How Sliding Penguins Can Avoid Long-Term Distress with a Key NHL Save
As the Pittsburgh Penguins face the possibility of a bleak future, fans and analysts alike are left wondering how long the team can sustain success and avoid becoming another ghost town in the NHL. The Penguins have had their fair share of ups and downs throughout their history, but recent decisions by ownership and management have left many questioning the team’s direction.
The Penguins, once dominant with back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017, have struggled to find playoff success in recent years. This has been compounded by a lack of high-end prospects in their system and questionable contract decisions. Despite these challenges, the organization has failed to make the necessary changes to set themselves up for long-term success.
One of the key issues facing the Penguins is their aging core. Superstars Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang were both signed to multi-year contracts after reaching unrestricted free agency. Malkin, who will be 36 at the start of the next season, signed a four-year deal worth $24.4 million. Letang, who had just turned 35, signed a six-year deal worth $36.6 million. These contracts have tied up significant cap space and limited the team’s ability to make other roster moves.
The team’s struggles have also led to changes in management. After failing to qualify for the playoffs last year, GM Ron Hextall was fired and replaced by Kyle Dubas, who made an immediate splash by trading for Erik Karlsson. However, these moves have not yielded the desired results, and the team is now facing uncertainty with captain Sidney Crosby’s contract set to expire after next season.
Crosby, who has had a remarkable season at age 36, is faced with a difficult decision. Will he choose loyalty to Pittsburgh or prioritize competing for Stanley Cup championships? While many may assume he will sign an extension with the Penguins, the reality is that in a triple-cap business, loyalty can only go so far. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance as Crosby weighs his options.
The Penguins’ struggles are not unique, and there are no easy solutions. However, one possible fix that could be discussed at the GM meetings is a revision to the offside review rule. Currently, teams can challenge a goal if the play was offside, even if the scored-upon team gained possession in the offensive zone. By applying the same guideline used for delayed penalties, where a challenge cannot be made if the offending team gains possession, the NHL could eliminate some of the controversy surrounding offside reviews.
Another issue that faces the league as a whole is the discrepancy between teams located in no-tax states and those in high-tax states. Six teams, including the Golden Knights, Lightning, and Panthers, benefit from being located in no-tax states. This gives them a competitive advantage when it comes to signing free agents and managing their salary cap. While it may not be possible to completely level the playing field, implementing a cap on the 20-man lineup for specific games rather than the roster could help reduce the inequity.
In conclusion, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves at a crossroads. The decisions made by ownership and management in recent years have put the team in a precarious position. With an aging core and limited cap space, the franchise must make difficult choices to ensure long-term success. The future of the team hinges on Sidney Crosby’s decision and how the NHL addresses issues such as offside reviews and tax discrepancies among teams. Only time will tell if the Penguins can avoid long-term distress and return to their former glory.
