He's seen "forecasts" that the Penguins should be just on the bubble of a playoff spot once again this season. He's heard outside noise that this is the Penguins' last real shot at a run, and if they fail to make the postseason again, "that will slowly draw this era of Penguins hockey to a close."

Kyle Dubas knows what is said about the club he is charged with crafting and steering. After two seasons of being a spectator for the playoffs — and six springs without a postseason series victory — the external view of the Penguins isn’t what it once was.

With a healthy combination of veteran leadership and youth energy, the Penguins look to become contenders again as soon as possible