The Penguins find themselves in the awkward spot of having a significant number of games left this season (12, if you’re keeping track), but no true hope or purpose in them. The team isn’t going to the playoffs with a 3-9-2 stumble down the stretch confirming what was already known over the first 50 or so games.
With nothing to play for, the attention at this point naturally turns to the next page. What about the youth and giving a shot to new players? At least freshen the lineup up since the results of the games don’t matter any more.