Are the Pittsburgh Penguins even a playoff team this year?
The 2022-23 season has been unusual for the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the top-six of a Stanley Cup Contender and a bottom-six of a lottery contender, the Penguins have many question marks as the trade deadline gets closer.
As currently constructed, this Penguins team still has the talent to get them into the playoffs for the 17th consecutive season. Sidney Crosby is still performing at an all-pro level, leading the team in goals (25), assists (42), points (67), and even penalty minutes (46).
Evgeni Malkin continues to prove his offseason doubters wrong, scoring 56 points in 55 games this season and eclipsing the 20-goal mark for the 14th time in his career.
While the top-end talent of this team can push them into another playoff berth, it doesn't have the depth or defense to win once they get there. The Penguins are staring down a fifth straight first-round exit, but that doesn't mean they can't raise the ceiling before that time.
The first step is getting Tristan Jarry back from injury. Jarry's status has been uncertain since his shocking absence at a Penguins home game against the Florida Panthers on January 24th. When healthy, Jarry has performed well, collecting 15 wins and saving 92.1% of the shots he has faced.
The only other way to lift the Penguins ceiling before the end of the season will be for general manager Ron Hextall to make a trade, preferably more than one. Hextall has remained patient with this team, but time is running out. He has 11 days to improve this roster before the NHL Trade Deadline.
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