Puck Daddy’s 2016-17 NHL Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins

Last Season: 48-26-8 (104 points), 2nd in the Metropolitan, 2nd in the East.

A slow start led to the dismissal of head coach Mike Johnston in December. Mike Sullivan was promoted from their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre and that was when things began to change. Couple that move with some shrewd trades by GM Jim Rutherford and that led the way for the Penguins to win their fourth Stanley Cup title.

Along the way, Sidney Crosby returned to playing all-world hockey like we remember; Pascal Dupuis had to sadly walk away from the game; Matt Murray emerged as a future No. 1 goaltender with an expansion draft on the horizon; and Phil Kessel became a Stanley Cup champion.

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2015-16 Season, In One Picture

Did They Get Better, Worse, Or Are They About The Same?

About the same, with the chance to be even better. A full 82-game slate under Sullivan and the system that jumpstarted the offense last season should be fun to watch. The Penguins’ cap situation meant they couldn’t add a bunch to their roster, so Rutherford instead focused on bringing back key pieces like Matt Cullen and Justin Schultz, while allowing Ben Lovejoy to cash in in New Jersey.

Five Most Fascinating Players

1. Marc-Andre Fleury. A late-season injury derailed his chances of leading the Penguins into the 2016 playoffs. We know how the story went, and now with an expansion draft eight months away, Fleury’s future in Pittsburgh is murky. The owner of a no-movement clause, he would have to waive it in order to be exposed for selection by Las Vegas.

2. Matt Murray. He’ll start the season sidelined with a hand injury, but when he returns the Penguins will want to see him continue the success he had in last season’s playoffs.

3. Trevor Daley. The veteran blue liner was given a lifeline when he was dealt from the Chicago Blackhawks for Rob Scuderi and moved to his off-side. He was a big part of their revamped defense and power play, helping them succeed through two and a half rounds before an ankle injury ended his postseason. At 32, he has one year left on his contract and could play himself into one last NHL deal with a good showing.

4. Chris Kunitz. The 37-year-old forward is entering the final year of deal, and with the Penguins’ cap situation and young players ready for increased roles it’s likely his last in Pittsburgh. Coming off back-to-back years of identical stat lines (17-23-40), can he be a productive secondary scorer for one more season?

5. Justin Schultz. After being traded from Edmonton in January, Schultz excelled under Sullivan and was a revelation in the postseason for Pittsburgh. He signed a one-year deal in the summer with an eye toward cashing in after the season. Will a full season in Sullivan’s system show us who Schultz was hyped up to be all along?

Mascot Hijinks Video Break

Can We Trust Them At Even Strength?

Yes. The Penguins finished the regular season as a top-five possession team, which was boosted by Sullivan’s hiring. Under the new coach, Pittsburgh was a 55 percent Fenwick team, per Corsica Hockey, good enough for second overall. That success allowed them to score 160 goals at 5-on-5, which was fourth best last season.

Can We Trust Them On Special Teams?

Yes. The power play dipped a little from 2014-15 (to 18.4 percent), but when you can send the likes of Crosby (10 PPG), Kessel (17 PPP), Evgeni Malkin (11 PPG), Kris Letang (27 PPP) and Patric Hornqvist (9 PPG) over the boards, you’re going to succeed a lot.

Pittsburgh was again strong on the PK finishing fifth overall (84.4 percent) and scoring 11 shorthanded goals. Bringing back Cullen (3 SHG) will help, as will another year of Eric Fehr (4 SHG), Nick Bonino and a full season with Carl Hagelin.

Can We Trust Their Goaltending?

Fleury had another strong season with five shutouts and a .927 even strength save percentage. He lost his job before the playoffs due to an injury, but is healthy now and will be their No. 1 to start 2016-17 as Murray heals from a broken hand.

When Murray returns, the Penguins will have a nice problem with two No. 1s to choose from in goal. The 2016-17 season will do a lot to help clear up their goaltending future, as Murray will want to prove that his playoff run was no fluke.

Player Mostly Likely To Be In Vegas Next Season

Marc-Andre Fleury. Despite his no-move clause, the writing appears to be on the wall that his days in Pittsburgh are numbered. Unless something drastic happens with Murray, Fleury will either be left exposed in the expansion draft or be traded at some point this season to a team who could really used some improved goaltending.

Coach Hot Seat Rating (1-10, 10 being scorching hot)

1. Sullivan breathed life into the Penguins’ lineup after he was promoted. Not only did the system work, but Crosby went back to being an elite scorer following weeks of “What’s wrong with Sidney Crosby?” columns. He may be good pals with John Tortorella, but they certainly think the game much differently.

Prediction

It’s tough to repeat as Stanley Cup champions, just ask every team since the 1998 Detroit Red Wings; so the Penguins will have their challenges in trying to climb that mountain this season. The AHL kids who came up late last season and performed – Bryan Rust, Conor Sheary, Matt Murray – will be expected to keep that going, and the stars will need to continue to be stars in order to fight through a competitive Eastern Conference.

The Penguins are set up for another deep playoff run and it won’t come easy. But it’s not tough to picture them back in the conference final on the doorstep of another Stanley Cup Final appearance.

2016-17 Season Preview
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy