One of the highest rated teams going into the NHL season was the Pittsburgh Penguins. So far this season they haven't quite lived up to the hype as they have a very mediocre record of 8-10. Will their uninspiring play continue or will the Pens start playing the way they should be? It's time to find out if the Pittsburgh Penguins Serious or Delirious.
Serious
- The Pens have an amazing mix of young talent combined with veteran leadership. Crosby and Malkin are arguably the best one-two punch in the league, while young players like Ryan Whitney, Jordan Stall, and Ryan Malone can provide consistent play in different areas of the game. Throw veterans Mark Recchi and Gary Roberts into the mix and the Pens have one of the most dynamic rosters in the league.
- They got off to an even worse start last year and managed to finish fifth in the east. Having a bad start will in no way help them when it comes to playoff time, but if they can turn things around and string together some victories they'll be alright.
- Even though they've had some horrible efforts this season, they're still one of the funnest and most exciting teams to watch. The only problem is they haven't been able to play that way consistently. Finding a balance and lines that work won't be a problem for a team with this much talent.
- Any team with a roster like the Penguins is vulnerable to go through some growing pains. This team is still relatively new, and in some cases it takes seasons for guys to learn how to play with each other. There's still over 60 games left, so obviously there's plenty of time to turn things around.
Delirious
- No player on the Pens is at the peak of their career. Think about it. Crosby, Malkin and the other young guys are still learning and their best years won't be for a few seasons. And guys like Recchi and Roberts played their best hockey years ago, and their skills have diminished.
- Marc-Andre Fleury doesn't seem to be the answer in net. When he was chosen first overall in the 2003 draft, Pittsburgh hoped that he would be able to do for them, what Martin Brodeur has done for the Devils. That doesn't seem to be the case now, as Fleury's play has been slightly above average at best. Fleury's skills haven't developed the way Pens fans hoped they would have, and they'll need a better option in net if they want to be among the leagues elite.
- Michel Therrien simply isn't that great of a head coach. Therrien's constant line shuffling and goalie switching has hurt the team tremendously as it's hard for them to find consistency. Therrien isn't a coach who seems like he can lead a team deep into the playoffs. The Pens should consider looking for a coach with a proven track record, and a reputation for improving a team with highly skilled players. If their season continues like this, Therrien will be on the unemployment line.
- A team with this much fire power should be among the league's top five in scoring, but they're currently 12th overall and if they can't keep the puck out of their own net, they'll have a hard time winning games with an average offense.
Final Verdict: It may be closer that some think, and this could easily go either way but the Pens are serious. They over achieved last season and they're under achieving this year. Once they find some consistency in net, and their offense heats up (which it will), they'll be tough to beat. The Pens are still a few years away from being serious Cup contenders, but they're still in the upper echelon in the Eastern Conference.
-Joe Osborne
