What Happens to the Penguins When Sid Retires?
I was exchanging texts with PenguinPoop colleague Caleb DiNatale this morning when a dreadful thought occurred to me. One almost too terrible to entertain.
What happens to the Penguins when Sidney Crosby retires?
To digress for a moment, based on the excellent stretch-run play of rookies Ville Koivunen and Rutger McGroarty, not to mention the energizing effect and impact they’ve had on the team, it isn’t all that difficult to envision the Pens executing a turnaround quicker than anyone might imagine. Especially if fellow kids such as Tristan Broz, Harrison Brunicke, Sergei Murashov, Owen Pickering and perhaps even Avery Hayes prove to be ready in relatively short order.
Admittedly a stretch, but not outside the realm of possibility. After all, we’ve gone 9-4-2 since the trade deadline and have the look and feel of a decidedly different (if still flawed) team.
While a Capitals-style run to Presidents’ Trophy contender is most certainly out of the question, seriously challenging for a playoff spot as soon as next season might not be so far-fetched.