NHL Power Rankings: Pre-Training Camp Edition

Dec 16, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) moves the puck up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

12. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins made the biggest move of the offseason by trading top prospect Kasperi Kapanen and an additional first-round pick for Phil Kessel. Watching Kessel potentially play alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the new overtime 3-on-3 format could be really exciting.

Pittsburgh can score and added good depth in Nick Bonino and Eric Fehr. They did lose Paul Martin defensively, but are hoping Kris Letang and Olli Maatta can return strong from injury.

More from Blackhawks News

• Blackhawks vs Flames: Date, Time, Lineup, Betting Odds, More
• Three Takeaways from the Blackhawks’ Win vs Vancouver
• Blackhawks: Why Derek King is the Right Coach moving forward
• Marc-Andre Fleury Carries the Blackhawks to a 4-2 Win vs Seattle
• Instant Reaction: Blackhawks top Kraken for first time in history

The question isn’t whether Pittsburgh can make the playoffs anymore. It’s all about winning cups as Crosby and Malkin are in the prime of their careers. The biggest roadblock could be the erratic Marc Andre-Fleury.

Next: Next: No. 11

More from Blackhawk Up

• Blackhawks: Grading Connor Murphy and a position comparison
• Blackhawks: Shuffling the lines to try and spark offense at 5 on 5
• These Lineup Changes could Solve the Blackhawks’ Scoring Problem
• Blackhawks: List Of Things To Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving
• The perfect holiday gifts for the Chicago Blackhawks fan