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NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are attempting to navigate a tightrope.

The team that clinched the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017 shows a discernible difference. However, the Penguins still maintain the belief that they’re not so distant as to entirely abandon what brought them success in 16 consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs between 2007 to 2022.

“The goal for our franchise isn’t just to barely make it into the playoffs,” stated general manager Kyle Dubas. “We want to bring the team back to contending status as quickly as we can. Can we achieve this in the current season, or the next one? It’s difficult to establish a specific timeframe.”

However, it’s clear that this isn’t a situation where we need to completely overhaul everything. The individuals in the [locker] room are too valuable for such an approach. Instead, we aim to utilize every possible strategy to gain future assets. These can be incorporated into our organization through the draft, recruiting younger individuals via free agency, or through trades or waivers. The goal is to support the existing core group here.

Centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin remain part of that core, along with defenseman Kris Letang. Defenseman Erik Karlsson, set for his second season in Pittsburgh, now is considered part of it too.

On August 7, Crosby celebrated his 37th birthday. He still has one season left on his 12-year contract, which he signed on July 1, 2012. The contract is worth $104.4 million, with an average annual value of $8.7 million.

Following the Penguins’ failure to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season, the team’s captain expressed uncertainty about the exact number of seasons he has left in the NHL. Crosby’s goal while still a part of Pittsburgh is clear – he wants to vie for a fourth championship with his fellow teammates, Malkin, aged 38; Letang, aged 37; and aims to win a first with Karlsson, aged 34.

In his 19th NHL season, Crosby led the Penguins with 94 points, comprising 42 goals and 52 assists, across 82 games. He expressed optimism after they concluded the season with an 8-2-2 record in their last 12 games, finishing just three points behind the Washington Capitals. This position put them in line for the second wild card entry into the playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

“Crosby expressed, “I felt a strong sense of unity among everyone. As I’ve mentioned before, each person played a significant role in giving us a fighting chance towards the end. I believe this is a solid foundation to build on, and we’re hopeful that the momentum gained will carry over into the following year.”

And Pittsburgh won’t appear markedly different from that stretch run.

Forwards Reilly Smith, traded to the New York Rangers after one season with the Penguins, and Jeff Carter, who retired after 19 NHL seasons, are key departures. Defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph also won’t return after signing a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Kevin Hayes could add to the bottom-six forward group after being acquired in a trade with the Blues on June 29. The same could be said for Blake Lizotte (two years) and Anthony Beauvillier (one year), each of whom signed with Pittsburgh on July 1, and Cody Glass, acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on Aug. 13. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk might compete for a spot next to Letang or Karlsson after signing a one-year contract July 1.

But the top contributors are unchanged.

Crosby is leading, accompanied by Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson.

There’s still forward Bryan Rust, coming off an NHL career-high 28 goals in 62 games last season. Forwards Rickard Rakell, Michael Bunting and Drew O'Connor could fill out the top two lines with Crosby and Malkin.

Tristan Jarry will be the primary starting goalie, with Alex Nedeljkovic signing a two-year, $5 million contract ($2.5 million AAV) June 20 to stay as the backup.

For coach Mike Sullivan, the remaining pieces are sufficient.

“Sullivan stated, “Our vision and direction are unequivocally clear regarding our objectives and our approach. We are confident that Sid continues to perform at an exceptional level. Similarly, Kris Letang maintains his high-level performance. ‘Karl,’ ‘Geno,’ and the rest are competitive and skilled players.”

We believe we are in a situation where we strive to equip our core group with everything possible to maximize competitiveness and foster challenge.