Given the uncertain state of their roster, however, that might be wishful thinking for the Penguins. In fact, the Red Wings might be better positioned for next season and beyond.
That's not to say the Pens are destined to go down again as quickly as they have gone up. They've still got Sidney Crosby under contract through 2013 and don't have to necessarily worry about losing quality assets such as Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal for quite a number of years.
But even with only about $27 million (U.S.) committed for next season and even with a new arena and new related revenue streams coming on line in two years, Pittsburgh GM Ray Shero has his work cut out if he hopes to string a couple of Cups together with the core led by Crosby.
That's where the difference between the '83 Oilers and these Pens really comes in, for they existed in completely different structural and economic universes.
The Oilers, back then, were able to follow up on their Cup loss to the Islanders largely because they were able to keep their entire roster intact for the next season and the core of the team – Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Kevin Lowe, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr – together for years after that.
The Pens might be able to do that, but it will be quite a trick if they can.
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