It won't be easy for the Pittsburgh Penguins to reach the playoffs, and insiders don't see them as a threat.

PITTSBURGH – The All-Star break is right around the corner and the Pittsburgh Penguins are still fighting their way into the playoff picture. Currently sitting multiple games out of contention, there is a real possibility that the Penguins miss the postseason for the second consecutive season.

If they do find a way in, however, it’ll likely be on the backs of key faces like Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel and their goaltending. Beyond reaching the postseason, are the Penguins a threat to make any noise in spring?

According to NHL insider Craig Button, even if the Penguins add at the trade deadline, they aren’t going to put up much of a fight. President and general manager Kyle Dubas has his core group of veterans that want to win, but even adding around them might not be enough.

“The goal here is to give them a chance to win,” Button said. “I don’t think there’s enough there that he can do to give them a chance to win. Maybe they find their way into the playoffs, but I don’t see them being a threat to come out of the East.”

Entering the 2023-24 season, the players and new formed front office believed the Penguins could very well be Stanley Cup contenders, and with guys like Crosby on the roster, those ambitions were valid. Crosby putting together an MVP caliber season only added to those hopes, but the rest of the team around him has lagged behind.

“I don’t see them as a threat to win a playoff round,” Button added. “They haven’t won a playoff round since 2018.”

The Penguins have had their struggles in recent years in finding postseason success, on a few occasions losing to lesser opponents. This time around might be no different. It’s an uphill climb and even if they do reach the playoffs, it might only be as a wild card team.

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