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head coach: Kevin Constantine

roster: C - Stu Barnes, Robert Lang, Martin Straka, Tyler Wright, Sean Pronger. LW - German Titov, Ian Moran, Todd Hlushko, Steve Maltais. RW - Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Morozov, Robby Brown, Robert Dome. D - Darius Kasparaitis, Kevin Hatcher, Brad Werenka, Jiri Slegr, Chris Tamer, Bobby Dollas, Neil Wilkinson, Tuomas Gronman. G - Tom Barrasso, Peter Skudra.

transactions: Gonesville: Ron Francis (Carolina), Andreas Johansson (Ottawa), Alex Hicks (San Jose), Garry Valk (Toronto), Ed Olczyk (Chicago), Peter Ferraro (Edmonton), Fredrik Olausson (Anaheim), Ken Wregget (Calgary). Charlie New Guys: German Titov, Todd Hlushko, Steve Maltais, Bobby Dollas.

1997-98 results:

Record...........40-24-18, 98 PTS, 2nd Eastern Conference 
Goals Scored.....228
Goals Against....188
Power Play.......16.5% (11th)
Penalty Killing..86.4% (8th)

WHAT'S WRONG WITH LAST PLACE?

The Pittsburgh Penguins went above and beyond expectations last season, winning the Northeast Division and finishing with the second best record in the Eastern Conference. But a lot can change in the course of one summer. Not only have the Arctic Birds switched divisions, moving to the Atlantic to join their old Patrick rivals, but they've also lost their captain and leader, Ron Francis. Throw in a messy ownership squabble between Howard Baldwin and Roger Marino, a possible lawsuit by Mario Lemieux, and trade rumors involving Jaromir Jagr, and things look grim. Will Kevin Constantine be able to rally the troops to another surprising effort? Not likely.

OFFENSE: Youngsters Are Key

The biggest news to come out of the off-season was Francis leaving town to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes. While LCS Hockey usually rips on guys that bail on their team for scratch, Francis is the exception. Even though he never made more than $1.8 million a season during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure with the Penguins, Francis never complained about his contract. He simply went out night after night and gave it his all on the ice. He's the definition of the word professional. If the Penguins would have made an honest effort to retain his services, Francis would still be in the Burgh. But the cash-strapped Pens didn't even bother to make an attempt. And at 35, this was Ronnie's last chance to cash in. He earned his pay day.

Without his veteran mentor around, Jaromir Jagr is now left all by his lonesome in the Steel City. That's not good. Francis was the most influential force on Jagr's career. Not having number 10 around could be a shock to his system. How Jagr deals with his friend's absence will have an enormous impact on Pittsburgh's season. He's going to have to elevate his game on the ice and take up a greater leadership role in the room. While most don't think Jagr is captain material, he has stated that he'd like to wear the C and have a chance to prove the critics wrong. So at least that's encouraging.

But will Jagr even have the chance to lead the team? Recently there have been rumors that he could be traded to the New York Rangers in exchange for a huge pile of cash and maybe Niklas Lidstrom or Alexei Kovalev. While Roger Marino has denied the reports, word on the street is that Howard Baldwin is the man trying to orchestrate the deal. The plan is for Baldwin to trade Jagr to the Blueshirts then use the stacks and stacks of folding green to buy out Marino and take back complete control of the team. Losing Marino would probably be a good thing, since that guy has weasel written all over him, but giving up Jagr for little more than cash would cripple the organization. Then again, life ain't no boat ride.

Sadly, a Jagr trade seems inevitable. First, he's scheduled to make about $10 million in 1999-2000. The Penguins claim they've lost around $40 million the past two seasons. Jagr's contract could be his ticket out of town. Second, without Francis around to moderate, it's doubtful Jagr will be mature enough to coexist with coach Constantine. Third, the huge cash infusion of any deal could be the only way to save the franchise from ruin. This could be a whole Wayne Gretzky-Edmonton thing all over again.

The only question that remains is when Jagr will get traded, not if. It's unlikely the team will do anything before the season starts, since tickets still have to be sold. But Jagr should be in a different sweater by the time the trade deadline rolls around.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Francis' departure creates a gaping hole in the middle. Who's going to be the top center? It doesn't look like Petr Nedved will be the answer. GM Craig Patrick seems quite content to allow the talented Czech to sit out another year, refusing to budge on contract talks and maintaining that no other clubs have made any valid trade offers. While the two sides have all but broken off talks, there was a ray of light recently when it was rumored that Nedved was going to switch agents. Maybe that would be the first step to a resolution.

