{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Llay9ogz.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "What was the best moment of the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins season?", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/Llay9ogz-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Llay9ogz.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/Llay9ogz.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 270168, "filesize": 8679162, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 270, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 353505, "filesize": 11356361, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 720, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1082780, "filesize": 34784330, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113799, "filesize": 3655801 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 360, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 366280, "filesize": 11766761, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/Llay9ogz-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 540, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 620569, "filesize": 19935781, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Stop me if you’ve heard this one before; for the first time since 2006, the Pittsburgh Penguins missed out on the NHL Playoffs." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins didn’t put up a good season; a 40-31-11 record is far from anyone’s expectations of the team and missing the postseason was a conclusion many were jumping to well before the All-Star break." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Before the season was even a month old, fans were down on their team; the longest losing streak since Sidney Crosby’s rookie season will bring that kind of negativity." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Matters weren’t helped when the Penguins would go on three more losing streaks that hit or went beyond four games." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": " Everyone knows the issues that plagued the Penguins this year; the bottom-six disappeared after the first five games, the goaltending was never reliable, the defense needed work, the power play wasn’t good enough, the list goes on." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Despite all of the pitfalls faced by the Penguins, there are still reasons to be optimistic heading into a new season." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "New General Manager", "level": 3 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Fenway Sports Group heard the pleas from fans and fired Ron Hextall and Brian Burke and general manager and president of hockey operations." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins are on the hunt for a new front office staff and new faces in charge should be able to have positive change on the organization." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The timing of the Toronto Maple Leafs departure from the postseason may have also given the Penguins a wide open door to snag someone who would appear at the top of any NHL team’s list for GM in Kyle Dubas." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "The First Round Pick", "level": 3 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Hextall had his setbacks, but there is turning out to be a silver lining in his patience; the Penguins still hold their first round pick, and the options are wide open in it’s utilization." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If the Penguins keep it and take a prospect, good, it’s a deep draft and they should snatch a solid piece for the future." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If it’s dealt for a roster player, good, a new addition to the lineup that should give a solid boost." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "If it’s strapped to a bad contract to deal in a trade, good, that would likely give the Penguins some extra cap space to work with in free agency." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "The Core Can Still Play", "level": 3 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins did not have a great season, yet they missed the playoffs by a single point; that’s thanks in large part to the core of Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang still being able to perform at the top of their game." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Despite their ages, those three did everything they could to keep the Penguins competitive." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Crosby and Malkin played all 82 games together for the first time ever and Letang is likely going to win the Masterton Trophy." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "They will be around next year and a decline in play might be around the corner, but it should show it’s face during 2023-24." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "New Look Lineup", "level": 3 } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "A new general manager should bring along some big adjustments to the lineup; from a possible goaltending change to edits to the bottom six, the new face should build the team in their vision." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That might include making tough moves or letting fan favorites walk, but it will be better for the Penguins in the short, and possibly long term." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The Penguins can still be a good team; they were held back in 2022-23 by a frightened GM and a few pieces not performing to expectations." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Hire the right person to make the proper moves, let head coach Mike Sullivan find himself again, and the Penguins will be right back in the playoff conversation." } }, { "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": "Penguins' Nick Bonino Scores Twice in Team USA Victory" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Must Inquire About Connor Hellebuyck" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Nick Bonino is Aging, but Can Fill Certain Role for Penguins" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's Time for Penguins To Go All in on Kyle Dubas" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins' Casey DeSmith, Drew O'Connor Lead the Way in Team USA Win" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Fans Have Reasons To Be Optimistic About the Penguins