Pittsburgh Penguins fantasy projections for 2024-25
Pittsburgh Penguins fantasy projections for 2024-25
Crosby continues to be a first-round mainstay, with Rust having the potential to be a draft bargain.
© Joe Sargent/NHLI
As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, the fantasy hockey staff has ranked the top 5 players on the Pittsburgh Penguins and identified other preseason draft targets with point and win projections for the 2024-25 season.
1. Sidney Crosby, F
NHL.com point projection: 97
Last season, Crosby ranked seventh in the NHL for even-strength points, scoring 71 in 82 games, and tied for twelfth in overall points with 94. He has achieved over 90 points in consecutive seasons, showcasing his consistent potential for elite production. In fantasy drafts, Crosby is a top-10 overall option to consider.
Crosby skillfully deflects Pettersson’s pass into the goal in the PIT vs. CHI game.
2. Evgeni Malkin, F
NHL.com point projection: 70
Last season, Malkin scored 67 points (comprising of 27 goals and 40 assists) in 82 games. However, in the two seasons before that, he averaged over 1.00 points per game. Malkin was the second-highest scorer for the Penguins in power-play points (18) and even-strength points (49). He still has the potential to score 30 goals and is considered a top-75 forward in fantasy and just about makes the top-100 players overall.
Malkin scores his second goal from down low in the TBL@PIT game, following up on the play.
3. Kris Letang, D
NHL.com point projection: 55
Last season, Letang ranked 18th among NHL defensemen, scoring 51 points (10 goals, 41 assists) in 82 games. He established a personal NHL career-best with 68 points (10 goals, 58 assists) in 78 games with Pittsburgh in the 2021-22 season. In fantasy, Letang could be viewed as a potential top 30 defenseman pick.
Letang from PIT smashes a shot off of the post and into the goal against BOS.
4. Erik Karlsson, D
NHL.com point projection: 55
Last season, Karlsson ranked third on the Penguins, scoring 56 points (11 goals, 45 assists) in 82 games. He holds a valuable position in their top power play lineup. Karlsson has demonstrated his potential by achieving 101 points (25 goals, 76 assists) in 82 games with the San Jose Sharks in the 2022-23 season. Together with Letang, Karlsson is a promising choice for a fringe top-30 defenseman in fantasy.
Karlsson smashes a one-timer at Pittsburgh, doubling the lead for Nashville.
5. Bryan Rust, F
NHL.com point projection: 60
Last season, Rust ranked second on Pittsburgh, scoring 28 goals in 62 games and averaging the second-highest goals per game at 0.45. Despite missing 20 games, he tied for third on the Penguins with 56 points. In fantasy drafts, he should be considered around the 175th pick. Given his goal-scoring prowess, Rust has the potential to be a surprise steal in the draft.
—
Other PIT players on preseason draft lists:
Sleeper candidate: Michael Bunting, F (point projection: 53)
