And while another sublime performance by the seemingly ageless Sidney Crosby couldn't stop the Penguins from missing the playoffs for a third straight year, general manager Kyle Dubas believes the worst is behind his club as it tries to navigate the tricky and often painful transition from one successful era to what he hopes is the next.

Judging solely by points accrued and end-of-year conference standings, the Pittsburgh Penguins regressed in Year 2 of Kyle Dubas’ tenure as general manager and president of hockey operations. The Penguins,