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Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals' Stunning Franchise Turnaround Reportedly Giving Crosby Mixed Feelings
The Washington Capitals, a divisional foe of the Penguins, managed to enjoy a stunning turnaround last year, and it's reportedly giving Sidney Crosby mixed thoughts.
It's now been 3 years since the Pittsburgh Penguins have gotten to the postseason, marking the longest drought in the NHL careers of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.
Right now, things don't appear to be much better heading into the new season, as most projections have them once again missing, which would stretch their drought into a 4th year.
At the same time, the divisional foe Washington Capitals have managed a major franchise turnaround. They did make the playoffs in 2024, but were the last team that qualified on the final day of the year thanks to a tiebreaker.
They were immediately swept by the New York Rangers and appeared potentially heading for a rebuild themselves. But after a few moves during the summer, the Capitals became the best team in the Eastern Conference in just a year's time.
Their quick turnaround is reportedly giving Sidney Crosby mixed feelings, per analyst Josh Yohe.
The Washington Capitals' stunning success last season caught Crosby's attention. He saw the way the Capitals went from rebuilding to instant contender, and I believe he'd like a similar plan in Pittsburgh.
Does this mean Crosby and Dubas are at odds? Certainly not. I'm under the impression, after talking to many people within the organization, that their relationship is fine.
But I do think Crosby would like to see more urgency in terms of making the Penguins winners again.
Does this mean Crosby and Dubas are at odds? Certainly not. I'm under the impression, after talking to many people within the organization, that their relationship is fine.
But I do think Crosby would like to see more urgency in terms of making the Penguins winners again.
The Penguins had multiple high performing players last year
Even though they missed the playoffs, the Penguins had multiple high performing players last year.
Crosby was his usual self with 91 points, but both Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust eclipsed the 30-goal mark/.
Perhaps in Crosby's mind, only a few tweaks are necessary to get them back into contention in the same way the Capitals did, but GM Kyle Dubas is likely thinking differently.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 51 ANSWERS Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals' Stunning Franchise Turnaround Reportedly Giving Crosby Mixed Feelings Do the Penguins have any chance of repeating the quick turnaround the Capitals experienced? | ||
| Yes | 27 | 52.9 % |
| No | 24 | 47.1 % |
| List of polls | ||