Is It Time For the Penguins to Rebuild?

For nearly twenty years the Penguins have been the model of consistency in the NHL. Since the 2006-07 season, they have made four Stanley Cup finals appearances and won three of them. They also made the playoffs for sixteen consecutive seasons in that period, with the streak only ending last season. Now with a core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang all of this success shouldn’t come as a surprise.

However, after the sixteen consecutive seasons of a playoff appearance ended last season, the Penguins knew something had to change. This prompted them to bring in former Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Doubas as president of hockey operations. Doubas would spend the summer trying to revamp this roster acquiring players like Erik Karlsson, Ryan Graves, and Lars Eller. It seemed like the Penguins were loading up for another deep playoff run.

However, despite this busy offseason, things haven’t gone the way they hoped. They’re currently seventh in the Metro division with a record of 13-13-3, giving them only 29 points. These struggles have made people question the future of the Penguins. Is it time for the Penguins to wave the white and go into a rebuild?

Why the Penguins Should Rebuild

Yes, it’s never easy to admit your contention window is over. Especially when it’s been open as long as the Penguins have, however, it’s time for the Penguins to face reality. Currently, they have the oldest roster in the NHL, with an average age of 30.8. They are the only team to have an average age over 30 this season. Not to mention the fact the core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang are closing in on 40 years old, and their games have taken a step back. The roster just isn’t skilled or fast enough to keep up with the other teams in the Metro division.

With the Penguins’ skill level being so behind the teams ahead of them, the only way they can expect to compete is to tear down the roster and start over. Try to get younger and focus on speed and skill. The two main factors that led to the Penguins having all that success for twenty years. Especially during the back-to-back Cup runs. It’s the only way they can expect to catch up with the other teams in the Metro and the other Eastern Conference teams. Dobuas is also still early enough into his Penguins tenure, that he can make a pivot like this, and be able to see it through. Not like if it is a few years from now and Dobuas is rebuilding to try and save his job.

Even though the roster is on the older side, there are still a few pieces they can move that can net them a decent return. They’re not going to move players like Crosby, Malkin, or Letang. They mean way too much to the organization, and no team is going to pay the king’s ransom to get them. However, players like Karlsson, Tristian Jarry, Jake Guentzel, and Rickard Rakell could all be on the move. Jerry would get the most in return, especially from a goaltender-needy team like the Kings or Oilers. However, all four of them would get a good enough return to jump-start a rebuild.

Why the Penguins Shouldn’t Rebuild

The biggest reason against the Penguins going into a rebuild is the core of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang. Sure their play is beginning to regress however they are still some of the best players in the NHL. Not only that but Crosby is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NHL. A core like that doesn’t come along often, so when you have one you try to squeeze as much success out of them as possible. This also doesn’t include other talented players on the roster like Karlsson, Eller, Rakell, Graves, Reilly Smith, etc.

Even though they’re in seventh in the metro, that doesn’t tell the whole story of the season. They’re only five points back of a wild card spot. So it’s not unrealistic that the Penguins could get hot, rattled off a few wins, and be in a playoff spot. Sure the roster isn’t good enough on its own to make a deep run. However, it is good enough to stay somewhat competitive until the trade deadline. The Penguins can make a few moves to help boost the roster and be as good as they were in 2017.

Now it’s too early right now for the Penguins to make a decision one way or another. We’re going to have to see how this team plays over the next month or so. Not only that but we need to see how far back they are a month away from the trade deadline. At that point, we’ll have a better idea of what this roster can realistically do.

Thanks for reading! Credit for my feature image goes to Minas Panagiotakis. You can find more NHL content at Belly Up Sports and follow me on X/Twitter.