The Pittsburgh Penguins almost made the playoffs in 2023-24. What if these three players had better campaigns? Would the results have been different?
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for just the second time in the past 18 seasons. Although the campaign wasn't a complete write-off, with several players reaching personal milestones, some players still underperformed.
Today, we want to discuss a handful of those skaters, the areas of their game that stuck out, and what they need to do to improve in the 2024-25 season.
Erik Karlsson
In 2022-23, Erik Karlsson became only the sixth defenseman in NHL history to register a 100-point season, achieving the feat on a bottom-ranked San Jose Sharks team. He won the Norris Trophy for his efforts despite finishing minus-26, which ranked as the 27th-worst total in the league.
He cleaned up that statistic, finishing plus-4 with Pittsburgh in his first season, but also had a 45-point dip in production. As mentioned, he was an assist machine (76) in San Jose and only reached 45 with the Penguins.
Considering the talent level around him in 2023-24 compared to the previous season, everyone expected more from him, and he has yet to live up to his hefty contract figures.
Besides using the "first year with a new team excuse," this upcoming season will be a make-it-or-break-it for Karlsson's reputation in Pittsburgh.
Michael Bunting
Michael Bunting makes the list because he finished the 2023-24 season with a minus-19 rating. Outside of the 21 games (minus-1) he played with the Arizona Coyotes in 2020-21, he's never been a minus player.
However, despite being minus-4, he finished with a .90 points-per-game after the Penguins acquired him in the Jake Guentzel trade on March 7, thanks to 19 points in 21 games.
So, Bunting's offensive production will not be a concern in 2024-25, but if he improves his defensive game, there's a chance he can help the team improve upon its overall plus-4 rating from last season.
Tristan Jarry
Tristan Jarry has been with the Penguins for eight years now, and outside of two campaigns where he appeared in one or two games, he's yet to have a losing season until 2023-24.
Now, Jarry shares the crease with Alex Nedeljkovic, who proved he can play top minutes himself, having played in 11 of the team's final 12 games, leaving Jarry on the bench.
As the highest-paid netminder on the roster, his 2024-25 season performance will be vital for his future with the club.
If he doesn't regain his status as the number one and doesn't help the Penguins maintain a playoff position, the rumors of his availability will only continue to grow.