A new season is here and the Pittsburgh Penguins still have some questions that will need to be answered.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the most entertaining and active teams over the offseason as new face of the front office Kyle Dubas began to build the team in his image.

Adding Erik Karlsson will do wonders for scoring and a bolstered bottom six forward group should push the Penguins in the right direction, but some burning questions still linger.

The Inside the Penguins crew joined forces to come up with some of the main questions that still surround the team heading into the 2023-24 season.

Nick Horwat: Can the Core Stay Healthy?

When guys like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are healthy, the Penguins are usually one of the most lethal teams in the NHL. All three over the years, however, have been prone to their own lengthy injuries.

Crosby and Malkin played in all 82 games during the 2022-23 season, and that was huge for the team. But, if one or both of them are forced to miss time, who do the Penguins have that can step up to fill those roles?

Jake Guentzel can bang in some goals, that’s for sure, but is that enough to carry the team? Bryan Rust is in need of a rebound season and it’s not a guarantee he gets it. There is a ton of added depth, but they’re not a group can perform in higher roles.

The Penguins will go as far as the core can take them, and as long as those three can stay relatively healthy, there should be no issues.

Nick Brlasnky: Who Will Lead Bottom-Six in Scoring?

Kyle Dubas targeted defensively responsible players when rebuilding the Penguins' bottom six. Because of that, there's not a lot of firepower in the bottom of the Penguins forward lineup. Jeff Carter led the bottom six last season with 29 points (13G-16A).

New faces like Matt Nieto and Noel Acciari are keys to the bottom six, but don’t necessarily strike fear as offensive threats.

The emergence of Drew O'Connor and newcomer Lars Eller are top candidates to lead the pack this season.

Jacob Punturi: Will Jake Guentzel Get Extented?

Jake Guentzel is in the final season of his contract that earns him $6 million against the salary cap. He's been one of the Penguins’ most consistent point producers and goal scorers over the past five seasons and arguably the most talented winger to ever play with Sidney Crosby.

At the age of 29, Guentzel will still produce at this level for the foreseeable future, but what will it cost the Penguins to keep him?

It still looks likely that Guentzel will miss the start of the season, and it’s not a guarantee that he will be up to speed right away. Does that kind of absence slow down his production and play a role in negotiations?

Dubas stated that the main focus right now is for Guentzel to return to health and contract talks are on the back burner for the moment. Dubas, however, is open to having a discussion at any point.

Reece Comfort: Can this revamped roster make a playoff run?

The expectations are high for the Penguins heading into the 2023-24 season, but the real impression will be made come April and possibly into May or June. Can this Penguins re-worked roster go on that one last run that everyone is hoping for?

There is no doubt the kind of impact Erik Karlsson should have on the team, but can the other additions be just as impactful? The bottom six forward group is better, but not so much in terms of offense.

Another aspect to making a deep playoff push also lies in a familiar face between the pipes; if Tristan Jarry can remain healthy, his skill should shine through more than ever.

The Penguins are a team full of questions heading into the 2023-24 season, but the collective hunger from the room should bring quite a few answers. The ultimate goal is a Stanley Cup, and they believe they have the pieces to get it done.

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

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