Age has been tossed about and cited as a reason the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins won’t attain acceptable levels of success. The age question is a legitimate one, but the Penguins not only ignored it, they steered into it.
Evgeni Malkin begins a four-year contract. Kris Letang begins (presumably) his final six years. Both are in their mid-30s.
And the Pittsburgh Penguins are officially the oldest team in the NHL, according to CapFriendly.com.
Thanks, CapFriendly.
At least when I enter the Penguins’ locker room, I might recognize some of the music, clothing styles, and maybe Sidney Crosby will hand me butterscotch from his cardigan pocket.
Oh wait, that’s me who wears the old-man sweaters. They used to be ironic.
According to CapFriendly, the average age of NHL players is now 27.4, but to no one’s surprise, the second-oldest team in the league is the Penguins’ fiercest rivals, the Washington Capitals.
It’s close between the two teams. The Penguins’ average age is 30.24. The Capitals’ average age is 30.20.
Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Calgary round out the top five. Tampa Bay is the only other team with an average age over 29. Calgary and Boston are just over 28, which means the Penguins are, on average, a full two years older than the fifth-oldest team.
After the Penguins set their 23-man roster (with 22 players) on Sunday, they had just over $80,000 in salary-cap space remaining. While that’s enough to suit up Thursday, when the Penguins host the Arizona Coyotes, that’s not enough to make additional moves, just as call-ups if a few players suffer minor injuries.
Buffalo, Ottawa, and Arizona are the youngest teams. Only the Senators may have some success this season, though they are caught in the top-heavy Atlantic Division. Their best chance to reach the playoffs rests with a potential failure of the Boston Bruins.
Buffalo’s average age is just over 25.
I hate them already.
Surprisingly, the New Your Rangers made the list as a young team. That should send a (forearm) shiver down Penguins fans’ spines. Their average age is about 26.5.
The other Metro Division teams overflowing with youth are the New Jersey Devils (fifth) and the Philadelphia Flyers (10th). Neither is regarded as a playoff contender, and the Flyers may well be in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.
Here are the oldest:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Tampa Bay
4. Toronto
5. Calgary
6. St. Louis
7. NY Islanders
8. San Jose
9. Vegas
10. Chicago— CapFriendly Depth Charts (@CF_DepthCharts) October 11, 2022
As a seasoned hockey analyst and enthusiast with a deep understanding of the sport, I bring to you an insightful perspective on the age dynamics within the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins, a team that has been a subject of scrutiny due to its aging roster. My wealth of knowledge in the field is not merely based on theoretical insights but is grounded in a practical understanding of the game and a comprehensive analysis of current statistics.
The central theme of concern in the article revolves around the age of key players in the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup, notably Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, who are embarking on extended contracts in their mid-30s. To bolster the credibility of these concerns, CapFriendly.com is cited as a reputable source, officially ranking the Penguins as the oldest team in the NHL for the given season.
CapFriendly.com, recognized for its accuracy in providing up-to-date and reliable information on team salary caps and player contracts, is cited not only for the Penguins' age but also for comparative analysis. The article highlights that the average age of NHL players stands at 27.4, further reinforcing the notion that the Penguins are deviating significantly from the league average. The Washington Capitals, the Penguins' fierce rivals, emerge as the second-oldest team in the league, making the age competition intense between the two.
The article extends its analysis beyond the Penguins, revealing the top five oldest teams in the NHL, which includes Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Calgary. This context serves to emphasize the Penguins' unique position as the oldest team, with an average age of 30.24, a stark contrast to the league average.
Moreover, the article touches upon the financial constraints faced by the Penguins, as they have just over $80,000 in salary-cap space after finalizing their roster. This limitation is crucial, as it hampers the team's ability to make additional moves or call-ups in the event of injuries, adding another layer of complexity to the age-related challenges.
In juxtaposition, the article also sheds light on the youngest teams in the league, such as Buffalo, Ottawa, and Arizona, providing a comprehensive view of the age spectrum in the NHL. The youthful composition of these teams is contrasted with the Penguins, further emphasizing the uniqueness of their situation.
To sum up, the article provides a nuanced analysis of the age-related concerns surrounding the 2022-23 Pittsburgh Penguins, leveraging credible sources like CapFriendly.com and presenting a holistic view of the league-wide age dynamics for context. As an expert in the field, I recognize the significance of age as a factor in a team's performance and offer this analysis to enrich your understanding of the dynamics at play in the NHL.
