The Pittsburgh Penguins up and down 2023-24 season
PITTSBURGH (Jan. 28, 2024)—After 16 straight seasons the Pittsburgh Penguins were unable to qualify for the 2022-23 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The longest streak of post-season play from a professional American sports top-five league team came to an abrupt conclusion.
It was a feat that may never be touched again. The illustrious run included three Stanley Cups and three players who stuck around for the ride in its entirety.
Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang became the longest-tenured trio to play together in the top-five professional sports leagues in America. For the three of them, 2022-23 was proclaimed as the potential last dance due to the increasing age of the three.
This proved to be incorrect as all three returned to continue their pursuit of a fourth Stanley Cup.
Big changes would follow as many within the organization figured a final push with these three was imminent.
General Manager Ron Hextall would shortly be fired after just two seasons with the club.
Following the departure of Hextall, plenty of other firings and hirings were made up and down the organization, but none more important than the hiring of Kyle Dubas.
Dubas came in as the President of Hockey Operations but would soon be named as the new General Manager for the 2023-24 season. This gave Penguins fans far and wide something to be excited about.
Dubas was known for his flashy dealings with his formerly managed Toronto Maple Leafs. The summer of 2023 would prove no different as Dubas completely retooled the Penguins roster.
Dubas gave the Penguins a much more refined and youthful group to play around the big three.
Along with that, Dubas went on to sign the biggest fish in the pond as reigning Norris Trophy defenseman Erik Karlsson was set to join the Penguins after a monster trade.
Fast forward to the present, the 2024 all-star break. The Penguins currently sit five points outside a playoff spot with 35 games remaining in the season.
Plenty of drama and tension have been brewing within the media as it appears Dubas may be set for yet another blockbuster move prior to the trade deadline in March.
Forward Jake Guentzel has been having yet another monster season for the club sitting second on the team in points with 49. However, the rumor mill suggests he may be on the move.
With the halfway mark of the season past, the Penguins look for answers as the playoff push is more intense than ever.
Roster questions will be answered, players will battle, and the identity of the 2023-24 Pittsburgh Penguins will shine bright all-in due time.
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