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Pittsburgh Penguins
Overall: 31
Title track: 17
Ownership: 15
Coaching: 97
Players: 54
Fan relations: 13
Affordability: 61
Stadium experience: 15
Bang for the buck: 33
Change from last year: -6
Just two years ago, the Penguins were standing at a tall No. 7 in our overall rankings. It's a mark of just how high fans' expectations are that, after a ninth straight playoff appearance (a first-round loss to the Rangers in a season in which the roster was crippled by injuries), they fell another six spots to No. 31 overall. Don't cry, Pittsburgh: There's always 2009.
What's good
In spite of their growing impatience and a nearly seven-year itch, Penguins fans continue to demonstrate how much they enjoy watching Pittsburgh play. The Penguins made the top 20 among all major franchises in four categories: fan relations, stadium experience, ownership and title track. Ownership is no surprise, with much-beloved Mario Lemieux coming in at 15th. (Let's just not talk about that rumored sale, Pens fans.) And having four (four!) bobblehead giveaways at games last year helps move stadium experience and fan relations up the ladder. Only three NHL teams scored higher when fans were asked whether their team hosted frequent promotions or giveaways.
What's bad
With all that talent, Pittsburgh fans still aren't convinced their coaches are doing as well as they should (97th). And, although Penguins partisans enjoy the cheapest beer and soda in the league, their average ticket price of $73.59 is more than 11 bucks over the league average, more expensive than the prices of all but eight other teams. The roster also falls in the middle of the pack in our rankings (54th in players) despite the fact the NHL's best player suits up when the Penguins take the ice.
What's new
Although that coaching ranking -- at 97th -- seems low, it's actually up 18 spots from last year, the Penguins' biggest improvement. Last year, fans were reacting to the recent firing of Dan Bylsma who, despite compiling a 252-117-32 record and winning coach of the year and a Stanley Cup, failed to live up to the high expectations put on the Pens. In his first season, new coach Mike Johnston didn't do much better -- in fact, he did worse, ending the season with the team's lowest point total since 2005-06. But perhaps he's getting a pass from the fans because of Pittsburgh's debilitating injuries: Sidney Crosby (the aforementioned best player in the league, of course), Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and Kris Letang all missed time. That's likely why CEO David Morehouse said he never considered replacing Johnston this offseason. Crosby has been trying to lead his team back to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since they won in 2009; and this year, with former Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel joining the team, Crosby might have one of his best chances yet. If the Pens right the ship over the next eight months, it won't take long for Johnston to climb up these rankings.
Next: Minnesota Wild | Full rankings