Stories of five penguins to watch in 2024-25

With training camp just around the corner, NHL teams are preparing for the 2024-25 season.

For the Pittsburgh Penguins – who have missed the playoffs two seasons in a row – there will be plenty of storylines to keep an eye on throughout the season.

But we’ve picked five particularly interesting stories worth watching in 2024-25.

1. Crosby and Pettersson’s contractual situations

Sidney Crosby’s “will he, won’t he” will undoubtedly be the biggest story until the day Crosby actually signs an extension with the Penguins. All signs point to this being the case, as one longtime Penguins source said. Rob Rossi of The Athletic reported that Crosby has told close friends he intends to sign but is still considering how long he wants to play.

But until then, both Penguins fans and national media are expected to continue speculating as to whether or not he will end his career in Pittsburgh – even though this speculation is largely unfounded and contradictory to what Crosby, GM and POHO Kyle Dubas have said.

On the other hand, there is some legitimate buzz surrounding defenseman Marcus Pettersson. There are rumors that the Penguins prefer to postpone extension negotiations to see what happens to Crosby first.

But the reality is this: Pettersson has emerged as a good top-four defenseman and is also the Penguins’ most tradeable asset. He will be a UFA after the 2024-25 season, so by all measures it makes sense for Dubas and company to wait the situation out until the trade deadline approaches. And it will be interesting to see what the Penguins decide to do – even if they are competing at the deadline.

2. Will Rust and Rakell be able to stay healthy and keep production under control?

In 2022-23, Bryan Rust finally had a healthy season, but struggled for most of it before finishing strong, scoring 20 goals and 46 points in 81 games. He bounced back strongly last season, scoring 28 goals and 56 points in just 62 games.

Almost the exact opposite of Rust, Rickard Rakell had a fantastic campaign in 2022-23, with 28 goals and 60 points. So he struggled mightily at the start of 2023-24 – It took until December 23rd for him to score a goal – and finished strong despite suffering from a shoulder injury most of the season. He scored 15 goals and 37 points in 70 games.

Both players provide 200-foot value. Rust has speed and is a force on both special teams units, and Rakell was the Penguins’ best defensive forward last season and is effective on the forecheck and power play. Without Jake Guentzel, will they be able to carry most of the scoring on the wings?

Although Rust plays to Crosby’s right, it remains to be seen where Rakell will fit. While he can play on both wings effectively, he will likely start the season with Michael Bunting and Evgeni Malkin, which has proven to be an effective line down the stretch in 2023-24. He was successful with 87, but Rakell’s deployment will largely depend on whether the Penguins reach the top six before the season starts.

Assuming that doesn’t happen, it’s critical that Rust and Rakell stay healthy and consistently produce as high-scoring wingers on their respective lines.

3. Will the Penguins give their young guys a chance?

We mentioned the addition to the top six, and while there are still some intriguing options on the trade market – including sniper Patrik Laine and one young player with upside on Nicholas Robertson – it’s probably safe for aLet’s assume the existing lineup is probably the one we’ll see at the start of the season.

That said, it doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t help on the horizon. There are some younger prospects such as Tristan Broz, Vasily Ponomarev and Brayden Yagerwho could make legitimate attempts for roster spots. There are also some younger, more experienced players – namely Valtteri Puustinen and Sam Poulin – who are more likely to assert their place in the squad.

But the question is this: will these young men actually have the chance to play meaningful minutes? The Penguins — and coach Mike Sullivan — haven’t had a great track record in recent seasons of allowing young players to take on bigger roles on the team.

But then again, with Guentzel out of the equation, they may have no choice. There is a gap in the top six – which, at this point, will likely be filled by Drew O’Connor early on – that could be up for grabs. So it will be interesting to see how the competition between the younger players for a top-six position plays out.

4. Will the power play improve enough to make them competitive?

This is perhaps the biggest performance-related storyline to follow in 2024-25. Over the past two seasons, the Penguins’ power play has simply cost them hockey games – and, likely, playoff spots:

Last year’s power play coach Todd Rierden was fired this summerand former coach of the New York Rangers and San Jose Sharks David Quinn was hired to replace him. Quinn’s history with defenseman Erik Karlsson — the supposed power play quarterback — could pay off in this scenario, as Karlsson scored 101 points and won the Norris Trophy under Quinn in 2022-23.

But personal aside, it was time for a new voice in the power play. It will be interesting to see whether or not Quinn decides to change the scheme, change zone entry methods, and change players. Whatever the case, fans should expect some changes to a power play that ranked 30th and clicked with a meager 15.3 percent in 2023-24.

With the star power the Penguins have on their power play, there is no excuse for their poor performance. It will be fun — or harrowing — to see whether or not Quinn can improve the Penguins’ fortunes on the power play and help them regain playoff eligibility.

5. How short is Sullivan’s leash?

This is a topic we’ve spoken a few times this summer. But needless to say, it’s a big topic of discussion for a reason.

Sullivan has coached the Penguins since December 2015, and after winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 and losing to the Washington Capitals in the second round in 2018, he still hasn’t gotten over the hump. The Penguins lost four consecutive first-round playoff series before failing to qualify for the postseason the past two years.

Sullivan’s professional situation largely depends on the direction Dubas and the organization decide to take — whether they still hope to compete or are selling themselves into a rebuild. But if it’s a mix of the two, and the former is in the cards, Sullivan’s leash length will be a major story once again this season.

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Related: Opinion: Sidney Crosby’s future is presumably clear – but it’s not up to us to decide