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NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are attempting to tread a delicate balance.

The team that won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017 is noticeably different. However, the Penguins are of the belief that they aren’t too far removed to completely abandon the strategies that led to their 16 consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs from 2007-22.

“The franchise’s on-ice direction is not just about barely making it to the playoffs,” said General Manager Kyle Dubas. “Our aim is to quickly restore the team to contender status. Whether this can be achieved this season or the next is difficult to predict.”

This clearly isn’t a situation where we need to start from scratch. The individuals in the [locker] room are too talented for such measures. Our focus is to utilize all available methods to secure future resources that we can incorporate into our organization. This may be through drafting, recruiting younger free agents, making trades, or claiming waivers. All aimed at supporting the core group we currently have.

Centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin remain part of that core, along with defenseman Kris Letang. Defenseman Erik Karlsson, set for his second season in Pittsburgh, now is considered part of it too.

Crosby celebrated his 37th birthday on August 7. He has a remaining season on his 12-year contract worth $104.4 million, which he signed on July 1, 2012. This contract has an average annual value of $8.7 million.

Following the Penguins’ failure to make the playoffs for two consecutive seasons, their captain was unable to specify how many seasons he has left in the NHL. Crosby’s current goal, while still in Pittsburgh, is clear – he wants to compete for a fourth championship alongside 38-year-old Malkin and 37-year-old Letang, and strive for a first championship with 34-year-old Karlsson.

In his 19th NHL season, Crosby spearheaded the Penguins with 94 points from 82 games, which included 42 goals and 52 assists. The team’s end-season performance was particularly uplifting, as they recorded an 8-2-2 finish in their last 12 games. This left them just three points short of the Washington Capitals, who held the second wild card for the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Crosby expressed, “I felt like we truly united as a team. I’ve reiterated this before, each individual played a significant role in giving us a fighting chance towards the end. I believe that’s a solid foundation to build upon, and hopefully, the momentum we’ve gained can be carried forward into the next year.”

And Pittsburgh won’t appear significantly different from that stretch run.

Forwards Reilly Smith, traded to the New York Rangers after one season with the Penguins, and Jeff Carter, who retired after 19 NHL seasons, are key departures. Defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph also won’t return after signing a one-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.

Kevin Hayes could add to the bottom-six forward group after being acquired in a trade with the Blues on June 29. The same could be said for Blake Lizotte (two years) and Anthony Beauvillier (one year), each of whom signed with Pittsburgh on July 1, and Cody Glass, acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on Aug. 13. Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk might compete for a spot next to Letang or Karlsson after signing a one-year contract July 1.

But the top contributors are unchanged.

Crosby is leading, accompanied by Malkin, Letang, and Karlsson.

There’s still forward Bryan Rust, coming off an NHL career-high 28 goals in 62 games last season. Forwards Rickard Rakell, Michael Bunting and Drew O'Connor could fill out the top two lines with Crosby and Malkin.

Tristan Jarry will be the primary starting goalie, with Alex Nedeljkovic signing a two-year, $5 million contract ($2.5 million AAV) June 20 to stay as the backup.

Those remaining pieces are enough for coach Mike Sullivan.

“Sullivan asserted, “Our vision and direction are crystal clear with respect to our goals and strategies.” He expressed confidence in the team, stating, “Sid, Kris Letang, Karl and Geno are not just competitive but also highly skilled players. They’re still performing at an incredibly elite level.”

We believe we are in a situation where we’re attempting to equip our core group with whatever resources we can to compete effectively and rise to the challenge.