Penguins vet admits team isn’t pushing as hard; Not like it used to be (+)

The Pittsburgh Penguins were the star of the NHL for more than a decade. Young and exciting superstars filled the roster, while talented veterans sometimes made bargains to revive their careers, knowing that a few passes from Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin could bring in a hefty return on the free agent market the following season.

There were ups and downs, but three Stanley Cups and four Cup Finals appearances in nine years cemented the Penguins’ dynastic character.

The halcyon days of Sid the Kid and a fan base arguing over which superstar was better (and the inexplicable need to denigrate the other) are long gone. The legitimate hunt for the Stanley Cup is over. And the bigger question is who will still be here at the end of this season and who will be replaced by future talent from younger players.

The squad is no longer the same as it used to be. In fact, the team’s intensity and attitude are no longer what they once were, as evidenced by the fact that they are the worst team in the league by a margin of several goals.

At least one Penguins veteran knows the situation and wasn’t afraid to highlight the difference with a leftover lament in a locker room conversation with Pittsburgh Hockey Now.