Penguins Hoping to Take Steps in Right Direction

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Kuljit Parmar

As the 2023 post-season is winding down, I wanted to briefly look back at the Pittsburgh Penguins season that had a lot of “could have beens,” that did not resonate with the team’s priorities, unfortunately ultimately missing the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

The team went into the beginning of the season with a lot of confidence, starting strong, and then having a downhill spiral for a stretch during the quarter mark of the season that had specific implications. Veterans like Jeff Carter were simply not holding their weight. There was a level of concern with the depth around the stars, that was quite obvious. So why did former General Manager Ron Hextall not pull the trigger then?

The team did bounce back from the losses that had incurred, but, as they were winning games for some time, the month of December, was the focal point of changes that did not happen. Nothing inspiring came about from the top down. It's safe to say that's why they aren't here anymore.

As the new year vastly approached, so did the losses stemming from December that took shape of the team's future and more precisely, it was evident that the team wanted to remain neutral on making moves accordingly.

Many had considered keeping certain players signed during the offseason, including myself. But, as the season progressed the players did not, except the core three that never seemed to lack any type of confidence or show any flaws.

Captain Sidney Crosby was the storyline for the team, as well as, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, per usual. All three, that demonstrated the leadership needed to win games and come clutch during key moments of the game. But that was also the biggest problem. Those three were always going to be good. They always have been. It's the surrounding players that needed to keep them afloat this season.

Whenever the new management team is indoctrinated, this is probably the last chance to get them some help and keep them competitive. 

The Penguins' offseason will be incredibly telling. Do they think about slowly rebuilding? Or is there one last gasp among them?

With the offseason officially beginning on July 1st, we will be in for a treat as to how the Penguins management roster unfolds and what acquisitions are made.

My Yinzers, we’re in it together!!