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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, three important questions facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1. Is there enough support for Sidney Crosby?

At 37 years old, Crosby is embarking on the last season of his 12-year contract valued at $104.4 million ($8.7 million average annual value). It is highly probable that he will sign a new contract to continue his tenure in Pittsburgh.

It’s unclear whether the Penguins can effectively support their captain and franchise’s figurehead.

Crosby led Pittsburgh with 94 points (42 goals, 52 assists) in 82 games last season, ahead of fellow center Evgeni Malkin (67 points; 27 goals, 40 assists). Malkin, 38, has had a slight regression from his most dominant seasons but remains part of a productive center pair with Crosby that has led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, 2017) entering their 19th season as teammates.

But Crosby and Malkin aren’t the issue. Crosby (42), forward Bryan Rust (28), Malkin (27) and forward Jake Guentzel (22), who was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7 and now is with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scored 119 of Pittsburgh’s 253 goals last season (47.0 percent).

The Penguins must not overly rely on Crosby and other leading forwards if they are to make a comeback to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, having missed the last two seasons.

“Crosby stated, “Over the past few years, we have missed by a narrow margin, which leads us to scrutinize countless games, plays and moments we wish we could do differently. The line is thin, and unfortunately, we have consistently found ourselves on the less favorable side.”

2. Can Tristan Jarry solidify his place as a No. 1 goalie?

Jarry has performed well in eight seasons with Pittsburgh, replacing Matt Murray as the primary starter in 2020-21. He is 136-85-25 with a 2.70 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

He tied for the NHL lead last season with six shutouts, but was 19-25-5 with a 2.91 GAA and .903 save percentage, each his worst in an NHL season with more than two games played. And Alex Nedeljkovic started the final 13 games of last season with Jarry healthy.

Jarry is entering the second year of his five-year contract, worth $26.875 million ($5.375 million AAV), which he signed on July 1, 2023.

With Nedeljkovic returning and goalie prospect Joel Blomqvist emerging in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, this could be a pivotal season for Jarry to cement his spot.

“I believe I’m just attempting to reach a new level,” said Jarry. “I’m striving for greater consistency.”

3. Can the power play be fixed?

Pittsburgh was 30th in the NHL on the power play at 15.3 percent last season. That’s with a top unit that featured Crosby, Malkin, Rust and defenseman Erik Karlsson. Guentzel also was part of that group before being traded. Defenseman Kris Letang was used with, and in place of, Karlsson.

On May 3, assistant coach Todd Reirden, responsible for the power play, was dismissed. David Quinn was brought on board on June 12 to fill Reirden’s position, taking charge of the defense and power play. Prior to this, Quinn spent two seasons coaching the San Jose Sharks, whose power play was ranked 20th last season, with a success rate of 20.2 percent.