It's showtime, as the Penguins kick off their 2026-27 campaign where their playoff series came to an end in Philadelphia against the Flyers.
With a new season always comes with many questions, predictions, hot takes, new faces, new challenges and the question of how will the story write itself this year just as it has before for Sidney Crosby and Co.
There was a decent amount of roster overhaul with some departures of players who helped the Penguins get back to the playoffs last season and new additions who have experience in the playoffs and in the league, that will look to continue to bring success to the team.
Pittsburgh sits as the 15th oldest team in the NHL and finally is under the average age of 30 and Kyle Dubas has continued to add younger and fuel this team full of youth as he vowed to do.
However it is time to get to Scott's five bold predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins season.
1. Goaltending becomes a massive struggle for Pittsburgh this year and keeps them away from playoff contention
With the departure of veteran goaltender Stuart Skinner (now in WPG) left the door wide open for rookie goaltender Sergei Murashov to finally step up and take the full time spot he has pining for the last couple of seasons since the team drafted him. Arturs Silovs was brought back and the team believes in the young goalie who showed flashes of brilliance in the first round series against the Flyers and throughout the season.
What I believe will be the achilies heel this year will be the inexperience of the goaltending tandem and just how they don't necessarily have a true number one goaltender between the pipes. Putting the pressure of the season where there is pressure to compete on the backs of Silovs and Murashov I feel will be too much for these two young men.
2. Nick Robertson breaks out finally and pots a 25 plus goal season
The brother of Jason Robertson who the Penguins heavily pursued this off-season is starting on the top line with line-mates Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell. Nick Robertson showed off well in pre-season as he has done before in his tenure with the Maple Leafs in prior seasons. This year in my opinion is the year that Nick breaks out and breaks career highs in goals and points under the Dan Muse system.
Robertson has all the tools in his game to succeed but he just needs the harness it under the right coaches and teammates to finally show what he is all about. The lift and pressure away from Toronto media and expectations will also help Robertson be more calm on and off the ice.
3. Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell are moved at or before the trade deadline
Depending on where the Penguins are come trade deadline will in my opinion and third bold prediction see one of the Penguins more veteran wingers moved for either a bigger piece or sold to gain more younger assets. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust have been mentioned in trade talks for quite some time now and this is the year it happens in my mind and it will all sit on where the team is come the start of March. Rust will be the easier player to move as he no longer has trade protection and can be moved anywhere.
Kyle Dubas values these players too high however and didn't sell both when the time is right and he will find he won't get premium assets as he would have before with Rust and Rakell.
4. Bill Zonnon gets his call-up and never leaves the main roster
Bill Zonnon is exactly what the Penguins are looking for as he could be the next Chris Kunitz like player for Pittsburgh. I predict boldly that Zonnon gets called up right around mid season, steps into a big role and doesn't look back and seizes a roster spot and never gets sent back down.
Zonnon had a solid pre-season showing and impressed many fans. He will start the season in the AHL as the new exempt rule is in effect where he is eligible to play in Wilkes and not be sent down to the QMJHL. This will help benefit his game and get him ready.
5. Sidney Crosby nets a 35+ goal season and Dubas dwells moving 87 at the Trade Deadline
This is the boldest of all predictions but there is some uncertainty in my mind whether or not Sidney Crosby believes the Penguins will be able to compete for the Stanley Cup this year. Crosby wants to win so there obviously raises the question that gets asked every year if Kyle Dubas will actually entertain moving Sidney Crosby to another hockey team.
Crosby is entering the season without a contract extension which he did ink two years ago around the same time. Crosby is going to be 40 in the off-season next year and he has continued to be asked about his timeline for the rest of his career. He is in a position to cup chase and no one would blame him if he doesn't resign or gets traded.
Sidney potting 35 plus goals this season is very much in the cards and I see it happening with the gulf in new young blood that's being inserted along side him. He still doesn't have that Jake Guentzel left winger type star but it could be improved this season. This season comes with so many questions itself but with Crosby comes even more.
Injuries have already bottled the Penguins and they will look to battle with some missing pieces to start the season and will test this group early on to start the season
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