Patrick's determination is admirable, but he can't allow this situation to go on much longer. Either sign Nedved or trade him. The Penguins can't afford to play another season with one of their most valuable assets sitting at home. For the time being, Nedved has signed to play with the Las Vegas Thunder of the IHL until he can make his return to the big show. Although, the Penguins own Nedved's rights until he turns 31, so the wait could be just beginning.

Stu Barnes would seem to be the next logical candidate to be the number one center. A natural pivot, Barnes skated left wing last season with Francis and Jaromir Jagr. While he's already the club's best face-off man, Barnes' small stature makes it hard to believe he'll be able to match up against the Conference's other top centers, including the likes of Eric Lindros, Alexei Yashin, Jason Allison, and Bobby Holik. At best he's a second line center.

Robert Lang was tremendous last season in a defensive role, often anchoring the checking line and doing quite the fine job. Late in the year he also got the opportunity to move to the second line and produced some points with Martin Straka and Alexei Morozov on his wings. But he's not ready for front line duty. He also needs to be re-signed as of this writing.

While the top two center spots are in question, Sean Pronger should be able to fill the third slot while the scrappy Tyler Wright returns to create trouble on the fourth line. You gotta like the Tyler Wright.

So, really, if Lang gets signed, the Pens should be pretty solid up the middle on the bottom three lines. But that top spot is still a problem. One solution could come in the form of Alexei Morozov. The Russian phenom dazzled in his rookie season with his unparalleled offensive skills and instincts. Although he played right wing last year, Morozov is an amazing stickhandler and passer that's destined to find success at center. He has the size and grit to compete, but he may not be ready to handle the defensive responsibilities that come along with the gig. It's only a matter of time, tho'. Morozov is something special.

Another potential young star in the making is 1997's first-round pick Robert Dome. The Czech winger saw spot duty last year but displayed a powerful skating stride and a nose for the net that should serve him well. He also has an absolute cannon snap shot. The promise of Morozov and Dome make that impending Jagr trade a bit easier to take.

The only other returning forwards from last season, not counting utility man Ian Moran, are Marty Straka and Robby Brown. Both players enjoyed a renaissance last season in their second stints with the team, displaying a work ethic and defensive awareness that was seldom seen during their first tours of duty. Straka has exceptional speed and established himself as one of the club's top penalty killers, dismissing the notion that he was nothing more than a talented one-way European. Likewise, Brown completely reinvented himself as a checking winger. Despite being slower than wood, "Downtown" led all Pittsburgh forwards in hits last season and never took a shift off. Brown's new substance-over-style attitude exemplifies Constantine's Penguins.

Forwards that won't return this season are Ed Olczyk, Andreas Johansson, Garry Valk, and Alex Hicks. Of the four, Hicks will be missed the most. He couldn't score to save his life, but Hicks was the type of role player the Penguins haven't had since the days of Troy Loney. It's positively stunning that Patrick didn't make the unrestricted free agent a contract offer. It's a move that could come back to haunt him, much like his now infamous Glen Murray for Olczyk deal. Patrick can live forever off the glory of the Francis and Rick Tocchet trades, but he's definitely made his share of mistakes. Anyone remember Scott Young for Bryan Fogarty? Or Bob Errey for Mike Ramsey? Add Hicks to the list.

The only new blood guaranteed of a roster spot is German Titov, who was acquired over the summer from Calgary in exchange for Ken Wregget. Titov is a solid all-around guy that can play either center or wing and chip in 20 to 25 goals. Considering the team's overall lack of depth, Titov could really fit in anywhere but will likely be used as the top left winger.

While Titov is the lone major new name, Patrick has invited Steve Maltais to camp. Maltais, 29, hasn't played in the NHL in many a year but has been tearing up the IHL the past four seasons with the Chicago Wolves, totaling 219 goals. Maltais used to play on a line with Robby Brown in Chicago and is using his former teammate's successful return to the NHL as inspiration for his own comeback venture.

DEFENSE: Rookies Could Get a Shot

Pittsburgh's blue line also took a hit this summer when "Ever Steady" Freddy Olausson returned to Anaheim. Olausson may not have been Norris material, but he was a quality defender that was instrumental in sparking the transition game. He'll be missed.

Olausson's spot in the rotation will likely be filled by veteran Bobby Dollas, who was picked up from Edmonton over the off- season. Dollas is a hard-nosed competitor that will take one for the team in order to win. He doesn't have anywhere near Olausson's offensive skills, but he should be a decent addition.

