Old North Banter
Fansided

Predicting the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Standings

By Ryan Henkel

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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5. Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Garrett Wilson #10 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Islanders during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 14: Garrett Wilson #10 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the first period in Game Three of the Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Islanders during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 14, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Never bet against a team that’s consistently been there, but looking at Pittsburgh’s roster, what made it exceptional is quite lacking. Of course, there are the superstars of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang present but what else is there?

An apparent lack of depth on top of a nearly depleted prospect pool makes the Penguins one injury away from collapse at all times. Coupled with a poor and aged defensive core, that they themselves traded for last season, and unreliable goaltending, the Penguins seem like they may finally fall from their consistent contender status.

While one can not count against the combined dominance that Crosby and Malkin have exhibited in their time in the NHL, especially with Malkin due and motivated for a bounce-back year, I just can’t see them edging out the competition this year.

Notable Additions: Alex Galchenyuk, Dominik Kahun

Notable Losses: Phil Kessel, Olli Maata

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