Pittsburgh Penguins 2022 New Year Resolutions

The Pittsburgh Penguins 2022 New Year Resolution begins by saying goodbye to 2021 (Yay, good riddance 2021).  We all look forward to welcoming in 2022, (let’s hope this year is better than the last one, eh?), and so do the Penguins.

New Years Resolutions usually focus on these main themes, year in, year out.

Be Better and Improve on…

Improve Health

Better Finances

Invest in your Relationships

Get out of your Comfort Zone

Pursue an Aspiration

Read More

Before we review each of these themes and how they relate to the Penguins, a quick review of where we left off in 2021.

The Penguins had a tough block of games on their schedule against Eastern Conference teams (Dec06-31st).  On Dec 06th I wrote, “how this ten-game block will be a tell-tale sign of where the Penguins were heading in 2022”.  Below, was the Penguins upcoming schedule and my Pens Picks.

The Penguins vs the Eastern Conference

As of Dec06.21

@ Washington Dec10th (15-4-6 = 36pts  1st in the Metropolitan) Pens to win

Vs Anaheim Dec11th   (13-8-4 = 30pts  3rd in the Pacific) Pens to lose this one

@ Montreal Dec14th (6-17-3 = 15pts  7th in the Atlantic) Penguins to Win.

Vs Buffalo Dec17th  (8-13-3 = 19pts  6th in the Atlantic) Penguins to Win.

@ New Jersey Dec19th (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan) Penguins to Lose this one

NHL Christmas Covid shutdown break began here: All these Games were Postponed.

Vs New Jersey Dec21st (9-9-4 = 22pts  6th in the Metropolitan) Penguins to Win

Vs Philadelphia Dec23rd (8-10-4 = 20pts 7th in the Metropolitan) Penguins to Win

@ Boston Dec27th (12-8-1 = 25pts  5th in the Atlantic) Penguins to Win.

@ Toronto Dec29th (17-7-2 = 36pts  2nd in the Atlantic) Pens to lose this one

@ Ottawa Dec 31st (6-15-1 = 13pts  8th in the Atlantic) Penguins to Win.

Pens Picks: Dec06.2021

For this pivotal block of games, I’m thinking the Penguins go: 7 Wins, 3 Losses.  Time will tell.

Now, at the time of the NHL Covid Christmas shutdown break, the Penguins had won 7 in a row.  I had predicted they would go 7-3, and at the shut down they had already won 5.  With 5 games remaining, in this all-important block of games, it is easy to determine that the Penguins would have won at least two more games (if not more), making my prediction spot on, again (see my previous Pens Picks in this article, Penguins enter Canada with Trade Agreement).

The Pittsburgh Penguins 2022 New Year Resolutions

Be Better and Improve on…

Turnovers.  During the Penguins 7-game winning streak, the Penguins had turned the puck over more than their opposition in 4 of those 7 wins.  Overall, the Penguins have had more turnovers than their opposition, in 8 of their 17 wins.  Less Turnovers in 2022, will make us all breath easier.

Improve Health

Covid-19, Omicron, the Flu, Upper Body Injuries, Lower Body Injuries, Knees, Wrists, Heads.

Less of this list and more of, improved health and safety for all, in 2022.

Better Finances

NHL Projected Cap Space in 2022: $82.5 Million.  As the NHL enters and exists Covid/Omicron shutdowns, as well as missing the Olympics, NHL Revenues will take a hit.  This means the Overall Cap Money usually takes a nose dive as well.  Or the NHL will look for ways of re-couping that lost revenue.

Note: The Penguins have a list of upcoming unrestricted Free Agents.  How the Penguins end this season, will determine who gets a contract and who does not.

Also Note: The Penguins New Management group is also very interested in freeing up Cap money.  Whether it’s exploring options in the 2022 Pending Free Agent Pool of players, filling holes via Trades, or simply spending that money on players “they Want”.  Stay tuned to this ongoing saga.

Invest in your Relationships

We are Family.  This was the Mantra of the 1979 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates.  Led by captain Willie Stargell, Pops was the glue that held that group together and kept their focus, when times got tough.

As times get tough, Real Leaders Rise to the Occasion.  All Rise; Sid the kid,#87, Crosby, is the heartbeat of the Penguins.  He will Lead, we will follow.

Get out of your Comfort Zone

Playing Team Defense is for ‘Others”, not me.  That is how hockey players think as they grow up, especially if they are the goal scorer on the team.  The Penguins, however, have a group of selfless, caring about Team D individuals, not seen around Pittsburgh in quite some time.

We know Defense Wins Championships, and the level at which the Penguins are playing tight Team D is really encouraging and fun to watch.

Pursue an Aspiration

The Pittsburgh Penguins are out to Win the Stanley Cup this Year.  The Penguins core three; #87, #71 and #58, are all getting older and with Malkin #71 and Letang #58, becoming Unrestricted Free Agents at the end of this year, this is their last hurrah.  It is the Cup in 2022 or bust.

Read More

The Penguins Players, Coaches and Management should aspire to read more of my articles in 2022.   Take a look at my articles, “The Penguins win everytime when they do this”, or my amazing run with Pens Picks.  And don’t forget my ever positive, “View from the Cheap Seats”, or the inspirational “Quote of the Day”.  There is lots being said in each article, they just have to look, listen and implement.  Game on 2022.  Game on.

My View from the Cheap Seats

I saw that block of 10 games against the Eastern Conference teams, like an approaching iceberg.  Can the Penguins Win, in essence, dodging the oncoming iceberg and remain in the Playoff hunt or will they lose and like the Titanic, crash into the iceberg, sinking in the standings.

Well, with a seven-game winning streak, they dodged the oncoming iceberg and remain in the Playoff hunt.  With the NHL postponing Games and not going to the Olympics, it appears the Penguins must navigate around a few more icebergs ahead.

Always remember, Readers are Leaders.  Hope to see you in 2022.

Quote of the Day:

“Do you know what my favorite part of the game is?  The opportunity to play.”

Mike Singletary – Chicago Bears