27-44-6-5 (65 pts.)
14th in East
29th overall

Drake Berehowsky, D (FA-Phx); Marc Bergevin, D (T-TB); Patrick Boileau, D (FA-Det); Martin Brochu, G (FA-Europe); Martin Brochu, G (FA); Kelly Buchberger, RW (FA-Phx); Mike Eastwood, C (FA-Chi); Reid Simpson, LW (FA-Nas)

Tom Barrasso, G (Ret); Joel Bouchard, D (FA-Buf); Alexandre Daigle, C (FA-Min); Micki Dupont, D (FA-Europe); Johan Hedberg, G (T-Van); Shawn Heins, D (FA-Atl); Mathias Johansson, LW (FA-Europe); Richard Lintner, RW (FA-Europe); Ville Nieminen, RW (FA-Chi); Mikael Samuelsson, RW (T-Fla); Robbie Tallas, G (FA-Europe); Vladimir Vujtek, LW (FA-Europe)

Whoever ends up tending goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins, one thing is for certain: He is going to be an untested starter learning on the job.

The Pens took a pretty big risk in the off-season, dealing their No. 1 netminder, Johan Hedberg, to the Vancouver Canucks and looking to Sebastien Caron, Jean-Sebastien Aubin or this year's No. 1 overall pick, Marc-Andre Fleury, to take over.

Caron seems to be the early favourite. He signed a long-term contract after a solid rookie campaign. He has a calm demeanour, which he'll need playing for a team that will give up a lot of goals.

It's scary to think of how bad this team would be without Mario Lemieux around. Thankfully for Pens fans, Lemieux decided to come back for at least one more season, meaning the team will ice at least one line that's capable of scoring.

Martin Straka and Aleksey Morozov are expected to line up alongside Lemieux. Besides that top line, however, the Pens are disturbingly thin with largely unproven youngsters dotting the roster. Unlike the Pens' heyday, when they had Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr or Mark Recchi in the lineup, they have unknowns such as Tomas Surovy and Guillaume Lefebvre. This year will be quite a challenge for rookie head coach Ed Olczyk.

If all of this wasn't enough to give Olczyk an ulcer, he has the job of trying to salvage the Pens' defence.

When it comes to reliable defencemen, the Pens have just two. Dick Tarnstrom and Michal Rozsival. There's not much after that. Olczyk is going to have to be patient with his group of no-names.

It's amazing how dominant Mario has been since his return to the game three years ago. Since starting his comeback bid in December 2000, he's averaged almost a point and a half (1.47) a game. Even at the age of 37, Lemieux is still the total package of size, reach, offensive touch and most importantly, creativity.

Every player on the ice is aware of his presence, but it's almost impossible to defend him. If he can remain healthy for most of the season, don't be surprised to see Lemieux's name up among the overall scoring leaders.