Apr 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center
Evgeni Malkin(71) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pens entered the offseason in what seemed to be a salary cap crunch and many expected very little movement. However, Jim Rutherford actively worked multiple angles and ended up being one of the more aggressive teams throughout July and August.
The addition of Phil Kessel launched the Pittsburgh Penguins toward the top-ten for most NHL power rankings around the web, but adding Nick Bonino via trade and signing Eric Fehr has made them one of the deepest teams in the league. Their defense remains suspect due to age and inexperience, but if they can step-up and provide the solidity needed for this offense to do their thing, they’ll be replacing a lot of bulbs in the goal lights at Consol Energy Center.
Next: Tampa Bay Lightning