Pittsburgh Penguins Challenge Conventional Wisdom on Aging NHL Rosters
The rejuvenated and resilient Pittsburgh Penguins are proving that time can actually wait for a team, demonstrating rare resolve to beat the odds that any aging NHL roster is destined for decline and hard times. The Penguins have utilized 14 players north of 30 years of age this season, which typically serves as a signpost where skills begin to diminish and performance wanes.
However, the Penguins are actively chasing the Metropolitan Division title, defying expectations. Whether it's the ageless Sidney Crosby, 38, setting an exceptional standard with 57 points (27 goals, 30 assists) through 51 games, or the collective commitment to return to the postseason for the first time in four years, their effort is commendable. Notably, the Penguins also have the contracts of six key players over 30 expiring after this campaign, adding another layer of intrigue to their situation.
"They have world-class players who have taken care of themselves," Canucks head coach Adam Foote remarked on Sunday. "They keep working on their games and get better. Their core guys do it better than any, and the rest of the team sees it and follows."
Canucks' Past Offers Stark Rebuild Lessons
What can the Vancouver Canucks take from the Penguins' example on their own road to a rebuild? A look in the rear-view mirror provides a stark reminder that good times do not always last, and failing to prepare for the future can be a fatal flaw for any franchise.
The Canucks amassed 101 points in the 2014-15 season, boasting the sixth-ranked offence, the ninth-rated power play, and a dozen players who hit double digits in goals. Daniel Sedin recorded 76 points (20 goals, 56 assists), Henrik Sedin had 73 points (18 goals, 55 assists), while Radim Vrbata struck for an impressive 31 goals.
However, they fell to the Calgary Flames in six games during the opening round of the playoffs, a series that was there for the taking. Henrik, Daniel, and Vrbata were held to just two goals apiece as the power play fizzled. This outcome served as a precursor of what was to come, because the Canucks were also getting older.
The following campaign, Ryan Miller was 35, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, along with Vrbata and Alex Burrows, were 34, while Dan Hamhuis and Chris Higgins were 32. The Canucks attempted to re-tool on the fly but plummeted to just 75 points and were eliminated from playoff contention by March 26. They would miss the postseason for the next four consecutive years.
It was the perfect storm of adversity. Injuries and suspect off-season acquisitions contributed to their demise, along with poor production by top point producers. With a plodding power play, Henrik had 18 fewer points, Daniel 15 less, and Vrbata dropped to a mere 13 goals, as head coach Willie Desjardins maintained a four-line rotation. At one point, nine regulars were sidelined, forcing as many as seven rookies into the lineup.
Rebuild Pain Leads to Long-Term Gain
Fast forward to the present, and one truth remains clear: without the pain of a rebuild, there is no long-term gain. Teams like the Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, and San Jose Sharks find themselves in playoff positions because of their willingness to avoid repeating past failures in roster construction and understanding that youth will eventually be served.
Canucks head coach Adam Foote is buoyed by what the future presents, with a young and potential-packed defensive corps including Zeev Buium (20), Tom Willander (20), Elias Pettersson (21), and Victor Mancini (23). There's also the emergence of forwards like Linus Karlsson and Drew O'Connor, the promise of Liam Ohgren, and hope that health down the middle with Filip Chytil and Marco Rossi can stabilize the rough rebuild ride.
"We were in a situation where we just got slammed," admitted Foote. "My job is to coach, and we want to win every night and be in the playoffs. We're going to keep grinding and fighting; that's just the way we're wired. We're in a situation where we'll have more development to get better, whether it's a five-year player or a first-year player."
"You teach, and mainly what I want to do is focus on the culture. Stick to it. I don't want to ride the waves. Things will fall into place sooner than later, and that's the approach I'm going to take."
Upcoming Week Presents Key Matchups
Looking ahead, the Canucks face a challenging week with critical matchups that will test their progress and resilience.
Canucks vs. Sharks (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena): The dynamic young duo of Olympian Macklin Celebrini, 19, and linemate Will Smith, 20, are best friends and bad news for the opposition. Their flair for the dramatic, innate chemistry, and creativity have resulted in a combined 107 points (40 goals, 67 assists), even though Smith missed 13 games to injury. The Sharks are freewheeling and have seven players in double-digit goals.
Canucks vs. Ducks (Thursday, 7 p.m., Rogers Arena): The question is which Anaheim team will show up? The one riding a six-game win streak and sitting third in the Pacific Division, even without injured 44-point centre Leo Carlsson? Or the one that laboured through nine straight setbacks before the hot streak? The Ducks have given up the second-most goals per game at 2.46 per outing, so Joel Quenneville needs his team to play better defensively.
Canucks vs. Maple Leafs (Saturday, 4 p.m., Rogers Arena): Will the Leafs keep falling? They spoiled the return of Mitch Marner on Friday, keeping him from scoring, but Mark Stone scored twice and extended his point streak to 14 games as the Golden Knights won easily. On Sunday, Brock Nelson had a hat trick as the Avalanche rolled to a triumph. Centre Auston Matthews, who leads his club with 25 goals, will be a key player to watch.
As the Canucks navigate these games, the lessons from both the Penguins' defiance of aging and their own rebuild journey will continue to shape their path forward in the NHL landscape.
