Pittsburgh Penguins fantasy projections for 2022-23

As part of NHL.com's 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff identifies relevant players from the Pittsburgh Penguins. For more coverage, visit NHL.com/Fantasy and subscribe for free to the "NHL Fantasy on Ice" podcast.

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Top 250 rankings
NOTES: These fantasy projections (for 82-game season), a collaborative effort by Pete Jensen and Anna Dua, have been quantified based on factors including but not limited to past performance in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs, projected line combinations, power-play usage, team goalie situations, injury history or concern, sleeper upside, anticipated regression or bounce-back candidacy, age, contract status and overall upside for this season. The below totals are safe estimates and do not necessarily indicate each player's ceiling or floor and should be used as a basis for decision-making in all fantasy leagues. Players are listed below in order of NHL.com top 250 rank.
Penguins 32 in 32: [Season preview | 3 Questions | Top prospects]
Sidney Crosby, C -- He is second among active NHL players in career points per game (1.27) behind Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (1.43) and returns each of his frequent linemates in Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust (signed six-year contract). Crosby, who has six seasons of at least 100 points, was on an 82-game pace for nearly 100 last season (84 points in 69 games) and, even at 35 years old, should be considered a top 15 overall fantasy player and top five center-only option.
NHL.com point projection for Crosby: 96

Jake Guentzel, LW -- He led the Penguins in goals (tied NHL career high with 40) and shots on goal (264) last season and was tied with his frequent linemate Crosby for their points lead (career-best 84 in 76 games). Guentzel should be considered a top 40 overall fantasy player and among the top 15 left wing options, especially because of his strong hits coverage (1.3 per game in NHL career).
NHL.com point projection for Guentzel: 86
Kris Letang, D -- He was tied for sixth among NHL defensemen in points (career-high 68 in 78 games) last season and among the leaders at the position in shots on goal (214; seventh) and power-play points (22; tied for eighth). Letang should be considered a fringe top 50 overall fantasy player and top 10 defenseman option after re-signing with the Penguins and could benefit from having more support behind him in the lineup after they acquired Jeff Petry from the Montreal Canadiens.
NHL.com point projection for Letang: 69
Evgeni Malkin, C -- He was limited to 41 games last season after recovering from knee surgery but had more than a point per game (42); Malkin's career points-per-game average (1.17) is tied for third among active NHL players. Malkin was also tied with Rust for Pittsburgh's lead in power-play goals (nine) last season and should be considered a fringe top 50 overall player and top 20 center option after re-signing with the Penguins on a four-year contract.
NHL.com point projection for Malkin: 74
Tristan Jarry, G -- The starting goalie was limited to one game in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs because of a foot injury but had NHL career highs in wins (34; eighth) and shutouts (four; tied for sixth) last season. Jarry, who also ranked sixth in save percentage (.919; minimum 50 games), should be considered a fringe top 10 fantasy goalie and is worth reaching for around the top 75 overall from one of the safest fantasy teams in the NHL.
NHL.com win projection for Jarry: 30
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Other PIT players to consider in fantasy: Bryan Rust, RW; Jeff Petry, D; Rickard Rakell, LW/RW; Jeff Carter, C
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