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Penguins' "X-Generation" of Prospects Ready to Shape Franchise Future
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
The Pittsbrugh Penguins are in a transitional period with a difficult rebuild lying ahead, one that won't shape up to be anything like the process in 2003-04.
The Pittsburgh Penguins could have a long and difficult rebuild ahead of them, similar to the one they started around 2003-04 and right before the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin era began.
Crosby, Malkin, Letang Provide Bridge to the Next Era
Crosby and Malkin aren't getting any younger, and it's not going to be very long before both of them decide to hang up the skates.
Per analyst Jim Rixner of PensBurgh, the Penguins have lots of young prospects that are similar to some of the players that were up and coming around 2003-04, including Rutger McGroarty, Owen Pickering, Philip Tomasino, and Tristan Broz.
Rutger McGroarty fits the part. A young, exciting player that plays with emotion is bound to be a fan favorite in any era and give the folks someone easy to root for. Ville Koivunen, too. Sprinkle in some Owen Pickering, Philip Tomasino and maybe even a bit deeper with the hope and promise of Tristan Broz and Avery Hayes and there's high potential for a «these might not all be THE guys, but they're going to be OUR guys for now» short-term nucleus until that next wave of elite talent hits.
Why Today's Rebuild Looks Nothing Like 2003-04
The major issue between Pittsburgh's current approaching rebuild and the one that started in 2003-04 is that they got a pair of elite franchise-altering talents in Crosby and Malkin to work with for that rebuild that began resulting in multiple Stanley Cup wins and a multi-year playoff streak.
Unless the Penguins were to tank and receive the 1st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with the right to choose phenom forward Gavin McKenna, they may not have Hall of Fame-worthy talent to lead their next rebuild.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 1 | 23 ANSWERS Penguins' "X-Generation" of Prospects Ready to Shape Franchise Future Will the Penguins get the 1st overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft? | ||
| Yes | 7 | 30.4 % |
| No | 16 | 69.6 % |
| List of polls | ||