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The Pittsburgh Penguins returned to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the 2025-26 NHL season, but bigger questions now surround their future.
After ending a three-year playoff drought, Pittsburgh lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. The result renewed debate about balancing a rebuild with an aging core led by ‘living legend’ Sidney Crosby.
That discussion gained fresh attention after The Athletic’s Josh Yohe outlined the franchise’s difficult position in a recent mailbag.
“I appreciate the bluntness,” Yohe wrote while answering a question about the Penguins’ plan. “The Penguins would tell you that the plan is to get younger and become a championship contender as urgently as possible.”
MORE: Canadiens could get another shot at Kirill Marchenko, says NHL analyst
Yohe acknowledged Kyle Dubas has added promising young talent. He pointed to Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Söderblom, Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff, Harrison Brunicke, Liam Ruck, and Markus Ruck.
Still, Yohe questioned whether Pittsburgh is moving quickly enough.
“Of course, Evgeni Malkin turns 40 this summer. Sidney Crosby turns 39 this summer,” he wrote. He also listed Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Tommy Novak among older regulars.
According to Yohe, those veterans represent half of Pittsburgh’s projected opening-night skaters.
Meanwhile, last season Crosby remained productive despite missing time due to injury. He recorded 74 points in 68 regular-season games and added five playoff points. He also became Pittsburgh’s all-time points leader with his 1,724th career point, passing Mario Lemieux, and now has 1761 points.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) and center Sidney Crosby (87) talk on the ice at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Yohe believes difficult roster decisions cannot wait much longer, because, “Bringing back Malkin is nice for nostalgia, but how does it help build a team for the future?” He raised similar questions about Letang, Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell, suggesting veteran trades could accelerate the rebuild.
“I respect all of these players, but at some point, if they stay too long, they’re going to slow down the rebuild,” Yohe wrote.
Yohe made one clear exception. He said, “Crosby is different. He wants to play a few more years, and he’s a living legend.”
But he added, “You can’t rebuild around him. I’m not sure you can reasonably build something with a group of players this age.”
MORE: Paul Bissonnette stunned by Daniel Alfredsson’s move to ‘arch-nemesis’ Maple Leafs
Dubas has rejected a full teardown, instead pursuing a “semi-pivot” centered on younger NHL-ready talent. That approach keeps Pittsburgh competitive while preparing for the future.
The challenge now is deciding how long sentiment can outweigh roster evolution. Crosby remains elite, but the franchise’s next chapter depends on difficult decisions around everyone else.
Continue reading...
After ending a three-year playoff drought, Pittsburgh lost to the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. The result renewed debate about balancing a rebuild with an aging core led by ‘living legend’ Sidney Crosby.
That discussion gained fresh attention after The Athletic’s Josh Yohe outlined the franchise’s difficult position in a recent mailbag.
“I appreciate the bluntness,” Yohe wrote while answering a question about the Penguins’ plan. “The Penguins would tell you that the plan is to get younger and become a championship contender as urgently as possible.”
MORE: Canadiens could get another shot at Kirill Marchenko, says NHL analyst
Yohe acknowledged Kyle Dubas has added promising young talent. He pointed to Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Söderblom, Ben Kindel, Bill Zonnon, Will Horcoff, Harrison Brunicke, Liam Ruck, and Markus Ruck.
Still, Yohe questioned whether Pittsburgh is moving quickly enough.
“Of course, Evgeni Malkin turns 40 this summer. Sidney Crosby turns 39 this summer,” he wrote. He also listed Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Tommy Novak among older regulars.
According to Yohe, those veterans represent half of Pittsburgh’s projected opening-night skaters.
Meanwhile, last season Crosby remained productive despite missing time due to injury. He recorded 74 points in 68 regular-season games and added five playoff points. He also became Pittsburgh’s all-time points leader with his 1,724th career point, passing Mario Lemieux, and now has 1761 points.
Dubas must balance loyalty to Sidney Crosby with long-term success
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) and center Sidney Crosby (87) talk on the ice at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Yohe believes difficult roster decisions cannot wait much longer, because, “Bringing back Malkin is nice for nostalgia, but how does it help build a team for the future?” He raised similar questions about Letang, Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell, suggesting veteran trades could accelerate the rebuild.
“I respect all of these players, but at some point, if they stay too long, they’re going to slow down the rebuild,” Yohe wrote.
Yohe made one clear exception. He said, “Crosby is different. He wants to play a few more years, and he’s a living legend.”
But he added, “You can’t rebuild around him. I’m not sure you can reasonably build something with a group of players this age.”
MORE: Paul Bissonnette stunned by Daniel Alfredsson’s move to ‘arch-nemesis’ Maple Leafs
Dubas has rejected a full teardown, instead pursuing a “semi-pivot” centered on younger NHL-ready talent. That approach keeps Pittsburgh competitive while preparing for the future.
The challenge now is deciding how long sentiment can outweigh roster evolution. Crosby remains elite, but the franchise’s next chapter depends on difficult decisions around everyone else.
Continue reading...
