Penguins season preview: Crosby leads veteran core with hopes of playoff return

The 2024-25 NHL season starts Oct. 4. With training camps underway, NHL.com is taking a look at the three keys, inside scoop on roster questions, and projected lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Coach: Mike Sullivan (10th season)

Last season: 38-32-12; fifth in Metropolitan Division, did not qualify for Stanley Cup Playoffs

3 KEYS

1. Sid signed

There won't be any contract distractions for Sidney Crosby entering his 20th NHL season. The center could have become an unrestricted free agent after the season but signed a two-year contract Sept. 16. Crosby had 94 points (42 goals, 52 assists) in 82 games last season to lead the Penguins. He ranks 10th in NHL history with 1,596 points (592 goals, 1,004 assists) and has shown no signs of slowing down. Taking a team-friendly contract ($8.7 million average annual value) also gives the Penguins flexibility under the NHL salary cap for when needed to add to the roster. "I think winning is the most important thing to me, and I think [taking a discount is] understanding the dynamic and how it works and trying to give the team the best possible chance to be successful," Crosby said after signing. "Ultimately, you've got to go out there and do your best and do your job. I think I'm more focused on that than the number, I guess."

2. Goalie workload

Tristan Jarry has started at least 47 games each of the past three seasons as the Penguins' No. 1 goalie. However, his workload took a hit toward the end of last season when he struggled upon returning from injury and backup Alex Nedeljkovic started the final 13 games. Jarry, who signed a five-year contract July 1, 2023, was 19-25-5 with a 2.91 goals-against average and .903 save percentage in 51 games (48 starts). Nedeljkovic, who signed a two-year contract June 20, was 18-7-7 with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage in 38 games (33 starts). "I think I can be better," Jarry said during training camp. "I think even last year, I had some stretches where I was good and I had some stretches where I could've improved. I think just being more consistent, I think, will help the team and will help us generate more wins."

3. Powering up the power play

A team with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang finishing 30th in the NHL on the power play (15.3 percent) was far from expected and was one of the reasons the Penguins didn't make the playoffs. Crosby led them with 10 power-play goals and Malkin had six, but no one else had more than five. Pittsburgh likely will tinker with its top two units to find something that works, which could include Michael Bunting (21 power-play points in 81 games with the Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes last season) and/or Bryan Rust (30 career power-play goals) playing on the top unit. David Quinn, who coached the San Jose Sharks the past two seasons, was hired as an assistant tasked with overseeing the power play; the Sharks were tied for 20th on the man-advantage last season (20.2 percent).

ROSTER RUNDOWN

Making the cut

Pittsburgh lost forwards Reilly Smith (traded to New York Rangers) and Jeff Carter (retired), but acquired Kevin Hayes and Rutger McGroarty, and signed Blake Lizotte and Anthony Beauvillier during the offseason. Hayes, Lizotte and Beauvillier each played at least 60 NHL games last season, and McGroarty is a highly regarded prospect. Add Valtteri Puustinen, who played 52 games with Pittsburgh last season, and there will be competition for the final forward spots. On defense, Owen Pickering could challenge for a spot out of camp. The 20-year-old had 46 points (seven goals, 39 assists) in 59 games with Swift Current of the Western Hockey League last season.

Most intriguing addition

Hayes was acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues on June 29, and the 32-year-old forward is looking to bounce back after he had an NHL career-low 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 79 games last season. The Penguins lacked depth scoring last season and are hoping Hayes can put up numbers closer to his 2022-23 totals with the Philadelphia Flyers when he had 54 points (18 goals, 36 assists) in 81 games. He also could be utilized on the man-advantage.

Biggest potential surprise

Matt Grzelcyk could be just what the Penguins need to stabilize a defense that was 14th in shots allowed per game (30.8) and tied for 18th in goals allowed per game (3.02) last season. Signed as a free agent July 1, the defenseman spent the past eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, who have been one of the best defensive teams in the NHL the past handful of seasons. Grzelcyk had 11 points last season (two goals, nine assists) in 63 games last season but had more than 20 points in each of the four prior seasons, and has had at least 75 blocked shots each of the past three seasons. He can play on any defense pair.

Ready to contribute

McGroarty, who was acquired in a trade with the Winnipeg Jets on Aug. 22 for forward Brayden Yager, finished second in scoring at the University of Michigan last season with 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 36 games, and had nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games as captain for the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship to help them win the gold medal. The 20-year-old is almost a lock to make the opening night roster; where he starts in the lineup is another question.

Fantasy sleeper

McGroarty, F (undrafted on average in fantasy) -- McGroarty looks to make his NHL debut with the Penguins following a productive season at Michigan and at the World Junior Championship. He could begin on the second line with exposure to Malkin, which could make him an intriguing fantasy option. -- Anna Dua

PROJECTED LINEUP

Michael Bunting -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust

Rutger McGroarty -- Evgeni Malkin -- Rickard Rakell

Drew O'Connor -- Kevin Hayes -- Cody Glass

Blake Lizotte -- Lars Eller -- Noel Acciari

Ryan Graves -- Kris Letang

Marcus Pettersson -- Erik Karlsson

Matt Grzelcyk -- Sebastian Aho

Tristan Jarry

Alex Nedeljkovic

NHL.com independent correspondent Wes Crosby contributed to this report