top echelon of players each year. Geno is undoubtedly a crucial member to the Pittsburgh Penguins and will most likely be rather productive. However, there is some fear that the days of Malkin going “beast mode” and knifing through opponents are gone.
As mentioned earlier, a “down year” for Malkin would still be a very good year for a majority of players. That being said, Geno’s lowest points per game percentage in his illustrious career is 0.85. That averages out to about 70 points over a full 82 game season. That feels about right for Malkin’s projection this year.
Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
