Hopefully syn12/26/2023 ![]() "Such a talented player, good goal scorer." The 29-year-old is already looking like a solid fit with Crosby and Guentzel, with Sullivan praising his tight-area skills and ability to make something out of nothing. ![]() Now that Rakell is able to get his feet under him, "it will be fun to see what he can do all year long," Letang said. He left a great impression after being acquired from Anaheim at last year's trade deadline, and signed a six-year contract extension in the offseason because he felt like it was an incredible opportunity. "That's a challenge that internally, he has for himself," associate coach Todd Reirden said of the 28-year-old winger, who became a first-time father this offseason. He went on to have his second career 40-goal season and scored eight times in seven games during Round 1 against the New York Rangers, and the Penguins feel like he's poised to build on where he left off. It's about winning hockey games."Īfter being held to one goal in six games against the New York Islanders in the 2021 playoffs, Guentzel felt like he let a lot of people down, saying he had to find a better way to produce and do his job. ![]() "It's not necessarily about the Cinderella story. From an off-ice standpoint, now that a summer of uncertainty is in the past, it feels like the captain is hungrier than ever to lead the Penguins to another championship. From an on-ice standpoint, he looks like his usual dominant self. It's actually surreal how the captain truly shows no signs of slowing down at 35 years old. Here are the projected opening-night forward combinations… And Sullivan feels when they do that, the Penguins have the ability to play as fast as any team in the league. There's nothing better than team speed, and it's a collective effort that requires everyone to be on the same page. "But they think the game on such a high level that they can create speed different ways with their anticipation skills, their puck skills and their ability to change the point of attack." So, they're not slow by any stretch," Sullivan said. "I think when you look at the core players that we have, first and foremost, they're all good skaters. ![]() And when the Penguins talk about speed, it's not necessarily centered around being fleet of foot, it's about processing the game fast. This group is based on puck pursuit and forecheck - essentially putting relentless pressure on an opposing team. They've all looked good this preseason, so hopefully we can hit the ground running here." It's good to have everybody and be able to work on certain situations that they're going to be in, and whatnot. "Those two and Tanger drive this team, right? With one or two or whatever not in the lineup, it totally changes things. It's been huge for them to get a full training camp for the first time in a long time, from both an individual and team perspective. The Penguins had to start last year without the two-headed monster, as Crosby and Malkin were recovering from offseason surgeries. They finalized that roster on Monday, and we took a look at each position - and all of the individuals - ahead of the season opener on Thursday versus Arizona at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins believe they have what it takes to do just that, as general manager Ron Hextall did a tremendous job of keeping the roster mostly intact. "And we're all really proud and excited for the opportunity to compete again this year and hopefully, go further than we did the last little while, for sure." "I think that regardless of age, it's a motivated group," Crosby said. And they're healthy, hungry and ready to lead this team. With Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang signed to long-term extensions, the Penguins boast the best core in the National Hockey League, entering their historic 17 th season together. As head coach Mike Sullivan likes to say, they may be getting older, but they're not old.
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