Kevin Hatcher will be back for another go. The only question is why? Hatcher has done little to impress in his two years as a Penguin. He did have 19 goals and 48 points last season, but those numbers should have been much higher. His sporadic scoring is only matched by his inconsistent physical play. With a contract in the millions, Hatcher should be the first guy out the door in any cost-cutting measures.

The true gem of the Pittsburgh defense remains Darius Kasparaitis. The coolest player in the NHL, Kasparaitis is the most fearless hitter in the game and reached folk hero status around Pittsburgh with his open-ice devastation of Eric Lindros. He'll hit anybody, anytime. And once they get up he'll hit 'em again. That's just the kind of guy he is. God bless Darius.

Kaspar's regular partner last season was Brad Werenka. Another minor-league find for Patrick, Werenka led all Pittsburgh defensemen with a +15. As long as he plays within himself and doesn't try to do too much with the puck, Werenka can be a serviceable stay-at-home defender.

Jiri Slegr and Chris Tamer are the team's third pair and each bring something unique to the table. Tamer is the squad's lone fighter capable of throwing with the league's heavyweights. For his part, Slegr is extremely strong and will drop the gloves when provoked, but his best assets are his mighty skating stride and hefty slap shot. He's capable of taking on a bigger offensive role, and might have to with Olausson no longer around.

The only other vet competing for a spot is the oft-injured Neil Wilkinson. Limited to just 34 games last season because of a recurring abdominal injury, Wilkinson can provide the club with grit and toughness when healthy. But his overall skill level isn't the greatest and could make him the victim of a numbers game if the next generation of Penguin defensemen are ready to shine.

Rookies Andrew Ferrence (5-10, 180), Michal Rozsival (6-, 195), and Pavel Skrbek (6-3, 191) are all serious candidates to make the club. I haven't seen any of them play, so I can't tell you much about 'em. But I for one just think it would be cool to have a guy named Pavel Skrbek on the team.

But that's not all. Tuomas Gronman and Sven Butenschon also remain possibilities, with Gronman a potential point man on the power play.

That's a lot of names for only seven spots. It would seem that the top six slots will be filled by Hatcher, Kasparaitis, Werenka, Slegr, Tamer, and Dollas. That leaves just one opening for the rest to fight over. Should be interesting.

GOALTENDING: Barrasso's Backup a Concern

Tommy Barrasso returned to his old self last season, carrying the team on his back for much of the campaign and earning a Vezina nomination for his stellar goaltending. A similar effort will be needed in 1998-99 if the Penguins hope to enjoy any success at all. With the lack of scoring up front, Barrasso is going to be called on to win games by himself. If he can stay healthy, which hasn't always been the case in the past, Barrasso should be up to the challenge. If he goes down, there's trouble.

Not wanting to pay starting goaltender money to a backup, the Pens shipped Wregget to Calgary during the off-season. This was a tremendous show of faith in second-year man Peter Skudra, who came from nowhere last season to solidify the goaltending picture. Skudra has remarkable reflexes and can do a split like a champ, but he has a lot of work to do on his angles. If he played any deeper in net he'd need a periscope. Patrick seems to think he can handle the gig, tho', so we'll see what happens.

Unfortunately, Skudra separated his shoulder early in training camp and could miss the first few weeks of the regular season. This would mean that rookies Jean Sebastian Aubin or Craig Hillier would have to be the number two goaltender come opening night. Pittsburgh better pray Barrasso stays healthy.

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Jagr is a dominating offensive force.

* Morozov and Dome could be future stars.

* Kasparaitis is cool as hell.

GRIEF

* Scoring up front is scarce.

* If Barrasso gets hurt, goaltending could be a problem.

* Ownership situation a complete mess and could lead to financial collapse.

* This just in, Kasparaitis injured his knee in an exhibition game and could be out several months. Yeah, that'll suck.

1998-99 OUTLOOK: This season is going to be an ugly one in the Burgh. The Penguins were scrap before Ron Francis arrived and they'll be scrap now that he's gone. Outside of Jagr, there's just no scoring up front at all. Their only hope is for Morozov and Dome to become stars this season, but that likely won't happen. Barrasso will keep them in games, but even he won't be enough to save a playoff spot. The franchise could use an overhaul, starting at the top. Until the ownership situation gets resolved, the Penguins will be doomed to failure.

PREDICTION: Fifth in the Atlantic and out of the playoffs.

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