The Pittsburgh Penguins are 5-2-0. They are one of four Metro Division teams with 10 points and are several points clear in a playoff race, but this wasn’t supposed to be the script.
The story, as almost everyone had written, had our protagonist struggling; the Penguins are to be struggling for wins with a bad defense, shoddy goaltending, a couple of superstars who had aged out, a couple more top-line players traded, and another who didn’t want to be here.
The plot had been externally agreed to and greenlit. Pundits, national and local (including right here), appropriately pigeonhole’d the Penguins to finish toward the bottom of the league.
Of course, with 75 games over the next six months remaining, there is plenty of time for a free fall, faceplant, or for the bottom to drop out. One shouldn’t get too excited, but conversely, if they were in last place, that would also be noteworthy, right?
And so a question was recently posed to this writer by multiple people, including a radio host, and on social media:
Unfortunately, that answer is much like general manager Kyle Dubas’s strategy. It’s difficult to define, but easy to know.
The Penguins have quickly shoved themselves into a new conversation. The topic has shifted from anxiously awaiting trades to pondering what is possible.
The simplest starting point for success will be the path Dubas takes. If the general manager finally embarks on a trade exodus, a successful season will simply hinge upon the talent and assets acquired in return.
And success in that scenario will be defined by the draft pick in the talent-rich 2026 NHL Draft. We’ll call that scenario the “Dubas Season,” as it would be his and the organization’s defining moments directed and impacted primarily by Dubas himself.
The other scenario is quite different.
The scenario that sits on the ocean’s horizon like a rising sun is the possibility that the Penguins are better than everyone thought. Enough of Dubas’s offseason moves as he trolled the depths of the free agent market for the likes of Parker Wotherspoon and Justin Brazeau are working out quite nicely.
The Penguins are getting enough from others, such as Caleb Jones and Anthony Mantha, as well as resplendent play rookies Ben Kindel, Harrison Brunicke, and Filip Hallander, to ice a fully competitive roster capable of winning games in the muck as they did over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday, against heavy teams like the LA Kings, whom they beat last Thursday.
The Penguins also notched an impressive opening night win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, though in fairness, the Rangers are gritting their teeth because they’re still winless at MSG.
The Penguins have a positive goal differential. A positive scoring chance ratio. And for the first time in a few years, a genuinely positive outlook matched by performance.
The days of an endless string of “There was a lot to like about our game, but we just have to…(insert action).”
The Penguins are even one of the best third-period teams in the league. Only a couple of teams have allowed fewer goals in the final period than the Penguins.
If that doesn’t indicate the stark contrast between this team and the past, nothing will. The fresh atmosphere was noted by 20-year veteran Kris Letang following the win Thursday over Vancouver.
“It’s just a different atmosphere than it used to be. A lot of guys are on deals that they have to prove themselves, so there are a lot of guys that play hungry every single night,” Letang said. “It’s also a new voice. Guys are coming to the rink, and they want to get to know the system, and they want to thrive in that new environment. So I just think it’s a different vibe than this room.”
And so success as defined in the latter scenario is nothing less than the playoffs. It would make Sidney Crosby happy. It would boost revenues and attendance, which was an embarrassing 13,685 on Tuesday.
If Dubas keeps this group together, success is nothing less than a playoff berth. It would be an absolute waste of time and resources to finish a few spots out of the playoffs and draft 12th or 14th.
It’s all or nothing now. Both would be a success.
It’s what’s in the middle that would be a failure.
Categorized: Penguins Analysis
If the team keeps winning, great! If they fall off, then they become sellers at the deadline. Winning has always been a possibility and winning should be welcomed. The rebuild may get pushed back a few years, but more playoff hockey will be worth it. Missing out on a top prospect after the season would sting, but that is small beans. It is too early to be getting overly excited. Some may be surprised by the penguins winning, shame on you. Personally, I really like this team and think that they could be capable of being a top team. Sue… Read more »
So far, it looks like Dan was right before the season started when he said the Pens might be too good to suck! I think so too. It’s early. But the team is mostly playing honest hockey. When I think about who can and should be on this team, there are about 8-10 rookies who could be playing including McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Hayes, Murashov. In addition to Brazeau, Hallander, Kindel and Brunicke. Maybe Pickering. There are scout 8 or 9 vets you could keep: Sid, Geno, Rust, Rakell, Karlsson, Letang, Wotherspoon, Shea Lizotte. This team needs 4 great players who… Read more »
The scouts have demonstrated an ability to identify talent that isn’t noticed by others. The coaches are bringing out the best in their players. No need to tank.
If the younger players who are expected to stick with organization are better at the end of the season than they are now, then the season was a success. IMO, nothing else matters.
If the team keeps winning, great! If they fall off, then they become sellers at the deadline. Winning has always been a possibility and winning should be welcomed. The rebuild may get pushed back a few years, but more playoff hockey will be worth it. Missing out on a top prospect after the season would sting, but that is small beans. It is too early to be getting overly excited. Some may be surprised by the penguins winning, shame on you. Personally, I really like this team and think that they could be capable of being a top team. Sue… Read more »
So far, it looks like Dan was right before the season started when he said the Pens might be too good to suck! I think so too. It’s early. But the team is mostly playing honest hockey. When I think about who can and should be on this team, there are about 8-10 rookies who could be playing including McGroarty, Koivunen, Broz, Hayes, Murashov. In addition to Brazeau, Hallander, Kindel and Brunicke. Maybe Pickering. There are scout 8 or 9 vets you could keep: Sid, Geno, Rust, Rakell, Karlsson, Letang, Wotherspoon, Shea Lizotte. This team needs 4 great players who… Read more »
The scouts have demonstrated an ability to identify talent that isn’t noticed by others. The coaches are bringing out the best in their players. No need to tank.
If the younger players who are expected to stick with organization are better at the end of the season than they are now, then the season was a success. IMO, nothing else matters.
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