{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/xmQ7ISb1.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Which Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is in danger of a surprise demotion entering training camp?", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/xmQ7ISb1-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/xmQ7ISb1.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/xmQ7ISb1.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 353806, "filesize": 3184262, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 484310, "filesize": 4358790, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1450292, "filesize": 13052635, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 114904, "filesize": 1034138 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 485010, "filesize": 4365091, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/xmQ7ISb1-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 838500, "filesize": 7546508, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Since the 2005-06 season, only two players have led the Pittsburgh Penguins in points in a single season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins have always been led in scoring by either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin since they broke into the NHL in the mid to late 2000s." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Jake Guentzel snuck in and tied Crosby with 84 points in 2021-22, but that is the only exception to this trend since the NHL lockout." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "After an offseason full of change and turnover in Pittsburgh, could there be a new name to add to a very short list?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "According to ESPN, they project new defenseman Erik Karlsson to lead the Penguins in points with 97 (23G-74A) in 81 games played." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Judging by the rest of ESPN’s projections, they based a lot of their numbers off of how last season went for many of the NHL’s top players." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Karlsson recorded 101 points between 25 goals and 76 assists in a full 82 games in 2022-23 to capture his third Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "While thinking Karlsson will only play one fewer games, ESPN just knocked off a couple of goals and assists and came to their conclusion." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "For comparison, Connor McDavid is coming off of a monster season that saw him post 64 goals and 89 assists for 153 points." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "ESPN plots McDavid to basically repeat that astronomical pace with 61 goals and 87 assists for 148 total points." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins have long been led by Crosby or Malkin, and even with Karlsson added to the lineup, that trend likely won’t be broken." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Only five defensemen have ever reached 100 points in a single season and only one more has touched 97 (Phil Housley in 1992-93)." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "ESPN seems to think that Karlsson is set to have yet another historic season; that would be top notch and a huge boost for the Penguins, but highly unlikely." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "For those curious, ESPN predicts Crosby to record 32 goals and 57 assists for 89 points and Malkin to hit 24 goals and 44 assists for 68 points." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Guentzel is also noted as the goals leader for the Penguins with 34, two fewer than last season." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Top Prospect Says Debut Against Penguins Would Be 'Special'" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Open Informal Skates Ahead of Camp" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins' Rickard Rakell Will Likely Regress in 2023-24" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sidney Crosby Hangs with Connor Bedard at NHL Media Tour" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "No One Is Lock To Make Penguins Bottom Six" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } }, { "type": "image", "data": { "file": { "url": "https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTkwMDEyNjI0OTM4MzYw/img_6014.jpg" }, "caption": "" } } ] }

ESPN Projects New Points Leader for Penguins