Following Penguins 4-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Sunday Afternoon, Pittsburgh has not lost six of seven games and outscored 15-1 over their last three games. Watching Penguins in person closely it’s a different perspective than on TV. The caliber of teams on the ice Sunday was night and day. Edmonton is who the Penguins used to be six, seven years ago. Everyone knew that coming in. What’s striking is just how mentally the Penguins in a span of 7-10 days have become a hockey club that just knows they can’t win and yesterday’s game it didn’t matter if the Penguins put up 70 shots on goal. It just felt watching the teams body language, no matter what they were never going to put one behind the Oilers and it wasn’t because the goaltender was standing on his head or anything. This group on the ice is having a really hard time of dealing with the reality of how far they this season has gone off the rails and at least for the core group it looks to be starting to sink in that they may never be a legitimate contender together again……..

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Source: Crosby Camp Aware of Aggressive Summer Plan/Targeted List of Players

Even prior to the trade of Jake Guentzel, a course of action had already been mapped out to Sidney Crosby and his inner circle, multiple sources say, on how Pittsburgh believes they can turn this thing around in 2024/2025.

Whether Crosby & Co are buying it remains to be seen for a team going backwards but all parties involved are aware of what Pittsburgh is going to be attempting this summer.

Influx of Young players? Pittsburgh has outlined to Crosby’s camp how they believe 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager is well ahead of schedule and a strong contender to make the team next season and provide an immediate impact. Meanwhile, the feeling in Crosby’s camp is if Pittsburgh lands a top-10 pick in the 2024 draft, they will aggressively To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Trade/FA Route

Internally Penguin management has outlined a list of targeted players via trade, among them being To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

Crosby who as of today (i will stress) has planned to sign a two-or three-year extension with the Penguins, is expected to have feedback throughout the process, sources say. There’s still a small sentiment around the league though who are starting to wonder if he at least puts the pressure on the Penguins and doesn’t To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tidbits: On Jake Guentzel, want to blame Kyle Dubas, blame him for not bending to sign Jake Guentzel last summer if he truly believes in living in this world of somehow trying to contend while appeasing a core closer to 40 than 30. But, as time goes on, there’s a better chance than not that Pittsburgh got an acceptable return for Guentzel and I think fans, pundits will start to see it more in that light next season…………Michael Bunting is fitting right in with a lack of finish through two games on high danger chances, but he has the potential to become a fan favorite quickly. Sidney Crosby is not going to suddenly turn Bunting into a 40-goal scorer but Bunting flashes key elements this forward group lacks and management has to keep going this direction when targeting replacements for a forward group that lives on the perimeter…….

— Bryan Rust returning to the lineup Sunday is one of those players where in person you get a different look of just how good of a hockey player he is in all facets. What a hockey player Rust is but this summer is going to be decision time for both sides. There is certainly some around the league who absolutely love Rust but never understood the thinking from the Penguins to not prioritize resigning the younger Guentzel and cashing in on futures for Rust who has significant interest around the league from top contenders. Rust ‘Full No Move Clause’ protection expires after next season, and while Dubas has planned to be respectful to everyone who has a no move, at least from Rust standpoint you lose control to go where you want after next season. To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!

— I’m a tough critic on Evgeni Malkin. But, anyone watching Kris Letang lately? Turns 37 in April and we’re starting to see some signs on the ice he’s not going to age like fine wine. Learn to shelter Malkin in more of a third line minutes role, I’d much rather live with two more years of Malkin on the books than four more years for Letang…….. To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!