Pittsburgh Penguins: 5 Bold Predictions for 2015-16

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel (81) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Kessil Will Win the Rocket Richard

Kessel is one of the game’s purest goal scorers, plain and simple. Many have criticized him for being a “floater”, or only focusing on one aspect of the game. He only cares about offense, and isn’t someone that you’ll see battling hard for 50/50 pucks in the corner or throwing hits in the defensive zone. And, the Pittsburgh Penguins staff is perfectly ok with that.

Kessel was acquired by the Pens for one reason, and one reason only. He’s here to score goals, and they want him to score them in bunches. With two world-class playmaking centers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, is it really hard to imagine him keeping pace with the likes of Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos?

One of our writers recently did a piece on Kessel and predicted his production based on his career numbers. With that formula we landed on 44 goals and 86 total points. However, I’m going to up the stakes and say that I predict Phil Kessel will score 55 goals and win the Rocket Richard next season.

Let me throw in one more not-so bold prediction. Kessel will not be a cancer in the locker room like many have labeled him. Pittsburgh seems to be the perfect fit for his skill set and personality.

Next: Sidney Crosby Will Eclipse 115 Points

Mar 26, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (87) gets ready for the start of the 3rd period against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Hurricanes defeated the Penguins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Sidney Crosby Will Eclipse 115 Points

Last season is looked at as a “down year” for Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby. In his “down year” he recorded 84 points and placed third in the NHL scoring race. However, he still led the league in points-per-game and likely would have won the Art Ross if it weren’t for the mumps outbreak in the Pens’ locker room.

He boasted a 1.09 PPG last year, and would have ended up around the 90-point mark if he played all 82 games. Can he really increase that back into triple digits?

Yes, he can. Let’s remember that Sid is only one year removed from a 104-point effort in 2013-14 in which he was producing at a clip of 1.3 PPG. If he plays all 82 games and returns to that pace he’s looking at roughly 107 points, and that pace was without a top-5 NHL sniper alongside him.

There’s no indication of which line Kessel will play on, but Sid will benefit from the Pittsburgh Penguins improved top-six no matter who his line mates are. He’ll also reap the benefits of Phil Kessel blasting from the left faceoff dot on the powerplay. Is 115 points a really bold prediction? Yes. But, that’s why I’m writing this, right?

Next: Olli Maatta Will Be a Norris Trophy Candidate

Apr 21, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman

(3) fires the puck up ice against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game three of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Ollie Maatta Will Be a Norris Trophy Candidate

Olli Maatta had the most disappointing sophomore season that you can imagine. He started out well while showing no signs of a sophomore slump, but then was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his neck and then sidelined for the year due to a shoulder injury.

However, things are looking up for the young defenseman.

I often refer to Maatta as Paul Martin 2.0, but he has something that Martin doesn’t. Maatta’s youth and deceptive quickness is something that’s very underrated and often overlooked. He’s extremely smart for his age and is capable of contributing on the offensive side of the puck as well as playing shutdown D.

Another underrated aspect of Olli Maatta is his competitiveness. You won’t hear me cite intangibles very often but after battling injuries early in his career and having a cancerous tumor removed from his neck, Maatta continued to strive with the Pens. No matter what comes this kid’s way, he continues to deliver.

I look for big things from Olli Maatta in 2015-16, and while his point totals likely won’t reach those of defensemen like Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson, his combination of defensive play and offensive contributions should have him in the Norris conversation. Again, these are big expectations to put on Maatta after almost a full year off the ice, but the usual suspects that populate the Norris race better watch out for Olli Maatta as a dark horse.

Next: Chris Kunitz Will Score 25 Goals

Nov 29, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing

(14) is congratulated by teammates after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Kunitz Will Score 25 Goals

Chris Kunitz shocked the Pittsburgh Penguins fan base last season, but not in a good way. One year removed from a 68-point season, Kunitz potted 20 points in two months and then disappeared. He remained a solid possession player, but when you’re in a role that places you alongside Sidney Crosby you have to produce points.

While many feel that Kunitz’ time has passed, I’m not so sure that’s the case. Though, I do believe that his time in the top-six should be over. Unless of course, based on how things shake out, it means a more balanced attack for Pittsburgh. That surely isn’t out of the question.

The great news for Kunitz is that Jim Rutherford traded Brandon Sutter and signed Eric Fehr via free agency. Part of the return for Sutter was Nick Bonino, another viable third line center that has offensive upside. Either of those players will provide Kunitz with the ability to produce if he can find his hands again. And, considering Fehr’s versatility, he may find himself playing alongside both of them on a line.

Considering that Kunitz buried 35 goals two season ago and got off to such a great start last season, 25 goals in 2015-16 isn’t that far-fetched. I guess we’ll have to watch and see.

Next: Mike Johnston Will Win the Hearts of Pens' Fans

Nov 29, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Johnston looks on during the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Penguins won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Johnston Will Win the Hearts of Pittsburgh Penguins Fans

Jim Rutherford seems to have turned the tide on how the Pittsburgh Penguins faithful view him. The fan base is genuinely excited about the upcoming season and the volume of skeptics is shrinking by the day.

However, I’m not sure the same goes for Head Coach Mike Johnston. Many have pegged a lot of the Pens’ issues on him, despite knowing the extent of the injuries suffered by the 2014-15 Pittsburgh Penguins. How much of last season’s failures can be placed on his shoulders?

Here’s what we know…

Mike Johnston’s possession style offense requires speed and skill, a lot of which the Pittsburgh Penguins were lacking for most of 2014-15. It also requires mobile defensemen that can move the puck up ice quickly and join the rush. Also something that the Pens were lacking for most of 2014-15.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are now built on skill and speed. Jim Rutherford and Company set out on a mission to give Johnston the tools required for his game plan, and they came through in a big way. Even on the defensive side of the puck, the Pens have young, mobile blue-liners that are all solid puck movers. Given the opportunity to have a healthy lineup this season, Mike Johnston will prove his skeptics wrong and impress a fan base that still seems unsure of whether he fits the mold for Pittsburgh.

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