Prior to the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a difficult season, but they were able to push for a postseason berth. But in the end, the numbers game—which resulted from the points outlook—caused the team to lose.

Overall, though, the team is more prepared to push itself more the following season, which will test the mettle of players like Kris Letang, Evangi Malkin, and Sidney Crosby. More specifically, this is the year that the team will see major improvements.

It might have given general manager Kyle Dubas and company a new perspective on where the team needs to improve and helped foster a sense of need within the team. Sometimes a team’s flaws have to be exposed and seen in order for them to get better.

I think Kyle Dubas will strengthen the defense, which is where the issue originated, this coming season. Above all, this would help mold a team’s fundamental desire to win games and improve their defense.

This team’s weakness was its defense, so the fact that it turned things around when management added forwards during the trade deadline indicates that the Penguins will be prepared to fight even harder and with greater tenacity than they did in the past.

Where the management of the Pittsburgh Penguins will be employed during the offseason

The Penguins’ defense was, as I indicated, their weak point; this may indicate that more defensemen should be selected in the 2024 NHL Draft in addition to trying to assemble a stable group of players with defensive mentalities during the offseason.

Depending on the amount of cap space the team has available during the offseason and the players they want to sign, adding more scoring depth will be another important factor. The Pittsburgh Penguins must make specific trades and have a shopping list of players to add and cut in order to improve.

As a supporter, my goal is to see more young players join the team who can have a significant impact on the group and gain more momentum as a result. It will aid in determining the course of events and offer solace to the advanced age of the Core Four players.

More specifically, the direction of the team could be decided if Penguins management can pull off a big trade this offseason to bring in more youth and youthful depth. This is the moment, my yinzers, to be enthusiastic about the future rather than fretting.