Team: 2020-21 Pittsburgh Penguins

Initial Creation Date: Jan. 11, 2021

Published: Jan. 11, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

This is what I imagine the healthy lines look like once ZAR comes back.

All off-season I think I was under-estimating Jankowski. The more I look into him and watch him play I actually think he could be a good fit. The third line when healthy of McCann-Janko-Tanev could actually be a great 3rd line. McCann will need to step up as a shooter and provide goal support to 1st and 2nd lines.

The 4th line will probably be shifted around with injuries quite often. Lafferty and Rodriguez will likely be in the lineup most nights.

The top 6 is very strong. I hope they can stay healthy. I think once Kapanen gets acclimated he will be a great fit with Sid and Jake. I think Sid is going to have a monster year. The last time people started to doubt him we went off to win back2back cups and was dominant. I personally still think he is the best all-around player in the world and think he will show that again this year. I see Crosby winning some individual hardware at the end of the year. At least 1 or a combo of Hart, Art Ross, Selke, Rocket, Messier (It`s a crime he has only one leadership award)

The 2nd line could be the best 2nd line in the NHL. Probably Pitt or Edm.

On D, Dumo-Letang is going to be great as always - just need to stay healthy.

I think Matheson is going to have a great year. Marino will also take a step forward offensively.

Ceci will be fine. MP I think will be traded at some point this year. POJ could step in or they bring someone in via trade.

Pens do have over 2M in cap space.

The biggest difference this year will be speed and the PP. Reirden will bring back an elite PP unit. Letang will thrive in this new set up. So will Sid and Malkin.

PK will be strong again as well. There are multiple others that could see time on these units (Kapanen, Rust, ScevIour, ZAR, Crosby, Guentzel, Marino)

I hope and think Jarry will pull through. He has a lot of pressure to preform well this year. He is the biggest question mark but I do have faith in him. I am less comfortable with Desmith. With the amount of B2B games and condensed schedule he is going to have to play quite a lot of games and he will need to step up. If he isn`t cutting it 1 month into the season I could see them biting the bullet and pulling off a trade for another more dependable goalie. GMJR likes his goalie depth.

This is it. Pens need a deep playoff run or the core is probably getting broken up (and should be if they can`t be successful anymore). I think the Pens surprise people and finish 1st or 2nd in the division (barring a bunch of injuries to key players).

If Jarry delivers and they stay healthy I see it as follows.

Flyers
Penguins
Capitals
Sabres
Islanders
Bruins
Rangers
Devils

Keep in mind that the East division is absolutely insane and I honestly wouldn`t be too surprised if any team outside of NJ wins it. I think Boston is going to fall off a bit and will struggle with injuries off the bat. Losing Chara hurts too.

Philly is a damn good team. Their forward depth is pretty crazy and Hart is going to have a big year.

Caps I could see missing or winning the division but I think they probably finish somewhere 2-4.

I think Eichel, Hall, Dahlin carry Buffalo to the playoffs. They are probably the hungriest team. I think they pull it off.

Islanders are weird to me. Trotz could will them to the playoffs but I think they lose a step this year. They lost some quality players this offseason and other teams all got better.

If I were to guess the top 4 teams from each conference I would say by the end of the year it will be:

Flyers Pens Caps Hurricanes (maybe the Leafs?)

Avalanche Knights Stars Oilers