Here's an excerpt from my latest TribLive.com column:
The Penguins have 13 forwards and eight defensemen under one-way NHL contract. The former figure doesn’t include Ben Kindel, who is still on his rookie deal but a lock to make the team.
That doesn’t allow much room for young players on two-way contracts. Like Avery Hayes, Harrison Brunicke and Rutger McGroarty, to name a few.
That means same old, same old.
Emphasis on the “old.”
The Penguins’ first two five-man units will likely include players that are 40, 39, 39, 36, 35, 34 and 33.
Trying to contend and rebuild at the same time is resulting in neither.
The Penguins lost more games than they won last season.
They lost a first-round series to their hated rival, dropping the first three games by way of never having a chance. None of their talented old guys had enough gas in the tank to step up and take over.
They nonetheless stood pat and stayed ancient.
To read more, click HERE.
If you're keeping score at home, here's the AARP crew:
Evgeni Malkin, 40.
Sidney Crosby, 39.
Kris Letang, 39.
Erik Karlsson, 36.
Trevor van Riemsdyk, 35
Bryan Rust, 34.
Rickard Rakell, 33.
Lots of talent.
Lots of years, too.
The Penguins are in the nostalgia business.
Photo: Brett Holmes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images