NHL.com provides in-depth analysis for each of the 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Now, three important questions facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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1. Is there enough to support the core?
Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkinthe first two centers, and Chris Letang, a top-pair defenseman, haven’t slowed down much, even entering their 18th season as teammates. But they need more help.
Crosby, 36, led the Penguins with 93 points (33 goals, 60 assists) last season. Malkin, 37, is second with 83 points (27 goals, 56 assists). Letang, 36, led Pittsburgh’s defense with 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists).
But there will be little more to contribute outside of the top-six forward group. Jeff Carter led the bottom-six forwards with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists). Drew O’Connor (11 points; five goals, six assists) scored the next most among forwards still with the Penguins.
Reilly Smith acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 28 and will likely join Malkin on the second line. Forward Lars Eller, Noel Acciari and Matt Nieto each signed on July 1, adding depth to the bottom two lines.
Probably most helpful, defender Erik Karlsson acquired from the San Jose Sharks on August 6 in a three-team trade involving the Montreal Canadiens. He won the Norris Trophy voted as the best defenseman in the NHL last season, leading San Jose with 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists).
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2. How are Karlsson and Letang deployed?
The addition of Karlsson gives Pittsburgh a unique setup.
The 33-year-old averaged 25:37 of ice time last season. Letang has an average of 24:51. The Penguins probably don’t want to cut minutes for either.
The solution is simple. Karlsson and Letang, in two separate defense pairings, could combine for about 50 minutes per game, said president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas.
“I think both are in very good condition,” Dubas said. “Kris’s competitiveness is very well known. Erik’s competitiveness will stand out while everyone in the room knows him. But both have shown, in the past, to be able to do a lot of minutes. And I think we want to know that as we go along. in regular time.”
3. Will Tristan Jarry take the next step?
Jarry signed a five-year, $26.875 million contract on July 1 to remain in Pittsburgh. In seven NHL seasons, he is 117-60-20 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 206 games (198 starts).
The 28-year-old proved to be a quality goalie in the regular season. His pedigree in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is a lingering question. Jarry is 2-6 with a 3.00 GAA and .891 save percentage in eight postseason starts.
For the Penguins to compete for the Stanley Cup, Jarry needs to turn the story around in the playoffs, but he needs to help them get back to the postseason first.
“Signing a long-term deal, you want to be able to perform and you want to do everything in your power to be able to perform,” Jarry said. “I think that’s something I want to do and I really want to work on this year.”