How the Penguins should approach the rest of 2024-25 - ESPN

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a precarious position. The franchise has been blessed for decades with Mount Rushmore-level players such as Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby, and supported by future Hall of Famers like Jaromir Jagr, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Whether the team was good, there was always the chance that something special would occur on a nightly basis.

For years, the Penguins were the class of the NHL: brilliant playoff series against the Washington Capitals, incredible Game 7 victories and three Stanley Cups in four Cup Final appearances in the salary cap era (since 2005-06). There is an argument to be made that they have been the most consistently successful team in the cap era.

Now, things are different. Gone are the days of Stanley Cup expectations, and the playoffs are a stretch.

What should management do in the short and medium term to get this team back in contention? Make some additions this year for another kick at the can with the core veterans? Begin the process of building more for the future? Or try to thread the needle and do both?

ONE THING REMAINS consistent from the dominant era: The Penguins are being carried by players who will soon have their number in the rafters. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are scoring nearly a point per game in the twilight of their careers.

However, Crosby's even-strength value ranks the worst in his illustrious career, just above break-even. Malkin has never been a defensive stalwart, but he's losing the expected goals and scoring-chance battle by more than 10% this season. While both players are producing admirably, the Penguins need them to win their minutes on a more consistent basis.

Rickard Rakell has been excellent, providing tangible value on both sides