from Michael Traikos of tghe National Post,

The last time anyone checked, Sid the (32-year-old) Kid was still looking mighty youthful, having scored 100 points and finishing a personal-best fourth in the Selke Trophy voting this past season.

If that’s a sign of ageing or a window closing, then Crosby should start marketing whatever bottled water he drinks.

But the window is still closing. Maybe not on Crosby, who would surprise no one if he were to win a third Hart Trophy this season. But it certainly is for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are nobody’s pick to win the Stanley Cup — much less make the playoffs after getting swept in the first round last year...

The tide is changing in the NHL. Dynastic teams, such as the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angles Kings, who account for eight of the past 11 Stanley Cups, are no longer skating around with a bullseye on their backs.

They’re not the teams to beat. Rather, they seem beat-up and old, with bloated salaries and cap issues that are acting as anchors. Crosby and others are optimistic that there is plenty of gas in the tank and they can rebound and win again. But it could be that a re-tool or rebuild is more realistic for long-term success.

“Obviously, not making the playoffs is never fun,” said Chicago’s Patrick Kane. “But we’re pushing ourselves to be better. I think our team’s going to be better. On paper, it’s going to be better. We feel good about the team. Now it’s just about putting it together.”

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