Three Questions for the 2011-12 Pittsburgh Penguins

Welcome back Pens Fans! It is time to forget the past and look forward to the future. Get that blown, two-game lead in last years first round of playoffs to the Tampa Bay Lightning out of your head. Forget that the Pens nearly won the division without Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.  That is the past, meaning it already happened, and we can't change it.  However, there are many more questions entering this season. The Pond will look at three of the most interesting. One of them will not be about Sid's brain because it has been discussed to much at this point, and we know the answer: We don't know when he will be back, but he should be back. 

2011 Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

The offseason is slowly coming to an end and for Pens fans across the country, it comes as bitter sweet relief. On one hand the boys of winter will be back on the ice and we have 82 games to look forward to. On the other hand we may be entering the season without our captain Sidney Crosby. It doesn't need to be said that 2011 has been nothing short of torture for Pens fans right from the start, and it's possible that the adversity still hasn't ended. 


Hockey is a different breed of sport, and adversity is a vital ingredient in molding great hockey teams. Nothing in this sport is ever given to you, and nothing comes easy. It's a long season and we know all too well of the obstacles that are certain to occur. We as fans need to have faith that the Pens as a team can overcome the adversity and find a way to win, much like they did last year. The adversity may come early this year. Actually it may come very early, and be the biggest challenge the Penguins have faced since the lockout. Sidney Crosby realistically may not be able to lace up his skates when the puck drops for the regular season. This could be the story-line of the entire season: Will the Pittsburgh Penguins overcome the absence of Sidney Crosby? Would our beloved Pens be able to overcome the long-term loss of the world's best hockey player? After the jump we will take a look at the 2011-12 Pittsburgh Penguins and try to answer that question.