2014-15 record: 43-27-12 (98 points)
Lost to the New York Rangers in Conference quarterfinals
Captain: Sidney Crosby
The Pittsburgh Penguins were supposed to be a heavy favorite to contend for the Stanley Cup last year. Along the way, they forgot how to score and fell to 19th despite having both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the lineup. A closer look reveals that while Crosby played closer to the level one is used to seeing, Malkin was slowed by injuries while only Patric Hornqvist contributed significantly, and even he missed time to injuries. With new faces in Nick Bonino and Eric Fehr, plus Russian import Sergei Plotinkin, the Penguins should see their offensive numbers rise. Of course, it also helps that the Penguins may have finally solved their perpetual wing issue with the acquisition of Phil Kessel, whose only issue will be whether he plays alongside Crosby or Malkin. Defensively, Kris Letang should be healthy, but he will be coming back to a pretty different blue line, as it will be considerably younger. Olli Maatta gets a mulligan for a sophomore season wiped out because of health while either or both Derrick Pouliot and Brian Dumolin will see time now that Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff move on. With Rob Scuderi and Ben Lovejoy having question marks, it is possible that Adam Clendening and/or Tim Erixon could see time, as well. Goaltending is in good hands, as Marc-Andre Fleury played like an MVP in keeping the Penguins in the playoffs, as well playing lights out despite bowing out to the Rangers in five games in the opening round.
Prediction: 3rd in the Metropolitan Division
The Penguins should know by now what coach Mike Johnston expects of them, and with Kessel on board to play alongside either Crosby or Malkin plus Fleury's MVP-like performance, there's no reason to think the Penguins shouldn't be strong contenders once again. However, they do play in a division with Washington and the Rangers, so anything can happen.
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