The Pittsburgh Penguins enter the 2026-27 season with loads of uncertainty after an offseason during which the roster noticed few significant enhancements. Pittsburgh nonetheless has sufficient expertise to compete, however there are clear weaknesses all through the roster. The Penguins will want a number of issues to go proper in the event that they wish to stay aggressive within the Metropolitan Division.
Sergei Murashov’s improvement, Andrei Kuzmenko changing misplaced scoring and the veteran core avoiding a major decline are three keys to a profitable Penguins season.
Sergei Murashov should be prepared
One of many largest questions surrounding Pittsburgh is in internet. High prospect Sergei Murashov is seen because the Penguins goalie of the longer term, however the 22-year-old could possibly be requested to play an vital function instantly.
Murashov will probably break up the online with Arturs Silovs to start the season, giving Pittsburgh two younger choices in aim. Nonetheless, if Murashov shines instantly, the beginning job might rapidly turn out to be his. He has the upper long-term ceiling and will set up himself as Pittsburgh’s clear No. 1 before anticipated.
The protection in entrance of him might make that transition harder. The left aspect might characteristic Trevor van Riemsdyk, Samuel Girard and Declan Carlile. Van Riemsdyk is of course a right-shot defenseman, that means Pittsburgh might ask him to recurrently play on his offside. The suitable aspect options Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang and Kaedan Korczak. Karlsson and Letang are nonetheless gifted gamers who can transfer the puck and generate offense from the blue line, however neither is thought for being nice defensively.
There’ll probably be rising pains, particularly behind an unsure defensive group. Nonetheless, if Murashov instantly proves he can deal with the NHL workload, it mustn’t take lengthy for the Penguins to make the online his.
Andrei Kuzmenko wants to interchange misplaced scoring
Anthony Mantha turned considered one of Pittsburgh’s most vital offensive gamers final season, scoring 33 objectives earlier than leaving for the New Jersey Devils in free company. The Penguins didn’t make a significant splash to interchange him, as an alternative betting on Andrei Kuzmenko on a one year deal.
Kuzmenko is coming off a disappointing season with the Los Angeles Kings, the place accidents contributed to him scoring solely 13 objectives. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old has already proven he could be a harmful NHL scorer, together with a 39-goal rookie season.
This could possibly be one other alternative for head coach Dan Muse to assist a participant rediscover his potential. Mantha entered final season with loads of questions surrounding him after being written off by many, however he responded with one of the best season of his profession. If Kuzmenko can regain his scoring contact and supply constant secondary offense, it could go a good distance towards changing the manufacturing Pittsburgh misplaced when Mantha departed.
The Penguins core can’t decline
The ultimate key to a profitable Penguins season is the obvious. Pittsburgh’s veteran core should proceed producing at a excessive stage.
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson and Bryan Rust stay a number of the most vital gamers on the roster. Pittsburgh continues to be closely depending on them regardless of every getting one other yr older.
If Crosby or Malkin experiences a major offensive decline, Pittsburgh’s high six instantly turns into weaker. The identical drawback exists on protection with Letang and Karlsson.
Ben Kindel and Egor Chinakhov present some much-needed younger expertise, however Pittsburgh nonetheless lacks sufficient confirmed younger star energy to compensate for a significant decline or accidents from its veterans.
The margin for error is small. If Murashov takes management of the online, Kuzmenko replaces Mantha’s scoring and the veteran core continues producing, the Penguins ought to have a chance to place collectively one other profitable season.
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