Complete Preview and Predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015-16

The Pittsburgh Penguins are aiming to reclaim their position among the Metropolitan Division's elite teams after a tumultuous 2014-15 campaign.

A strong start to the season, sparked by an explosive power play, was soon badly derailed by injuries and illnesses, leading to a revolving-door lineup that failed to find chemistry—or, in the end, much offense.

Pittsburgh squeaked into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, ranked 19th on offense and tied for ninth on the power play. They tied for 10th defensively thanks, in large part, to an impressively consistent year from starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

After bowing out to the New York Rangers in five games, Jim Rutherford made more big changes to his lineup in his second year on the job in Pittsburgh. 

Here's how the Pens stack up for 2015-16.

Key Roster Changes

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Key Departures

• Brandon Sutter (C)
• Blake Comeau (LW)
• Steve Downie (RW)
• Nick Spaling (C)
• Paul Martin (D)
• Christian Ehrhoff (D)
• Daniel Winnik (C)
• Craig Adams (RW)

Key Additions

• Phil Kessel (RW)
• Eric Fehr (C) (out 4-6 months after June elbow surgery, from Penguins.nhl.com)
• Nick Bonino (C)
• Matt Cullen (C)
• Sergei Plotnikov (LW)
• Adam Clendening (D)

The biggest offseason change on the Pittsburgh roster, of course, was the team's acquisition of sniper Phil Kessel. Third-line center Brandon Sutter headed out of Steel City in a trade to the Vancouver Canucks, while defensemen Paul Martin and Christian Ehrhoff also landed in the Pacific Division as unrestricted free agents.

Nick Bonino and the injured Eric Fehr have been added at center to replace Sutter and support Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

According to General Fanager, Pittsburgh has $2 million in available cap space to fill two remaining roster spots—one of which will almost certainly go to 25-year-old KHL veteran Plotnikov.

Projected 2015-16 Depth Chart

Gene Puskar/Associated Press

Forwards

Chris Kunitz - Sidney Crosby - Phil Kessel

Sergei Plotnikov - Evgeni Malkin - Patric Hornqvist

David Perron - Nick Bonino - Pascal Dupuis

Conor Sheary - Matt Cullen - Beau Bennett

Eric Fehr

Defense

Olli Maatta - Kris Letang

Derrick Pouliot - Ben Lovejoy

Ian Cole - Adam Clendening

Brian Dumoulin - Tim Erixon

Goal

Marc-Andre Fleury

Jeff Zatkoff

Biggest Storylines to Watch

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

How Will Phil Kessel Fit In?

The early signs look good for Phil Kessel on his new team. Skating alongside Sidney Crosby on the Penguins' top line, Kessel picked up three goals and an assist in his first two preseason games and appears to be embracing his post-Toronto Maple Leafs life.

Everyone's smiling for now. Will Kessel revert to his sulky self when the first losing streak hits or he gets split up from Crosby?

Options on the Blue Line

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford announced at the beginning of training camp that he hoped to start the season with eight defensemen on the roster, according to Wes Crosby at NHL.com. That's good news for young blueliners like Derrick Pouliot (21), Brian Dumoulin (24) and Adam Clendening (22).

The extra openings on defense might even mean that 41-year-old former Penguin Sergei Gonchar earns himself a new contract. He's part of the group that won the Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh in 2009, is close friends with Malkin and could provide some veteran leadership to a generally young blue line group—especially if he doesn't have to play every night.

Back from the Infirmary

The Penguins were ravaged by health issues in 2014-15, from Crosby's mumps to Olli Maatta's cancer to a long list of more typical upper- and lower-body injuries.

Three key Penguins—Kris Letang, Pascal Dupuis and Maatta—were all on the shelf with season-ending injuries as Pittsburgh limped through its first-round playoff loss to the New York Rangers last April. The trio has reported in good health for a training camp that, so far, has seen all players present and accounted for except new acquisition Fehr.

Fingers are crossed, especially, for a return to form for 36-year-old Dupuis as he battles back from a blood clot issue.

Best and Worst Case Scenarios

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Best-Case Scenario

Penguins fans are hoping that Crosby and Kessel click to ignite an offense that fizzled in last year's playoffs, and that the team gets through the season using far fewer than the 37 different players who donned the black and gold last season due to all the injuries, per NHL.com.

If the top stars stay healthy, Kessel will snipe at least 40 goals, Crosby will be back in the running for the Art Ross Trophy and the Penguins will make a push to be taken seriously in the postseason.

Worst-Case Scenario

The blue line thins out quickly after that top pair of Letang and Maatta—who have both battled multiple injuries over the last two seasons. If either or both is sidelined again for any period of time, that could stall the power play and force the remaining defensemen to play well above their capabilities.

Final Prediction

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Crosby and Kessel should be a ton of fun to watch as they develop their game together, and the Malkin-Plotnikov pairing could add an extra spark on the second line.

The Penguins will rediscover their offensive groove in 2015-16 and Marc-Andre Fleury will deliver another reliable season in net.

Assuming Letang and Maatta stay healthy, look for Pittsburgh to grab third place in a tough Metropolitan Division. Rather than limping into the playoffs like they did last season, they'll peak at the right time and bring their A-game in the postseason.