Bold Predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 2014-15 Season Begins

With a new general manager, coaching staff, system and players, the Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2014-15 season as anything but business as usual.

Having been the popular pick to win the Eastern Conference and advance to the Stanley Cup in recent years, the Pens seem to have fallen out of favor with a lot of analysts, prognosticators and even some of their own fans.

However, a strong start to the season and standout performances by both veterans like Sidney Crosby and newcomers such as Patric Hornqvist have put the Pens back in the conversation of the elite teams in the NHL.

Although the NHL season has just begun, it's never too early for rampant speculation, so let's take a look at the five bold predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season.

Paul Martin Will Be Traded

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

When he was acquired by the Penguins in free agency after the 2009-10 season, Paul Martin was seen as a hand-in-glove fit in Dan Bylsma's system, and he has definitely not disappointed.

Unfortunately, with the signing of Christian Ehrhoff, a wealth of young defensemen waiting in the wings and his impending free agency, Martin's time with the Pens may be drawing to a close.

With the return of Robert Bortuzzo from injury, the Pens now have seven defensemen on their roster, which leaves no room for NHL-ready prospects such as Scott Harrington, Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot.

In addition, the Pens have needs in other areas—most notably on Evgeni Malkin's line, as the lack of a top-six forward has compelled head coach Mike Johnston to move him to the wing and promote Brandon Sutter to center.

As reported by Ryan Dadoun of Pro Hockey Talk, there has not been much progress made on an extension for the 34-year-old. It seems that the organization is looking to promote from within, which will likely put Martin on the trade block this season.

Kris Letang Will Be a Norris Trophy Candidate

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Perhaps no Penguin in recent history has taken a nosedive in the eyes of fans and analysts than Kris Letang has.

Going from being a Norris Trophy candidate in the 2012-13 season to having an injury-plagued and disappointing 2013-14 campaign, Letang seemed on a downward spiral and on his way out of town, but things seem to have turned around under the new regime.

So far this season under new head coach Mike Johnston's system, Letang has four assists in as many games and, according to William DePaoli of InsidePittsburghSports.com, is getting rave reviews for his performance on the power play.

Playing in a puck-possession system that emphasizes backchecking and moving the puck through the neutral zone with speed, Letang is no longer forced to chase down pucks in the defensive zone or skate the puck into the offensive zone with little or no support.

Now in the first year of an eight-year, $58 million extension, Letang was thought to be too expensive for the Pens to keep, but with a new system and new defensive partner in Olli Maatta, he has vindicated general manager Jim Rutherford's belief in him and seems destined to once again be regarded among the league's elite.

Sidney Crosby Will Have a Career Year

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While it's hard to imagine that the reigning Hart and Art Ross Trophy winner could have an even better performance this season, Sidney Crosby is primed to do just that.

Playing alongside the always reliable Chris Kunitz and newcomer Patric Hornqvist, Crosby now has two linemates who are willing and able to get to the front of the net and create time and space. Crosby hasn't had that since he played alongside Kunitz and Bill Guerin during the Pens' Stanley Cup run in 2009.

Having set career highs with 51 goals in the 2009-10 season and 84 assists in the 2006-07 season, Crosby has everything he needs to break one or both of those marks this season and, in doing so, once again take home the Hart and Art Ross trophies.

With four goals and five assists in just five games this season, Crosby is off to the fastest start to a season in his career, and while his current scoring pace is obviously unsustainable, it has him tied for second among the league's scoring leaders—all of whom have played more games.

Having reached the 80-game plateau last season for the first time since the 2009-10 season, Crosby seems to have shaken the injury bug at least for now and is on his way to a career year.

Patric Hornqvist Will Score More Goals Than James Neal

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Since Patric Hornqvist has four goals in five games and James Neal has managed just two goals in six games so far this season, the thought that the Penguins added more offense than they gave up in the trade doesn't seem far-fetched.

However, that wasn't the general opinion after the deal that sent Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to the Pens and Neal to the Nashville Predators was made at the NHL draft this past summer.

Trailing only Alexander Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos, Phil Kessel and Cory Perry in goals over the past three seasons, Neal is a bona fide sniper and was a perfect fit on Evgeni Malkin's line, but he tended to disappear in the postseason and had a knack for taking lazy and irresponsible penalties.

Hornqvist, on the other hand, has proved to be effective, albeit not flashy. He has found a home on Sidney Crosby's wing, as the two have combined for eight goals already.

While Neal will continue to be a productive player with the Predators, the lack of a top-notch center will prevent him from scoring at the rate he did with the Pens, which is why Hornqvist will have better success finding the back of the net this season.

Marc-Andre Fleury Will Sign an Extension

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While you might not know it by local sports radio shows and fan blogs in the Pittsburgh area, Marc-Andre Fleury is much improved from his playoff collapse in the 2013 postseason and figures to be even better under new head coach Mike Johnston and his puck-possession system.

Playing in Dan Bylsma's run-and-gun system, Fleury was often victimized by his teammates' lax defensive play and ill-advised stretch passes, which often resulted in turnovers in the neutral zone and offensive pressure coming the other way. 

Under the new regime, the Pens have been much more responsible in their own end, and as the season progresses, Fleury's save percentage and goals-against average will reflect that. 

Having already made clear his desire to stay in Pittsburgh, Fleury will not be looking for a raise on the open market and seems more than willing to give the Pens the proverbial hometown discount.

Since none of the Pens' prospects appear NHL-ready, another good year for Fleury should be enough to earn him an extension, albeit a modest one.