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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, three important questions facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1. Is there enough support for Sidney Crosby?

At 37 years old, Crosby is embarking on the final season of his 12-year contract worth $104.4 million ($8.7 million average annual value). He is expected to sign a new contract to continue playing in Pittsburgh.

It’s unclear whether the Penguins can effectively support their captain and franchise figurehead.

Crosby led Pittsburgh with 94 points (42 goals, 52 assists) in 82 games last season, ahead of fellow center Evgeni Malkin (67 points; 27 goals, 40 assists). Malkin, 38, has had a slight regression from his most dominant seasons but remains part of a productive center pair with Crosby that has led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017) entering their 19th season as teammates.

But Crosby and Malkin aren’t the issue. Crosby (42), forward Bryan Rust (28), Malkin (27) and forward Jake Guentzel (22), who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7 and now is with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scored 119 of Pittsburgh’s 253 goals last season (47.0 percent).

The Penguins must reduce their reliance on Crosby and other top forwards if they are to make a comeback to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a two-season absence.

Crosby stated, “Over the past few years, we’ve missed by such a small margin, there are countless games where you find yourself wishing to replay certain plays and moments. It’s a delicate balance. Regrettably, we’ve often found ourselves on the unfavorable side of it.”

2. Can Tristan Jarry solidify his place as a No. 1 goalie?

Jarry has performed well in eight seasons with Pittsburgh, replacing Matt Murray as the primary starter in 2020-21. He is 136-85-25 with a 2.70 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

He tied for the NHL lead last season with six shutouts, but was 19-25-5 with a 2.91 GAA and .903 save percentage, each his worst in an NHL season with more than two games played. And Alex Nedeljkovic started the final 13 games of last season with Jarry healthy.

Jarry is entering the second year of his five-year contract, worth $26.875 million ($5.375 million AAV), which he signed on July 1, 2023.

With Nedeljkovic returning and goalie prospect Joel Blomqvist emerging in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, this could be a pivotal season for Jarry to cement his spot.

“Attempting to reach another level and striving for more consistency is my goal,” said Jarry.

3. Can the power play be fixed?

Pittsburgh was 30th in the NHL on the power play at 15.3 percent last season. That’s with a top unit that featured Crosby, Malkin, Rust and defenseman Erik Karlsson. Guentzel also was part of that group before being traded. Defenseman Kris Letang was used with, and in place of, Karlsson.

On May 3, Assistant coach Todd Reirden, responsible for the power play, was dismissed. His replacement, David Quinn, was hired on June 12 and will manage the defense and power play. Prior to this, Quinn spent two seasons coaching the San Jose Sharks, whose power play last season was tied at 20th place with a 20.2 percent success rate.