Alex Jackovich-Hammond | staff writer

The Penguins still have three games remaining in the 2024-25 season but, in the eyes of the fans, the season ended the moment the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday night in a 3-1 loss to the outright dismal Blackhawks.

After 16 straight seasons of being a perennial contender and three Stanley Cup glories, the Penguins have missed the playoffs for the third straight year.

In a season that ended in a way that leaves fans disappointed, it’s important to reflect on all the moments the Penguins experienced this year that did just the opposite.

Just recently, fans witnessed Sidney Crosby break Wayne Gretzky’s record for most consecutive seasons recording a point per game, achieving the feat for the 20th year in a row. Crosby achieved the feat with a goal on March 27 in Buffalo.

On Oct. 16, also against the Sabres, a 6-5 overtime victory at PPG Paints Arena included not only Crosby’s 1,600th NHL point – making him just the 10th player ever to hit that mark – but also the welcoming of Evgeni Malkin into the 500-goal club.

There were many other milestone moments that made this season easier to stomach for a fanbase that has come to crave and expect success: Crosby became the all-time franchise assist leader, passing Penguins legend Mario Lemieux. Bryan Rust recorded his 400th career point in his 600th career game in January, Erik Karlsson recorded his 200th goal on Tuesday, Malkin reached the 1,200-game mark and Rickard Rakell achieved 500 career points among many other milestone moments that, quite frankly, would push this piece over the word count.

Despite the moments highlighted above, it also brings to light the team’s age and overreliance on its veterans. The Penguins are 32-35-12, with just 76 points. They currently hold the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft and are currently five points away from being statistically the worst team in the Eastern Conference. This is a below average-to-bad roster.

There was never a time this season where the Penguins were a real threat for the playoffs. Starting the year employing one of the oldest rosters in hockey, it was difficult to compete in a league that in 2025 is focused on speed and skill. It was more than just age that doomed this year’s Penguins, though.

One word: Goaltending.

Entering the second year of a five-year, $5.375 million contract, goaltender Tristan Jarry hit many roadblocks throughout the season, including a much-publicized trip to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Connor Hellebuyck is having a goaltender’s dream of a season in Winnipeg, yet it felt like Jarry was getting all the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The Penguins didn’t get much from backup goaltenders Alex Nedeljkovic or Joel Blomqvist, either, though they shouldn’t have needed to expect more than average play from either.

In the beginning of March, a switch was seemingly flipped. The defense started to tighten up; Jarry, fresh off being called up, was finding his stride again. On March 7, the trade deadline arrived – and the Penguins took full advantage of it.

From the beginning of the year up until the deadline, the Penguins traded away nine players, including forwards Drew O’Connor and Anthony Beauvillier and defenseman Marcus Pettersson. In return, the Penguins acquired numerous third and fifth-round draft picks.

From the moment after the trade deadline on, the vision has been clear for the Penguins: Keep a healthy culture with the core to help the young players develop, so when the time comes, the Penguins can make one more playoff push with Crosby, Malkin and Kris Letang.

The end of this season is showing the potential future for Pittsburgh. Rookies Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen are getting end-of-season opportunities to showcase their skills.

So, Penguins fans, enjoy these last few games. Enjoy a hot Tristan Jarry. Enjoy two ageless wonders in Crosby and Malkin still playing at such a high level. Finally, and perhaps mostly, enjoy the fact that general manager Kyle Dubas has gotten the Penguins 30 total draft picks over the next three years. The Penguins are heading in the right direction, and maybe it’ll be sooner than later they’ll be playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs again.

Staff writer Alex Jackovich-Hammond can be reached at jackovichhammond@duq.edu.