Last season didn’t end the way many Penguins fans hoped: an embarrassing first round sweep at the hands of a team that got swept by a team that got swept by the team that lost the Cup final. The Penguins were last year’s ultimate playoff losers, a humiliating end for a team just two seasons removed from back-to-back Cups.



That came after an uneven season where Pittsburgh finished with 100 points, but didn’t look all that convincing in doing so. It has created some skepticism about the club, especially after yet another strange offseason. While I see the argument for downgrading the Penguins, I’m not sure I agree with it. They may no longer be the league’s best team or even in the conversation for it, but Pittsburgh should still be a contender with next season being business as usual as long as the core remains intact.



Last preseason we predicted the Penguins would finish with 100 points and that’s exactly where they finished.