Pittsburgh Penguins fantasy projections for 2024-25
Pittsburgh Penguins fantasy projections for 2024-25
Crosby continues to be a first-round constant, while Rust has the potential to be a draft bargain.
© Joe Sargent/NHLI
As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has ranked the top 5 players on the Pittsburgh Penguins and identified other preseason draft targets with point and win projections for the 2024-25 season.
1. Sidney Crosby, F
NHL.com point projection: 97
Last season, Crosby ranked seventh in the NHL for even-strength points, scoring 71 in 82 games, and tied for 12th in overall points (94). He has consistently scored over 90 points in two consecutive seasons, demonstrating his elite production capability. Crosby is a top-10 overall pick in fantasy drafts and should be considered seriously.
In the game between Pittsburgh and Chicago, Crosby skillfully deflects Pettersson’s pass into the net.
2. Evgeni Malkin, F
NHL.com point projection: 70
Last season, Malkin recorded 67 points, consisting of 27 goals and 40 assists, in 82 games. However, in the two seasons before that, he had an average of over 1.00 points per game. Malkin ranked second in power-play points (18) and even-strength points (49) among the Penguins. He is still projected to potentially score 30 goals and is considered a top-75 forward in fantasy and a borderline top-100 player overall.
Malkin scores his second goal in the TBL@PIT game by following up down low.
3. Kris Letang, D
NHL.com point projection: 55
Last season, Letang ranked 18th among NHL defensemen, scoring 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 82 games. In the 2021-22 season with Pittsburgh, he achieved a career-high with 68 points (10 goals, 58 assists) in 78 games. As such, Letang could be viewed as a borderline top 30 defenseman option in fantasy hockey.
Letang strikes a shot that hits the post and goes in during the PIT@BOS game.
4. Erik Karlsson, D
NHL.com point projection: 55
Last season, Karlsson secured a tie for third place for the Penguins, scoring 56 points (11 goals, 45 assists) in 82 games. He holds an important position in their top power play lineup. In the 2022-23 season with the San Jose Sharks, Karlsson demonstrated his high potential by achieving 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) in 82 games. Alongside Letang, Karlsson should also be seen as a borderline top-30 defenseman option in fantasy.
Karlsson smashes a one-timer at Pittsburgh, doubling the lead for Nashville.
5. Bryan Rust, F
NHL.com point projection: 60
Last season, Rust ranked second on Pittsburgh, scoring 28 goals in 62 games, and had the second-highest average of goals per game (0.45). Despite missing 20 games, he still tied for third on the Penguins with 56 points. In fantasy drafts, Rust should be considered around the 175th pick. Given his prowess in goal-scoring, he could potentially be a steal in the draft.
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Other PIT players on preseason draft lists:
Sleeper candidate: Michael Bunting, F (point projection: 53)
