Young Penguins try to find their Identity

So we are 10 games into the 07-08 NHL season, and the Penguins are still searching for that all important sense of self. Are they the Buffalo Sabres of last year, a high flying team that runs 4 lines of speed? How about the New Jersey Trap, can they pull that off with the same effect Jersey has done the past decade? Maybe they are like Anaheim in that they run a controlled trap, a bruising forecheck and a monster in goal.

No one knows, not even the Penguins players. They have yet to put together 60 continuous minutes of solid hockey. Sidney Crosby tried to motivate his team this past Saturday against the Canadians, by trying to undress Alexi Kovalev after a questionable hit to Malkin. Although it was unnecessary for Crosby to do it, Kovalev ment no real harm, but it did seem to motivate the Pens, they came back from a 2 goal deficit to earn one point from a game that seemed all but lost after 1 period of play.

The biggest question these young Penguins need to answer is Marc-Andre Fleury. Most every hockey fan in Pittsburgh has questioned his ability at one time or another. He has lightning quick reflexes, that point cannot be contended. He can be an extraordinary netminder. The problem is, he has never been consistent. Patrick Roy never matured till his mid 20's, our go-to guy is only 22. He hardly has the battle tested psyche that a Martin Brodeur or Dominic Hasek has. The big problem with MAF, is that he is a Restricted Free Agent this year. And undoubtedly, another team will try to 'Dustin Penner' him out from under Ray Shero's watch. So the Penguins are left with a huge question. Do they take a chance, sign Fleury to a long term deal and hope he matures into a goalie that deserved a top 3 pick on? Or will they let him be bought out from under us, or even traded away?

I can tell you one thing, I would hate to be in Ray Shero's shoes right about now. There are still quite a few question marks with this young team we have here in Pittsburgh, lets hope Mr. Shero has all the right answers.

Rich Wahl covers the Pens for RizzoSports.com