{"id":29471,"date":"2018-05-21T11:57:35","date_gmt":"2018-05-21T15:57:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=29471"},"modified":"2018-05-21T11:57:35","modified_gmt":"2018-05-21T15:57:35","slug":"pittsburgh-penguins-off-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/05\/21\/pittsburgh-penguins-off-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Penguins Off-Season Should be Quiet"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> bid to win three Stanley Cups in a row ended in the second round<\/a> as the Washington Capitals<\/a> beat them in six games. It was the first time the Capitals had reached the third\u00a0round in 20 years. This was also the Penguins first series loss in three years when they lost to the New York Rangers<\/a> in five games in 2015.<\/p>\n

There has been some speculation about whether the Penguins could move a core player this off-season. Defenceman\u00a0Kris Letang<\/a> <\/strong>didn’t look like himself this season after coming off major neck surgery. Let’s take a look at why this Penguins off-season should be quiet. The team should not have any major changes since they’re in prime position to contend again next season.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Penguins Offseason Should be Fairly Quiet<\/h1>\n

Team is set up<\/h3>\n

If the Penguins really wanted to, they could ice the same exact lineup from these playoffs going into next season. It obviously won’t happen but cap wise, they’re set up to do it. Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford<\/a> said in his season-ending\u00a0press conference that he will make changes, though they may not be major changes. The core is in place for next year and many years down the road which is what a contending team needs. Sidney Crosby<\/strong><\/a> and Evgeni Malkin<\/a> <\/strong>are signed long-term, Phil Kessel<\/a><\/strong> is coming off his best season in Pittsburgh, Letang will look to rebound after struggling, as will Matt Murray<\/a> <\/strong>who faced a lot of adversity this season. Derick Brassard<\/a> <\/strong>will also be back for a full season after struggling in the playoffs.<\/p>\n

The tweaks that could be made are searching for a backup goaltender for Murray as Tristan<\/strong> Jarry<\/strong><\/a> only had a .908 save percentage and Casey DeSmith<\/a><\/strong> looked a bit shaky at times when he was in net. They may also need a depth defenseman as Matt Hunwick<\/a><\/strong> was a disaster this season. Chad Ruhwedel<\/a><\/strong> fit in nicely when he came in and had a very good playoff but they’ll likely want to get someone to compete with him. Pittsburgh could also dangle a couple of players to open up some cap such as Conor Sheary<\/a><\/strong> or maybe even Carl Hagelin<\/a><\/strong> as he has one year left on his deal at $4 million. Whatever the case, there doesn’t need to be any major blockbuster trade involving Pittsburgh this summer.<\/p>\n

Bank on Kris Letang<\/a> returning to form<\/h3>\n

It was an up-and-down season for Letang as he returned from neck surgery. He led all Penguins defenseman with 51 points which is considered a down year for his standards. In two of his last three years prior to this season, he had 54 and 67 points respectively. This season he was out of position constantly, which led to the Penguins giving up goals that otherwise should’ve\u00a0been prevented. In the Capitals series, he was largely responsible for the tying goal in game five of the third period and the game-breaking goal late in the period.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Yrn73-Y3Kmw<\/p>\n

Letang was on Dumoulin’s side for some reason which led to that goal. He also could’ve tied Jakub Vrana<\/a><\/strong> up a bit better with the game-winner late in the period:<\/p>\n