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'The Last Ride': Josh Yohe Makes Emotional Statement on What the Penguins Will Look Like This Year
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
Penguins analyst Josh Yohe of The Athletic recently wrote what most Penguins fans are thinking, that 2025-26 is going to be the final ride for so many team icons.
Regardless of what happens with the future of Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby with the franchise is, the upcoming year will be the true end of an era for the team.
Longtime Crosby teammate Evgeni Malkin is expected to be entering his last year in the NHL, as he's without a contract beyond 2026. And while Kris Letang is still signed through 2028, how much longer he plans remains to be seen because of his multitude of health issues which include a pair of strokes and recent heart surgery.
Penguins analyst Josh Yohe also pointed toward the upcoming youth movement that the Penguins are expected to roll with this year under new coach Dan Muse, who was hired after Mike Sullivan was let go.
Though the veterans remain under contract, don't be surprised if players such as Kevin Hayes and Noel Acciari see less playing time. Look for the youth movement to roll in a big way under new coach Dan Muse.
I've been repeating this all offseason because I keep hearing it from people around the organization: The Penguins want to go young this season.
They haven't been committed to a youth movement like this in 20 years.
I've been repeating this all offseason because I keep hearing it from people around the organization: The Penguins want to go young this season.
They haven't been committed to a youth movement like this in 20 years.
No matter what, it's likely going to be the last chance for Penguins fans to see the trio of Crosby, Malkin and Letang all together on the ice.
Despite this, Crosby has no interest in the thought of the Penguins trying to tank the year.
Sidney Crosby also denied wanting to leave Pittsburgh
Even though it was almost unthinkable in years past, Crosby is finding himself the subject of trade rumors. He wants to win another Stanley Cup before he retires, and that's not going to happen with the Penguins.
Despite that, he recently made it clear he has no intention of leaving Pittsburgh.
This is where I want to be. I love it here. I can't keep having to answer the same questions over and over again. People want to write about that or say that, that's fine. I can't really control that.
Last year, Crosby had 91 points (33G, 58A).
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 17 | 62 ANSWERS 'The Last Ride': Josh Yohe Makes Emotional Statement on What the Penguins Will Look Like This Year Will Kris Letang still be playing beyond this upcoming season? | ||
| Yes | 31 | 50 % |
| No | 31 | 50 % |
| List of polls | ||