Honestly finishing ~23rd is the worst possible outcome. Not a threat to make the playoffs and not bad enough to get a high pick.
hammertown87
I’d rather tank and start the penguins superstar process all over again.
thenewpilot
Is Ned the starter this year? The graphic makes it look that way
RetroJake
Eh. I mean, making projections in the NHL pretty much means nothing. The upsets and under performances are staggering.
merskrilla
i’d say we do pretty much the exact same thing we did last year.
pixiesfanyo
Sounds about right.
guccidane13
I mean that’s not a playoff team, but it’s also not a full rebuild. It’s like a slow transition to a rebuild team. 23rd doesn’t sound far off looking at the team on paper.
HailState17
Projected by whom?
Some random on Twitter? Meh. I’ll wait for the season to start.
tcari394
I am optimistic about this team every year and this year is no different. If guys like Graves and Rakell have solid bounce back years, I think this team is a legitimate threat to at least make the playoffs.
My take may also be delusional. *shrugs*
swifferbrain
This season depends on the second line. If they come back with the same chemistry, the Pens could squeak into the playoffs. We saw how much better they are with scoring outside of crosbys line. If the powerplay can become not embarrassing with Reirden gone, that just gives them even more of a fighting chance.
All that being said, I wouldn’t be surprised with finishing 23rd.
Kineada11
Yeah, maybe they finish 23rd. I also think when you have one of the greatest players of all time on the team, anything can happen and they could make some sort of improbable run. I wouldn’t be shocked either way.
Direct-Ice2594
Ride the wave at the end of last season all the way to the cup baby
Direct-Ice2594
Ride the wave at the end of last season all the way to the cup baby
sots33
Depends on the power play, and if they can defend leads. This is what did them in the last two years. A better power play and consistent defending likely makes them playoff teams the last two years.
Advanced_Office616
I would give them maybe 10% chance of making the playoffs, but 23rd seems a bit harsh.
Active-Possibility77
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say they actually surprise the pundits and make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. You heard it here first.
HarkeyPuck
Cody Glass?
woodyh16
Nonsense, we’ll finish 17th and miss the playoffs on the last day.
autumndwellingdream
Puckempire is not a legit source to take into consideration whatsoever.
Hank_the_Beef
I think the Pens will be pushing for a wildcard this year. I think Dubas has done a good job so far picking up guys on the cheap who are younger and have a certain pedigree. Much happier with our bottom six options this year compared to last.
ChoinoX
Everyone writing us off already as if we werent a singular point out of the playoffs with a completely broken powerplay that if even below average and not basement level we would’ve already been in (and now have fired the assumedly primary cause of that powerplay being broken and replaced that coach with the one that knows how to build a PP around Karlsson). Combine that with the lightning in the bottle of Bunting on that second line, increased depth in the bottom six, and changes on defense, and we’re golden. I seriously don’t get how people just act like making the playoffs is some far fetched achievement for this team when our core has shown they have not fallen off.
ImFromDaBurghNat
They’re good enough to get into and bad enough to not get in. Pretty much my same thoughts on the Steelers right now. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out
That_Odd_Dude
Wouldn’t surprise me if St Ivany takes Ryan Graves spot in the top 4 honestly.
HoosierWLaf
If our powerplay was booty last season, we made the playoffs… I truly believe this is a strong team. Either way love the pens! Win or lose!
jollyrog8
An average’ish power play, Bunting continuing to gel very well on the second line (it cannot be understated how good the second line was the final month of last season), slightly above average goaltending again, and literally any sign of life from the bottom six, and Pens could surprise people and squeak into a wildcard spot. It’s feasible.
On the other hand, everyone is one year older and we were lucky with injuries last season, so I think it’s a toss-up. I could see us miss out by a few points again, but 23rd place seems harsh unless something goes very wrong or a bunch of players underperform again.
