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Why the Penguins Could Spiral Into One of NHL's Worst Teams in 2025-26
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
The Penguins have missed the playoffs in each of the last 3 years, and not many projections have them coming back into the playoffs this year, meaning Penguins fans could be in for a rough outing.
It's been a while since the Pittsburgh Penguins have made the playoffs, and the latest projects aren't being kind to the chances of them breaking that streak this year.
Aging Core and Cap Mismanagement Leave Pittsburgh Vulnerable
The Penguins core trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are all a year older now, and while Crosby showed he can still play at an elite level last year, he can't do it alone.
Letang is quickly declining, as is fellow defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has been heavily involved in recent trade rumors.
Multiple analysts have expressed dismay over GM Kyle Dubas not being able to find a trade partner for Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, another pair of players who most figured would have been dealt away by now.
Defensive Woes, Goaltending Uncertainty Signal a Long Season Ahead
Not only has Pittsburgh's blue line struggled in recent years, but their goaltending also hasn't been up to par.
The Penguins even waived Tristan Jarry at one point last year and sent him to the AHL to work on his game, while Alex Nedeljkovic, who had been rewarded with a 2 year contract extension, couldn't capture his form of the previous year.
Jarry is back to being the de facto start in the Penguins' crease after the trade of Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks, but that's little consolation to Penguins fans considering his struggles.
The Pittsburgh Penguins haven't made the playoffs in the last 3 years, which represents the longest drought in the careers of Crosby, Malkin, and Letang.
Aside from the possibility that 2025-26 is Malkin's last year in the NHL, there may not be much for Penguins fans to get excited about.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 26 | 53 ANSWERS Why the Penguins Could Spiral Into One of NHL's Worst Teams in 2025-26 Do the Penguins have any realistic shot at the playoffs this year? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 52.8 % |
| No | 25 | 47.2 % |
| List of polls | ||