Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Reasons the Pens Will Win the Stanley Cup in 2016

Mar 26, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins forward

(23) shoots the puck as Carolina Hurricanes defensemen

(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…