Here’s a list of some of the Penguins problems this year:
1.) Malkin needs to be better.
2.) Goaltending was inconsistent early on.
3.) The Penguins battle level was inconsistent early on.
4.) Derick Brassard hasn’t lived up to expectations.
5.) The blue line without Justin Schultz has been average.
Any trade requests?
Anybody tweeting about going to play for another team?
Anyone throw shiiiiiz off of a balcony?
The answer is “no” to all of the above.
The Penguins haven’t been perfect, but they haven’t had drama. That’s not to suggest that there isn’t drama elsewhere around the NHL.
The Senators were filmed in the back of an Uber complaining about Guy Boucher. The Leafs had to deal with the William Nylander contract dispute.
The Penguins have had a little bit of it with Kessel and Sullivan, but it’s never reached critical mass. Phil Kessel is up over a point per hockey game.
Do Rutherford and Sullivan get along all the time? Probably not. Is it a big deal? No, it’s healthy.
There were questions about whether or not Kris Letang could be the same player again. He's been sublime.
There was a question as to whether or not Murray could be the guy. That lasted about a month.
The Penguins go about their business. They win. It’s pretty quiet.
They're refreshing. Even when they struggle, it’s about what’s happening on the ice.