A team looking to build on last season’s early playoff exit is already focused on moving past a painful six-game elimination at the hands of a rival, with returning players determined to avoid repeating past mistakes. Fresh faces join a roster still carrying the weight of a disappointing postseason collapse, where momentum shifted dramatically in the final series. The organization’s offseason adjustments and roster changes will be closely watched as they aim to reclaim their footing after a season that fell short of expectations. With the stakes high, the question remains whether new additions and veteran leadership can turn the tide.

While this is a new year with some new faces, the Penguins certainly haven’t forgotten how last season ended, getting eliminated from postseason contention in six games by the Flyers. “I wasn’t here, ...