3 questions facing Pittsburgh Penguins

NHL.com is providing in-depth analysis for each of its 32 teams from Aug. 1-Sept. 1. Today, three important questions facing the Pittsburgh Penguins.

1. Can Malkin shine in his potential final season?

Evgeni Malkin was resurgent last season, his 20th in the NHL. The forward had 61 points (19 goals, 42 assists) in 56 games to average more than a point per game after falling short of that mark each of the previous two seasons.

Some of that was aided by a shift from second-line center, where Malkin has played the majority of his storied career, to right wing on the same line. He also missed 26 games because of injury or suspension, which general manager Kyle Dubas said was a blessing in disguise.

"'Geno' is built differently, and I thought the different times off during the year really served him well," Dubas said. "I think we were fortunate in that regard, and I don't think you ever feel that during the year at the time. You think, ‘Jeez, he’s out. That stinks.’ But every time he came back from being out, he played his best hockey."

The 40-year-old signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract on May 26 to return to Pittsburgh and forgo becoming an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He'll look to maintain the same production from last season across a full 84 regular-season games.

2. Who is the true No. 1 goalie?

Arturs Silovs is likely to start the season as the primary starter after signing a one-year, $2.8 million contract to stay with the Penguins on July 5. Stuart Skinner, acquired in a trade that sent goalie Tristan Jarry to the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 12, signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1.

Silovs was 19-12-8 with a 3.07 goals-against average, .887 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 games (38 starts) last season. In his NHL career, the 25-year-old has a 3.09 GAA and .885 save percentage.

It might only be a matter of time before Sergei Murashov, a highly touted prospect, takes over. The 22-year-old has been dominant with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League and was 1-1-2 with a 2.56 GAA, .897 save percentage and one shutout in his first five games (four starts) with Pittsburgh last season.

Fellow prospect Joel Blomqvist, who is 4-9-1 with a 3.81 GAA and .885 save percentage in the NHL, will also push for a spot with the Penguins.

"It’s an area of good strength and depth for us, but the guys have earned that. It hasn't been given," Dubas said. "Obviously, both (Murashov and Blomqvist) have gotten NHL time. … For us, it's just 'Continue to watch them, give them the opportunity.'"​

3. Can Karlsson have a repeat performance?

Last season, Erik Karlsson looked like every bit of the defenseman Pittsburgh felt it was acquiring from the San Jose Sharks in a three-team trade that also involved the Montreal Canadiens on Aug. 3, 2023.

After being relatively quiet in his first two seasons with the Penguins, the 36-year-old had 66 points (15 goals, 51 assists) in 75 games, second on Pittsburgh behind center Sidney Crosby (74 points; 29 goals, 45 assists in 68 games). Karlsson was also more responsible defensively, which was helped by his chemistry with defenseman Parker Wotherspoon on the top pair.

Wotherspoon is gone, however, traded to the Vegas Golden Knights for defenseman Kaedan Korczak on June 30.

Karlsson, who has been voted the winner of the Norris Trophy three times as the League's top defenseman (2012, 2015, 2023), will need to put up the same numbers, if not better, with a new partner in the final season of an eight-year, $92 million contract ($11.5 million average annual value).

"I think that the potential is definitely there to improve, roster-wise," Karlsson said on May 1. "It's exciting times. Obviously, haven't been a lot of fun here lately."