These 10 questions must be answered by the Pittsburgh Penguins at some point this season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are a completely different team heading into the 2023-24 season. Despite the massive overhaul, the team has a flurry of questions surrounding them. Here are 10 burning questions as the 2023-24 season approaches.

1. Will the Penguins return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs?

The Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and they are desperate to return to the postseason in the spring of 2024. With a new general manager, a pair of fresh defensemen, and a slew of depth forwards, the Penguins are hoping they have an improved enough roster to return to Stanley Cup contention. 

2. Can the core of veterans play 65+ games again? 

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Erik Karlsson all played the full 82-game slate in 2022-23 .Kris Letang laced up for 64 despite numerous obstacles.

The Pens will need their core of veteran superstars to play in at least 65 games this season. The health of their stars could make or break their season, and it will be something to keep an eye on from the first puck drop. 

3. Will Tristan Jarry live up to his new contract?

Tristan Jarry signed a new contract with the Penguins this summer, as Pittsburgh looks to him to patrol their crease for the next five seasons. Despite all-star appearances, consistency and health have derailed a stellar start to his still young career. This season, Jarry needs to turn the page and move back into the all-star form needed to bring the team to the postseason.

4. What will the Penguins do with Jake Guentzel?

The Penguins have an incredibly important and difficult decision to make this season. Elite scorer Jake Guentzel enters the final season of his contract, and is due a raise next summer. Will the Pens pay up or move on from one of the best American players in the league?

Don't forget that Guentzel won't be in the lineup to start the season as he recovers from ankle surgery.

5. Can Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson coexist and produce? 

There was much chatter surrounding the on-ice relationship Karlsson and Brent Burns had in San Jose. Two all-star, offensively gifted defenders seemed to struggle to share the load during their lone season together, resulting in Burns being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. 

Now, the Penguins are hopeful their pair of outstanding defenders can avoid that same fate this season.

6. Will Reilly Smith replace Jason Zucker's 25+ goals? 

Jason Zucker scored 27 goals during the 2022-23 season for the Penguins, leaving a hole on the second line. Reilly Smith aims to fill that gap, but can he find the same output and chemistry that Zucker had with Malkin? 

7. Can Bryan Rust bounce back? 

After signing a six year extension, Bryan Rust had his worst offensive season in a few seasons. The Pens need Rust to be better this year, and re-find his 25-30 goal form.

8. Will Jeff Carter earn a spot in the lineup? 

The former general manager's darling had a frustrating second half of the 2022-23 season, far outweighing the 13 goals he collected. His age seemed to have caught up to him last year, and the Pens looked much worse with him on the ice. Can he earn a spot in training camp and erase the poor showing he had last season?

9. Who will the third line center end up being?

Kyle Dubas brought in veteran Cup winner Lars Eller to be the third line pivot this season. At age 34, can Eller be that for a playoff team again? His all-around game and veteran experience are huge additions to the Penguins lineup, but it's unclear if he can be the answer for the third line.

10. Is this the final year of excellence from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin? 

The window has been "closing" for years, but Crosby and Malkin keep producing. The team around them is vastly improved, so will this finally be the year the two-headed monster drops off or will they continue to defy time and the odds?

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.

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