Penguins Early Season Evaluation

Story by Yinzer Crazy Penguins Contributor Kuljit Parmar

I know it is not the quarter-mark yet, but, 11 games into the season and we are left wondering where has the identity of the Penguins gone?

Especially when considering they were on a winning note from the start of the season, then it changed drastically on a poor west coast road trip that has resulted in a negative loss column swing that will be evaluated by management.

The woes began right at the beginning of the west coast swing in upper western Canada, as the Pens failed to put up the competitiveness against all three Canadian team’s and one solely American team in the Seattle Kraken, who are doing well themselves thus far.

More importantly, the team had started off to a red-hot 4 and 1 start and in my opinion, the loss to the Montreal Canadiens had shaken the team up, as the Penguins have had only two wins and six losses since then.

The Pens had a chance to take control of the East very early on. This would have been the defining point of the Pittsburgh Penguins team that has all the tools to make a broad statement in the NHL and carry on with ease.

But I would not worry, due to the nature of the fact, it is just that: The beginning of the season. After coming off a valuable learning process that resulted in 4 losses. This should in fact help give the Pens the added set of confidence to play with throughout the season, reviewing the film by learning their weaknesses.

The chemistry was just not there, however, this team still knows how to play with pace. Given the fact it was an exhausting road trip, and the team’s outlasted the Penguins in back-to-back, where they had their work cut out for them.

I reiterate the fact though this was a good learning experience and should not be taken lightly because of the nature of the result. Why is the team losing is the question? There are many variables to this question, as to, yes! It is still early in the season to compromise.

The coaching ability is far from the reason though and in my opinion the Penguins team is just going through an old school slump as of late, which they are poised to break-through. The formation of the Penguins game is flawless and to say that the team needs adjustment is an overstatement. I do agree though, some games should have been in the bag, but character losses, build character teams.

Even though you have three well-established veterans on the Pens squad, you still have a team of youngsters going through the process, who are taking in the experience as we speak.

On a strong note, the Pittsburgh Penguins have started slow before, and ended up winning the Cup.

If indeed trouble do persist for Pittsburgh’s management come December, changes will be made accordingly, and you have the right people to fix the solution. I'm keeping my faith, yinzers.