What would a 48 game NHL Season mean for the Pens?

The impact this will have on the league is significant for many teams in different ways, but it will probably affect the Penguins the most. 

Here is why.

You may be thinking - this team is a bit long in the tooth and that less games would equal better overall health throughout the duration of a full season.

Let's reconsider that notion.

Remember the story we wrote not too long ago about the Patric Hornqvist trade? (if you don't go read it!)

We mentioned the recent turnover of players, and how the familiarity of this team since the last Stanley Cup win has been getting less recognizable each season. 

Now consider the fact that we are basically in a rebuilding period, and shorten the length of time in which these new faces are going to have to be worked into the system.

Now somehow the new year is right around the corner, slated to start on January 1st - and it feels like just a couple of weeks ago we were watching the team lose in the playoffs in an ugly way.

In the last few months Connor Sheary, Justin Schultz, and Patrick Marleau all became unrestricted free agents. 

We also saw Jack Johnson waived via contract buyout (thank the hockey gods.)

And don't forget the Pens also traded starting goaltender Matt Murray.

Like most of yinz, I have high expectations for Tristan Jarry taking over full-time as the new starting net minder. 

Slated to back up Jarry is Casey DeSmith, who was a phenom with Wilkes-Barre Scranton, but only has a handful of starts in the NHL. 

DeSmith discussed his expectations for himself and the 2020 Penguins on the Yinzer Crazy Podcast (Listen above!)

The front office also recently fired the assistant GM Jason Karmanos, not too long after we heard the news that assistant coaches Mark Recchi and Jacques Martin were relieved of their duties.

I think I covered most of the off-season shakeup. 

A shakeup that saw many of these transactions take place as recently as October. 

I think you can see the point I'm trying to make here.

We are looking at a Penguins team that just received a pretty serious makeover; General Manager Jim Rutherford style.

The team is going to have to gel early - and that's something that isn't easy in such a big team sport.

I hope that Jarry can play like a stud once again, and based off his regular season stats from last year he damn well could. 

However, he has only played one playoff game in his NHL career.

And Casey DeSmith has played in just 50 total regular season games and has zero playoff experience. 

This could literally mean nothing considering we may not even see the playoffs. 

I know that's a hot take.

Right now though, just looking at the goaltender situation from a fans perspective - I see lack of experience playing a large factor.

We are also looking at a drastically different offense that will need time to mesh.

With a shortened off-season, and all these transactions just taking shape last month, don't expect this team to look like a well oiled machine right away.

Just look at how long it took Phil Kessel to get acclimated to the system just a few seasons ago. No matter the level of talent, it usually takes time just to get everyone firing on the same cylinder. 

Jake Guentzel might be the only winger in recent memory that was able to start on Sidney Crosby's line and immediately start producing.

I wouldn't expect the same from Kasperi Kapanen.     

Finally, and this may just be one fans opinion - the Penguins always seem to come out slow, sputter mid season, then pick back up for a playoff push. 

If recent memory serves correct, for the past 10 years Penguins fans typically start complaining around January how bad the team looks and that we won't make the playoffs if we continue playing this poorly. 

Which may very well be true, until good old Jimmy R. makes some acquisitions by the trade deadline that gives us new life.

Now we will probably have to rely on Kasperi Kapanen, Mark Jankowski (love how yinzer this name is) and the additional talent acquired during the off-season to step up and be ready from the first drop of the puck.

I want to remind you that this is all still speculation.

There isn't much we really know as of right now other than the season is supposed to kick off January 1st.

If I were a betting man (which I am if anyone wants some action) I would wager my next paycheck on the season being 48 games. 

If the NHL wants to get back to some semblance of normalcy by the 21/22 season, they are going to have to make more sacrifices again this year. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out - but my money is on a shortened season so that the following year they can get back to a normal structure.

As for the Penguins, this couldn't have come at a worse time. With some of the biggest moves in recent franchise history, a shorter season does not bode well in their favor. However, this may be a good season to just begin the rebuild process a bit early.

If anything this might just be the year to sit back and go with the flow. I wouldn't hold the Pens in high regard or expect too much out of them with all things considered, and hell it might just be what we need. Maybe it will amount to them having a down year and if we play our cards right, by the 21/22 season - the Penguins may be better than ever.

Just be patient with this team yinz guys. Remember all the good times and the back to back cups. Most importantly, whatever happens this season, just take a deep breath before every game, shotgun an Iron City, and let this team get back to where it needs to be. Which is a cup contender led by a strong core of Sidney Crosby, Evegni Malkin & now Tristan Jarry.

Story by Pens Fan Luke Ranalli