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PHN EXTRA: Pens Predictions–Sprong, Kessel, Crosby & Juuso Surprise

Published

6 years ago

October 3, 2018

ITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 22: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Juuso Riikola (50) passes the puck during the second period in the preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets on September 22, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire)

The 2018-19 Pittsburgh Penguins are on the launchpad. The organization added depth, physicality, leadership, and speed in the offseason to reclaim the Stanley Cup. In the case of Matt Cullen, speed and leadership exist in the same sweater. The Penguins chased their game last season and never really got ahead puck as the chaotic season full of excuses and promise stalled but this season promises more real differences than Joel Schumaker’s and Christopher Nolan’s Batman movies.

In the impossible task of hockey predictions, Pittsburgh Hockey Now has gotten a few correct. We predicted the 2017 Stanley Cup and the early exit last season. Last year, we also predicted Penguins center Sidney Crosby would win the Hart Trophy, Jake Guentzel would have a big year and Conor Sheary would again be a nearly point-per-game player. Win some, lose some but the predictions are not made haphazardly.

And here we go:

Daniel Sprong was the most discussed player in Penguins training camp until Jusso Riikola not only knocked Sprong off the front page, he banished Sprong to the shadows.

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