Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Reasons the Pens Will Win the Stanley Cup in 2016
Apr 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrate their victory after defeating the New York Rangers during game 2 of the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 at Madison Square Garden. The Penguins defeated the Rangers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Okay, before you get all fired up and call me crazy for predicting that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be Stanley Cup Champions next June, let me explain that this is a two-part series. I’ll also visit five reasons why the Pens will not win the cup next season in the near future.
When you suffer an early playoff elimination there are always a ton of questions, as well as multiple variables in what could happen over the next few months. Combined with the slide that the Pittsburgh Penguins faithful had to suffer through from January to May, there’s obviously a lot of gray area and uncertainty about next season’s roster.
But, there are also pieces of this team that aren’t going anywhere, and for good reason. There are reasons to believe that the Pittsburgh Penguins can truly be contenders when the 2015-16 season rolls around. That’s what I’d like to visit over the next few slides.
Oct 30, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston (rear left) gestures as he talks with referee Steve Kozari (40) against the Los Angeles Kings during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
5. Coaching
I fully believe that we haven’t seen the slightest bit of what Mike Johnston and staff has to offer. I’m normally not one to use injuries as an excuse, but considering the multitude of injuries that the Pens suffered to top-tier players, you simply can’t overlook that.
Johnston was forced to alter his system in order to adjust to the players he had at his disposal. He had to account for Rob Scuderi and Ben Lovejoy playing top-four minutes and an inability to create any kind of transition game. The Pittsburgh Penguins were forced to play dump-and-chase hockey after showing total dominance to start the season while focusing mainly on puck possession.
It’s possible that you’ll see coaching listed when I visit the five reasons the Pens won’t win the Cup, as there are clearly some holes in how this roster was managed last season. But, considering what Johnston was able to do with an injury depleted roster against the New York Rangers once the post-season began, he deserves some credit along with his criticism.
The Pens looked poised and didn’t unravel at the sight of adversity. They fought through a terribly officiated series to keep within a goal in all four losses, and came together as a team better than we’ve seen since 2009. And, that was without names like Kris Letang, Olli Maatta, Christian Ehrhoff, and Pascal Dupuis.
We could be very surprised at Mike Johnston’s effectiveness next season with a healthy roster.
Mar 26, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins forward
Steve Downie(23) shoots the puck as Carolina Hurricanes defensemen
Justin Faulk(27) defends during the first period at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
4. Depth Throughout the Lineup
Did I just say depth while referencing the Pittsburgh Penguins?
Yes, and I mean it. I laid out how this team can build around the youth that this organization already has, and by doing so they’ll leave themselves some wiggle room under the cap ceiling. While it would surely be more expensive than you’d like, the bottom-six on this team could benefit greatly from infusing some youth into the NHL roster.
When you think about the possibility of Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis playing on the third line together with their chemistry, it sounds like those veteran contracts may not harm the Pittsburgh Penguins as much as they once did. As long as the Pens are smart about their acquisitions and allow their young talent the necessary time to develop, we could see a team that is just as deep as the 2009 Stanley Cup Championship squad, and I’m not afraid to say that with confidence.
The trick of course, is not overpaying in this summer’s free agent market. And, when working to acquire top-six talent via trade, don’t get hung up on experience and leadership. Youth and talent is what this team needs more than anything.
Speaking of youth…
Dec 15, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman
Brian Dumoulin(8) moves the puck in front of goalie
Marc-Andre Fleury(29) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3. Young, Impactful Players
Aside from the fact that these young players can give you some much needed cap relief, the Pittsburgh Penguins are stacked with young talent that can contribute in a big way.
We haven’t yet witnessed the potential of Kasperi Kapanen or Oskar Sundqvist, but we’ll get a great look at them when training camp rolls around. Kapanen has shown the ability to produce points in the AHL so far, and if that translates to the NHL the top-six immediately gets better.
The defensive corps, however, is where the biggest impact will be. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without the services of Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff next season. But, they’ll likely see the return of Olli Maatta and Kris Letang. Remember, they added Ian Cole at the trade deadline and have Derrick Pouliot and Brian Dumoulin ready to step in and play big minutes.
This is a group that could surprise a lot of people next season, and they’ll do so with multiple entry-level and bridge contracts that occupy very little salary cap. Beyond those mentioned, the prospect pool is shallow and needs replenished badly. But for the moment, it’s time to take advantage of these young legs.
Oct 25, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center
Evgeni Malkin(71) celebrates with Pittsburgh Penguins center
Sidney Crosby(87) after scoring a goal during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
2. The Core
How often do you hear about the core of the Pittsburgh Penguins making too much money? How many times will folks suggest that breaking up Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and Marc-Andre Fleury is what’s best for the Pens?
Well, it isn’t. Don’t get caught up in large media outlets and Pittsburgh sports personalities telling you that Crosby and Malkin make too much. Their combined cap hit is less than that of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, and they consistently provide more production. The Blackhawks are doing just fine with that amount of money tied up in two players. Would you agree?
The difference, of course, is their supporting cast. The core of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the best in hockey, hands down. Pittsburgh Penguins fans have been spoiled with names such as Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, and the aforementioned Crosby and Malkin. These guys aren’t common, and when you suggest trading them, I hope you understand that it means no longer having them.
Those four will lead the Penguins to another Stanley Cup Championship. But, Management has to do it’s part and give them the necessary support to do so. I don’t think they’re very far from it right now.
Nov 1, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) skates through center ice with the puck against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
1. Health
I firmly believe that the Pittsburgh Penguins were as capable as any other Eastern Conference team in these playoffs without the devastating injuries they suffered. The issue though, considering the trend over the last five years, it seems as if they’ll never be healthy.
I have no complaints about how Taylor Chorney and Brian Dumoulin filled in against the New York Rangers. But, Rob Scuderi was terrible and his age showed when he was forced into top-four minutes. The same goes for Ben Lovejoy, as he was exposed multiple times in very important situations throughout that series.
When you lose talented players like Letang, Maatta, and Ehrhoff you suffer. I don’t need to post a fancy chart or line graph to prove that. Could you imagine the Rangers without Staal, Girardi, and Yandle?
While we spend a lot of time analyzing the details of the game and player’s performances, if you can’t stay healthy you can’t win. If the Pittsburgh Penguins are able to boast a full lineup in next season’s playoffs, they’ll have just as good of an opportunity to hoist the Stanley Cup as anyone else.
Next: Young, Cheap D Corps is Exactly What the Pens Need