Crosby and Malkin put up carbon copies of their 2022-23 seasons. Karlsson provides them with another elite talent to skate with and an offensive needle-mover in his own right. Jarry stays healthy and provides above-average goalie play in the regular season. The combo of high-end offensive production across the top of the lineup and a reliable netminder carries them through at least a couple playoff rounds.
The worst case
Crosby and Malkin hit the wall, turning into average first- and second-line centers overnight. Karlsson struggles to adjust and doesn’t produce enough to counterbalance his defensive issues. The bottom six adds nothing. Jarry misses another chunk of the regular season. Pittsburgh misses the postseason.
96.4 points, 64% chance to make the playoffs, 1% chance to win the Cup. Age effects drag the projections down somewhat, as without them the projection is 99.5, 72, 2.7. For comparison, last year’s roster would be projected for 87 points and 23% to make the playoffs.
They mention a lack of offense from the bottom 6 as a potential problem, even though defensively those lines are certainly more sound than they were. That’s why it’s so important that DOC start finishing his chances.
Bold prediction, if Zohorna plays more games than Carter we make the playoffs. If not we don’t. One caveat is a minimum of 20 games played by at least one of them, if neither play much than it’s a push.
Bold prediction, if Zohorna plays more games than Carter we make the playoffs. If not we don’t. One caveat is a minimum of 20 games played by at least one of them, if neither play much than it’s a push.
I predict at some point in the season - probably the first few months - the issue of playing Carter over other guys comes to a boil. Sullivan will play him but Dubas will not want him out there. The media will pick up on the disagreement. Dubas will win and Sully will not be happy.
I predict at some point in the season - probably the first few months - the issue of playing Carter over other guys comes to a boil. Sullivan will play him but Dubas will not want him out there. The media will pick up on the disagreement. Dubas will win and Sully will not be happy.
That sounds like Penguins fanfiction. You're rooting for the team to fall apart over the guy who is already being actively marginalized in the lineup...by Sullivan?
Believe it or not, there is a way to utilize a guy who can win a faceoff or two as his exclusive skill. Mike Zigomanis had a job in this league and that's all he did.
