Top 5 Storylines Emerging During the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2014-15 Preseason

While every preseason has its own position battles, system changes and question marks, the Pittsburgh Penguins haven't had as many of each wrapped in one preseason as this one.

With new faces on the ice, behind the bench and in the front office, the Pens team that arrived for the first day of training camp is a much different one than the one that left the Consol Energy Center ice last spring after another short playoff run, and there may be more changes before opening night.

With less than two weeks remaining before their home opener against the Anaheim Ducks on October 9, let's take a look at the top five storylines for the Pittsburgh Penguins this preseason.

Less Glitz, More Grit

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Having been pushed around in the playoffs for the second straight year, the Penguins decided they needed to change the composition of their roster in order to add a little sandpaper to their game and become a tougher team to play against.

Starting with the trade that sent James Neal to the Nashville Predators in exchange for rugged forwards Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling and continuing with signings of Steve Downie, Blake Comeau and Dan Carcillo, they have done just that.

While the Pens will still have one of the most potent offenses in the league with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin leading the way at the top of the lineup, they figure to be much improved at the bottom of the lineup and are looking to be a better five-on-five team.

While no one expects the Pens to suddenly morph into the "Broad Street Bullies," observers from around the league will be taking notice of how the new rougher and tougher Pens jell as a team and perform on the ice.

Shuffling the Lines

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Although the Penguins have had very little turnover up front over the past few seasons, they figure to use some line combinations this season that will be very different from what their fans are used to seeing.

Having replaced almost all of the coaching staff and the general manager, the Pens are in the midst of a transition from a top-heavy puck-pursuit team to a deeper and more balanced puck-possession team, and different styles require different types of players and different line compositions. 

While Sidney Crosby, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis could once again find themselves on the same line as they often have over the past few seasons, the question as to who Evgeni Malkin's linemates will be has yet to be definitively answered and may not be until after the regular season begins.

With the departure of one-third of their top two lines in James Neal and Jussi Jokinen and the near-complete revamping of the bottom two lines, new head coach Mike Johnston will have a more talented group of forwards to work with, but it may take some time to see how they best fit together.

Blue Chips on the Blue Line

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

While the problem of having too many talented defensemen is obviously preferable to not having enough, it is still a problem that the Penguins are facing.

Even after losing three defensemen during the offseason, the Pens have a logjam on the blue line with Paul Martin, Kris Letang, Rob Scuderi, Robert Bortuzzo and Olli Maatta returning, plus newcomer Christian Ehrhoff and the enigmatic Simon Despres, who is now waiver-eligible, rounding out the roster.

In addition, Scott Harrington, Brian Dumoulin and Derrick Pouliot are all viewed as NHL-ready, and Philip Samuelsson, who recently cleared waivers and was sent to the Wilkes-Barre Pens, isn't far behind.

To add even more intrigue, Paul Martin is entering the final year of his contract and, according to Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, is expected to test free agency next summer.

With so many candidates for so few spots, it will be interesting to see how the Pens proceed. Will they stand pat or will they proceed with the youth movement on defense and deal Martin for help up front?

Backing Up the Flower

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Having signed Tomas Vokoun to push Marc-Andre Fleury for playing time and, as he did in the 2013 postseason, take over in net if needed, the Penguins were forced to rely on an unproven backup in Jeff Zatkoff when Vokoun was lost for the season.

Despite never having started an NHL game prior to last season, Zatkoff played well and posted a record of 12-6-2 with an impressive 2.61 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

However, everyone knew that he wasn't going to be the answer in net if Fleury struggled like he did the previous postseason.

With Fleury entering the last year of his contract, new general manager Jim Rutherford decided that the team needed a better backup plan and signed Thomas Greiss to a one-year deal to compete for the backup job but also as a potential longer term solution if the Pens part ways with Fleury next offseason.

With three goaltenders under contract for two spots, the question remains as to whether the Pens will try to sneak one of them through waivers to go to their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre or if they will try to trade the odd man out.

Corsi Comes to Town

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Having been known primarily as a puck-pursuit team that was always looking to stretch the ice with long passes or dump the puck deep into the opponent's zone, the Penguins will have a different look this season.

Known for his emphasis on the transition game and puck support, new head coach Mike Johnston will employ a puck-possession style that is predicated on clean entries into the offensive zone and getting the puck to the front of the net.

Enter the Corsi For Percentage, the stat named for Buffalo Sabres goaltending coach Jim Corsi that measures the shot differential between teams for each player when they are on the ice, which will take on greater importance in the Pens' new system.

Last season, the Los Angeles Kings led the league in Corsi For Percentage at 56.8 percent and went on to win the Stanley Cup, while the previous Stanley Cup winner, the Chicago Blackhawks, finished second at 55.4 percent.

The Pens, on the other hand, finished 21st and, for the second straight year, struggled to generate offensive-zone pressure against bigger and more physical teams in the playoffs.

Although the Pens are usually among the league leaders in goals scored and will likely be so again this season, it will be interesting to see if the Pens' new system results in an improved Corsi rating and makes them better prepared for the postseason.