Graves and Letang together give me some concern but what can ya do? It’s too bad we can’t double shift Pettersson every game haha, he’s really the glue on defense but I think he’s best paired with Karlsson.
baz8771
Psssssh. 82-0 baybee
New-Contribution-244
I’ll see you all during the stanley cup when they will win it all. They’ll go 82-0 and then 16-0.
28 Comments
Nah we’re winning it this year for sure
Honestly finishing ~23rd is the worst possible outcome. Not a threat to make the playoffs and not bad enough to get a high pick.
I’d rather tank and start the penguins superstar process all over again.
Is Ned the starter this year? The graphic makes it look that way
Eh. I mean, making projections in the NHL pretty much means nothing. The upsets and under performances are staggering.
i’d say we do pretty much the exact same thing we did last year.
Sounds about right.
I mean that’s not a playoff team, but it’s also not a full rebuild. It’s like a slow transition to a rebuild team. 23rd doesn’t sound far off looking at the team on paper.
Projected by whom?
Some random on Twitter? Meh. I’ll wait for the season to start.
I am optimistic about this team every year and this year is no different. If guys like Graves and Rakell have solid bounce back years, I think this team is a legitimate threat to at least make the playoffs.
My take may also be delusional. *shrugs*
This season depends on the second line. If they come back with the same chemistry, the Pens could squeak into the playoffs. We saw how much better they are with scoring outside of crosbys line. If the powerplay can become not embarrassing with Reirden gone, that just gives them even more of a fighting chance.
All that being said, I wouldn’t be surprised with finishing 23rd.
Yeah, maybe they finish 23rd. I also think when you have one of the greatest players of all time on the team, anything can happen and they could make some sort of improbable run. I wouldn’t be shocked either way.
Ride the wave at the end of last season all the way to the cup baby
Ride the wave at the end of last season all the way to the cup baby
Depends on the power play, and if they can defend leads. This is what did them in the last two years. A better power play and consistent defending likely makes them playoff teams the last two years.
I would give them maybe 10% chance of making the playoffs, but 23rd seems a bit harsh.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say they actually surprise the pundits and make it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. You heard it here first.
Cody Glass?
Nonsense, we’ll finish 17th and miss the playoffs on the last day.
Puckempire is not a legit source to take into consideration whatsoever.
I think the Pens will be pushing for a wildcard this year. I think Dubas has done a good job so far picking up guys on the cheap who are younger and have a certain pedigree. Much happier with our bottom six options this year compared to last.
Everyone writing us off already as if we werent a singular point out of the playoffs with a completely broken powerplay that if even below average and not basement level we would’ve already been in (and now have fired the assumedly primary cause of that powerplay being broken and replaced that coach with the one that knows how to build a PP around Karlsson). Combine that with the lightning in the bottle of Bunting on that second line, increased depth in the bottom six, and changes on defense, and we’re golden. I seriously don’t get how people just act like making the playoffs is some far fetched achievement for this team when our core has shown they have not fallen off.
They’re good enough to get into and bad enough to not get in. Pretty much my same thoughts on the Steelers right now. Can’t wait to see how it all shakes out
Wouldn’t surprise me if St Ivany takes Ryan Graves spot in the top 4 honestly.
If our powerplay was booty last season, we made the playoffs… I truly believe this is a strong team. Either way love the pens! Win or lose!
An average’ish power play, Bunting continuing to gel very well on the second line (it cannot be understated how good the second line was the final month of last season), slightly above average goaltending again, and literally any sign of life from the bottom six, and Pens could surprise people and squeak into a wildcard spot. It’s feasible.
On the other hand, everyone is one year older and we were lucky with injuries last season, so I think it’s a toss-up. I could see us miss out by a few points again, but 23rd place seems harsh unless something goes very wrong or a bunch of players underperform again.
Graves and Letang together give me some concern but what can ya do? It’s too bad we can’t double shift Pettersson every game haha, he’s really the glue on defense but I think he’s best paired with Karlsson.
Psssssh. 82-0 baybee
I’ll see you all during the stanley cup when they will win it all. They’ll go 82-0 and then 16-0.