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Erik Karlsson outlines what Penguins need to do to right the ship
Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson knows the team has struggled mightily, and he revealed that they must look forward and not dwell on the past to fix things.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the holiday break and near the midway point of the 2025-26 NHL season. Their current standing is what was anticipated, but the journey to reach it has been full of surprises.
It was only a matter of time before the top three in Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, began to show the effects of age, and to varying levels, all three have done that to some degree.
The veteran player that has struggled the most so far this year
Letang has struggled the most among the three, but he has been playing some of the toughest hockey of his career.
The defensemen of the Pittsburgh Penguins have lacked cohesion this year, which was well-expected with the roster Pittsburgh has. Even Letang's sparks have been few.
One player who could provide a spark is Ville Koivunen. Expectations were high for him this season after an impressive late debut in 2024-25 and a strong AHL performance, and the team is looking for more from him at the NHL level.
Why Erik Karlsson is trying to remain positive
Defenseman Erik Karlsson admitted the current state of the team but emphasized the need to look ahead. He said the holiday break is a chance to recharge, emphasizing that the Penguins need to focus on the future and not dwell on past mistakes.
"Christmas is one of the best times of the year," Erik Karlsson said. "We're going to enjoy the three-day break. Not only us, but everybody needs that. We just have to come back and look forward, not behind us."
- Erik Karlsson
- Erik Karlsson
They will get their chance to prove all the doubters wrong when they take to the ice vs. the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday at 7 PM ET.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 85 ANSWERS Erik Karlsson outlines what Penguins need to do to right the ship If the Penguins forget the past and look ahead, will that help fix things? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 69.4 % |
| No | 26 | 30.6 % |
| List of polls | ||