PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – How often have you heard the definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Some will say that is what the Penguins did in bringing back Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to join Sidney Crosby for a 17th season together.
It's been four straight seasons with a first-round playoff exit. Since April 29, 2018-the Pens are 7-19 in the playoffs including losing seven games in a row. Over that span Malkin has six postseason goals, Crosby has seven and Letang as four.
The combined age of those three could rival the combined age of some teams' starting lineups. However, Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan explains why he thinks this group has another run in them.
"I know our team is a little bit older, but we are not old," Sullivan said on the Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan.
"Our guys have shown consistently that they can continue to play at an elite level. You can look at this past season for the latest evidence of that. We believe these guys are still competitive and have the opportunity to try to contend."
The Pens finished with 103 points last year and probably came within a healthy NHL goalie of at least advancing to the second round. The big three's 2021-22 regular-season stats:
· Crosby 69 games 31 goals 53 assists +19
· Malkin 41 games 20 goals 22 assists -10
· Letang 78 games 10 goals 58 assists +20
"Our core group of players here that have been so accomplished to this point and built such an impressive legacy already, they are hungry for more," Sullivan told 93.7 The Fan. "These guys are capable of doing great things."
To that point, Sullivan said that veteran core came ready to lead not just with their experience. They led by the preparation they did before training camp began a few weeks ago.
"Our top players are leading the charge from a fitness standpoint," Sullivan said with Cook and Joe. "I think that speaks volumes for their commitment to excellence and their work habits off the ice. How hard they train in the off-season. These guys are so driven and they show it every year."
"After going through a fairly rigorous training camp with these guys and watching their fitness level in respect to all of the other guys in the camp, the younger guys included. Some of our most fit guys are the guys we are talking about-Crosby, Malkin and Letang."
It's also not exactly the same team they had for much of last year. They've added veteran defensemen Jeff Petry and Jan Rutta to improve their D in front of the net, among other attributes. Re-signed forward Rickard Rakell, who was injured early in the Rangers series after playing on 19 games with the Pens. Jason Zucker is healthy, Bryan Rust got a long contract, the enigma that is Kasperi Kapanen returns as does gritty penalty killer and former Penguin Josh Archibald. And just in case they lose both goalies like last postseason, they signed 76-game NHL veteran Dustin Tokarski.
"We all recognize how difficult it is to win, it's arguably the toughest trophy in sports to win," Sullivan told 93.7 The Fan. "We recognize that there are a lot of good teams out there. But I believe the group has what it takes."
"I just believe in them."
That belief is big especially with Malkin.
It's his eighth year with the Pens and Sullivan said he's never seen the now 36-year-old Malkin in better shape. He says that will translate this season.
"He's a guy that continues that have the ability to be a game-breaker," Malkin told the Cook and Joe Show. "You look at his numbers last year after coming off a difficult knee surgery, he scores 20 goals in 41 games. He's a point-a-game guy. I don't care how old you are, that's not easy to do."
"I think we have the ability this year to surround him with a little bit more from a supporting cast standpoint that will give him an opportunity five-on-five to be at his very best."
"I'm looking forward to watching Geno this year. He got a certain look in his eye that he wants to prove people wrong."
NHL.com polled 15 staff writers on their predictions this year, not one had the Pens winning the Stanley Cup. Not one had the Pens even winning the Eastern Division.
Malkin isn't the only one looking to prove people wrong.
