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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 on the last season of his 12-year contract worth $104.4 million ($8.7 million average annual value) and is expected to sign a new contract to continue playing 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 rely as heavily on Crosby and the other top forwards if they are to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, after missing out for the past two seasons.

“Crosby stated, “In the past few years, we’ve missed the margin by such a small amount. This makes you reflect on numerous games and wish you could redo certain plays and actions. It’s a delicate balance. Regrettably, we’ve often ended up on the negative end of it.”

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.

“Attempting to reach another level and striving for more consistency is my goal,” said Jarry.

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 3rd, assistant coach Todd Reirden, who was in charge of the power play, was dismissed. David Quinn was appointed on June 12th to take over Reirden’s responsibilities of managing the defense and power play. Previously, Quinn had served as the coach for the San Jose Sharks for two seasons. Last season, the Sharks were ranked joint 20th for power play with a success rate of 20.2 percent.