The Pittsburgh Penguins were always a team that teemed with talent and potential.

However, after their most recent Stanley Cup win in 2009 the Pens failed to reach the Stanley Cup finals again. Luckily, the Pens have increased their chances of reaching the finals this time around.

Rebuild

After years of criticism for relying on star forwards Sidney Crosby and Evengi Malkin while having little depth in the bottom six and defense, the Penguins can finally put an end to these statements. The Penguins have literally reinvented their failed 2014-2015 season's team through the summer. 

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For the top two lines, the Pens have Crosby and Malkin quarter backing the first two lines. Crosby is most likely going to be flanked by the newly signed, 30 goal per season sniper Phil Kessel, and longtime linemate Chris Kunitz (projected to have around 50 points this season).

Crosby and Kessel combined for nine points in their first game playing together. Since their first game, the pair have developed more chemistry, making them potentially one of the most lethal pairings in the NHL.

Meanwhile, Malkin is flanked by Patric Hornqvist, who is coming off a great season scoring 25 goals and fellow countryman Sergei Plotnikov, a seasoned but young KHL veteran.

Unlike the previous years, the Pens also have offensive depth in their bottom six lineup.

Nick Bonino, a former second line center from the Canucks centers the Penguin's third line with David Perron and Pascal Dupuis, who have both enjoyed great success with the Penguin's organization.

Perron, who didn't have a great season last year, will aim to bounce back and has a ceiling of about 30 goals and 60 points this season.

The third line alone is already stacked and could very easily be a solid second line in any other NHL organization. Even the fourth line is quite decent with former Nashville star Matt Cullen centering Fehr and Beau Bennett. 

As for the Penguin's defense, they have a young, exciting, speedy defense headed by Kris Letang, one of the league's top offensive defensemen.

Other gritty, tough defensemen include Olli Maatta, Derrick Pouliot, Rob Scuderi, Ian Cole and Ben Lovejoy. With one of the best goalies in the league, Marc Andre Fleury, in net, the Pens will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 

Power play

The scariest part of the Penguins' team is their incredible powerplay unit. The first unit will feature star scorers Sidney Crosby, Evengi Malkin, and Phil Kessel with Chris Kunitz playing on the side of Crosby.

This entourage of talented scorers is quarter backed by Kris Letang. The second unit consists of Nick Bonino, David Perron, Patric Hornqvist, quarter backed by Olli Maata and Derrick Pouliot. Trying to kill a Pittsburgh penalty will be one of the most difficult things any team in the league will have to do. 

The Pens have enormous potential this season. Not only do they have star power but they have depth this year as well. If the Pittsburgh defense can hold their line and do their job, the Pens will definitely have a real chance at the Cup this year. 

The Pens will play the Dallas Stars on October 8th.