Once playoff fixtures, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a rebuild
There’s *** lot of narratives out there and and I don’t think *** lot of those have come from me, so, you know, this is where I want to be. I love it here and um. You know, I, I can’t, I can’t keep having to answer the same question over again because of these narratives, you know, like if people want to write about that or say that, that’s, that’s fine, but, um, you know, I can’t, I can’t really control that obviously uh. When you lose and when there’s certain things that happen, I think it’s normal for that stuff to come up, but you know that’s how I feel. I think Pat knows how much I put into it, how much I love it, and how much I want to be in the playoffs. You know whether that, you know, whether those quotes were taken, you know, for what they were or there was *** different uh *** different question to get put into those quotes. I, I don’t know. I don’t know the backstory and Pat and I didn’t have *** conversation prior prior to him, you know, talking, um, when he did her addressing the media. So I think he I think he knows that it’s not difficult when you lose and and I think that. You know there’s probably *** part of him that knows that having to answer questions like this time and time again when I mean. I was asked the same thing last training camp. I was asked the same thing after the season and ma it again and my stance hasn’t changed, but circumstances have, so I get that I have to answer those questions, but I think he knows it’s tough, um. Having the, you know, having to go through that. And and the losing on top of it, you know, so I think just the, I guess the unknown or the uncertainty combined with the losing, I think he probably feels for me *** little bit, but I’m not sitting here looking for anyone to feel sorry for me or, you know, that’s the circumstances and like I said, I’m I’m more than happy to address it, but I think that, you know, there’s *** ton of narratives out there that didn’t come from me, so it’s it’s kind of hard to keep, you know. Answering questions about all these hypothetical situations that didn’t necessarily come from me, so, um, you know, that’s, that’s the best way I can answer it. It means so much. I mean, I. I talk about the first day. You think about first impressions, and I didn’t know *** lot about Pittsburgh prior to being drafted and show up at the airport and can barely move the support that I felt from day one, the relationships that you know that I’ve formed here, the memories, the teammates. Uh, the fans, I mean, you go down the list. I mean, I, I, I’m so grateful and thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to play here as long as I have, and I think anyone who knows me knows how. You know, what the city means to me, how special it is, and, uh, you know, that I don’t, I don’t, uh, you know, I guess take those rumors or, or some of those things lightly. So, um, yeah, like I said, this is, this is where I want to be and. You know, I think uh it’s, you know, it’s *** special place and, and it’s something that, uh, you know, it’s it’s hard to put it all on *** sound bite, but it means *** lot.
Once playoff fixtures, Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a rebuild
Updated: 4:29 PM EDT Oct 1, 2025
Last season: 34-36-12, missed playoffs.COACH: Dan Muse (first-time NHL head coach), hired June 4.SEASON OPENER: Oct. 7 at the New York Rangers.DEPARTURES: Coach Mike Sullivan, G Alex Nedeljkovic.ADDITIONS: Muse, F Anthony Mantha, D Caleb Jones, G Arturs Silovs.GOALIES: Tristan Jarry (16-12-0-6, 3.12 GAA, 0.893) and Silovs (2-6-0-1, 3.13, 0.880).BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 300-1.What to expectThe Penguins, once playoff fixtures, are in the midst of a methodical overhaul that has no end in sight. While longtime captain Sidney Crosby remains a force entering his 21st season, every other part of the franchise seems to be in flux. Fenway Sports Group appears to be interested in dumping the club after purchasing it earlier this decade. Muse is well-respected across the league for his ability to connect with young players and has won during head coaching stints at the developmental level, but now finds himself overseeing a mixed roster. Evgeni Malkin is entering his 20th and likely final season in Pittsburgh, and there’s no guarantee defenseman Kris Letang and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are on the roster after the trade deadline. Would a terrible season leave Pittsburgh in the mix to draft Gavin McKenna?Strengths and weaknesses The good: Crosby enters his third decade as a pro still near the height of his considerable powers. He has averaged a point a game in each of his 20 seasons, even Wayne Gretzky never did that. His relentless effort every night has not changed. The team is going to lean heavily into nostalgia in what is almost certainly the last season the Big Three of Crosby, Malkin and Letang play together, hoping the memories of the good times will outweigh what is expected to be a bumpy year.The not-so-good: The blue line is a mess and the goalies behind them not much better. Only Chicago and San Jose allowed more goals than Pittsburgh last season. While Jarry should be commended for the way the two-time All-Star hung in there after being sent to the minors twice in 2024-25, the reality is it might be tough for him to return to form if the group in front of him doesn’t do a better job of making his job easier. A lineup that’s been overly reliant on Crosby’s line to score doesn’t look much better on paper following a quiet offseason. Players to watch Malkin has spent 19 years being Robin to Crosby’s Batman. His passionate play has made him a cult hero of sorts in Pittsburgh. Given Malkin’s age and decline (by his Hall of Fame standards), combined with GM Kyle Dubas’ very public quest to cultivate a young core around Crosby, this is almost certainly Malkin’s last ride.
Last season: 34-36-12, missed playoffs.
COACH: Dan Muse (first-time NHL head coach), hired June 4.
SEASON OPENER: Oct. 7 at the New York Rangers.
DEPARTURES: Coach Mike Sullivan, G Alex Nedeljkovic.
ADDITIONS: Muse, F Anthony Mantha, D Caleb Jones, G Arturs Silovs.
GOALIES: Tristan Jarry (16-12-0-6, 3.12 GAA, 0.893) and Silovs (2-6-0-1, 3.13, 0.880).
BETMGM STANLEY CUP ODDS: 300-1.
What to expect
The Penguins, once playoff fixtures, are in the midst of a methodical overhaul that has no end in sight. While longtime captain Sidney Crosby remains a force entering his 21st season, every other part of the franchise seems to be in flux. Fenway Sports Group appears to be interested in dumping the club after purchasing it earlier this decade. Muse is well-respected across the league for his ability to connect with young players and has won during head coaching stints at the developmental level, but now finds himself overseeing a mixed roster. Evgeni Malkin is entering his 20th and likely final season in Pittsburgh, and there’s no guarantee defenseman Kris Letang and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are on the roster after the trade deadline. Would a terrible season leave Pittsburgh in the mix to draft Gavin McKenna?
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Crosby enters his third decade as a pro still near the height of his considerable powers. He has averaged a point a game in each of his 20 seasons, even Wayne Gretzky never did that. His relentless effort every night has not changed. The team is going to lean heavily into nostalgia in what is almost certainly the last season the Big Three of Crosby, Malkin and Letang play together, hoping the memories of the good times will outweigh what is expected to be a bumpy year.
The not-so-good: The blue line is a mess and the goalies behind them not much better. Only Chicago and San Jose allowed more goals than Pittsburgh last season. While Jarry should be commended for the way the two-time All-Star hung in there after being sent to the minors twice in 2024-25, the reality is it might be tough for him to return to form if the group in front of him doesn’t do a better job of making his job easier. A lineup that’s been overly reliant on Crosby’s line to score doesn’t look much better on paper following a quiet offseason.
Players to watch
Malkin has spent 19 years being Robin to Crosby’s Batman. His passionate play has made him a cult hero of sorts in Pittsburgh. Given Malkin’s age and decline (by his Hall of Fame standards), combined with GM Kyle Dubas’ very public quest to cultivate a young core around Crosby, this is almost certainly Malkin’s last ride.