These will be the biggest areas for the Pittsburgh Penguins to focus on this offseason.

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins are entering another long offseason after a disappointing 2023-24 that ended without a berth in the playoffs. Finishing with a 38-32-12 record with 88 points, the Penguins finished fifth in the Metropolitan Division, three points out of a playoff spot.

Despite two straight years without the playoffs, the Penguins have no plans to begin a rebuild; they want to retool as much as possible while keeping the core intact. After a season at the helm, Kyle Dubas has a clearer understanding of what it may take to win in Pittsburgh.

Heading into this offseason, Dubas will once again have his hands full. Plenty of change is likely, but what are the Penguins biggest needs in preparation for the 2024-25 season?

New Third Line Center

This is not to say that Lars Eller had a bad season in his first year with the Penguins, but moving forward, his talents may be best served as a fourth-liner. This also isn’t speaking ill of Noel Acciari, but he could fill out the lineup much better as a winger rather than a center.

Finding a new third-line center will be crucial to the Penguins success moving forward. Whether it be an in-house promotion, a trade, or a signing through free agency, the bottom six could get a huge boost from a center that helps with youth and a complete 200-foot game.

Keep an eye out for a guy like Sam Poulin, who Dubas expects will be a full-time NHL player starting next season.

Adjust Left Side Defense

Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Jack St. Ivany are sure to be the obvious choices on the right side, but the left side of the Penguins’ blue line is a bit foggy. Marcus Pettersson is arguably the best defensive defenseman on the team, but beyond him, guys need to solidify their roles.

P.O. Joseph played a fair bit of the year on the top line, but is that his spot going forward? Do the Penguins still view him as a useful piece, or could he still be on the trading block?

Ryan Graves was a disaster from beginning to end, but Dubas feels confident there will be a resurgence in 2024-25.

Then there’s a smattering of youngsters who may be able to take the everyday role, but it’s still questionable. Ryan Shea and John Ludvig will likely enter training camp jockeying for position, but that’s still a weak side of the ice.

Figure Out Goalie Situation

For yet another summer, the Penguins will have big decisions to make between the pipes. Tristan Jarry struggled down the stretch, but like Graves, Dubas expects a bounce back.

Alex Nedeljkovic played the final year of his contract and is likely looking for a well-deserved starting role.

Dubas noted that prospect netminder Joel Blomqvist has a real chance to fight for an NHL role. At the moment, it looks like the Penguins goalie duo heading into 2024-25 will be Jarry and Blomqvist.

A struggling starter and a rookie with only one year in North American hockey experience. Is that the battery the Penguins really want to enter a season with?

There are far more areas that need improvement across the Penguins' lineup, but these are the most glaring in the early stages of the offseason. When free agency opens up, and as the summer rolls along, it’ll be fascinating to see how Dubas continues building the team in his image.

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