Jim Rutherford surely realized before the Stanley Cup playoffs began in April that his roster was flawed, that while the Penguins had some individuals who made them a threat to upset any opponent, they did not have a lineup capable of winning four series.
That, of course, is what it takes to win a championship, which has been the franchise's stated objective every spring for more than a decade.
But if Rutherford somehow hadn't been aware of his team's soft spots, the New York Islanders' sweep of the Penguins in Round 1 of the playoffs certainly made the point.
Pretty emphatically.
And while that series wasn't quite as lopsided as New York's four-game victory might suggest -- it's conceivable that its entire course might have been altered had the Penguins, not the Islanders, gotten the overtime goal that ended Game 1 on Long Island -- it certainly underscored the idea that the Penguins could benefit from an infusion of speed, energy and passion.
Especially when the Islanders subsequently were swept by a team (Carolina) that was swept by a team (Boston) as the Eastern Conference playoffs progressed.
So Rutherford -- with the additional motivation of wanting to open salary-cap space -- made some significant personnel moves during the offseason, including trading Phil Kessel and Olli Maatta.
Here's a look at how the players Rutherford brought in between the end of last season and the start of this one have performed as the midpoint of the 2019-20 season approaches:
ALEX GALCHENYUK
Acquired: Trade with Arizona
Salary/contract: $4.9 million, through 2019-20
Key statistic: Two goals in 27 games, including none in the past eight
Expectations: Score 20-25 goals, add a dimension to the power play
Performance: Ugh. Or ugly. Take your pick. He's been invisible on far too many nights, and when Galchenyuk does do something to get noticed, it usually isn't anything good.
What should improve: Everything, except his work ethic.
Future with Penguins: Barring a complete reversal of his season to date, a snowball in a blast furnace has a better long-term outlook than he does here. Based on what Galchenyuk has done so far, Rutherford couldn't justify re-signing him to a deal for minimum wage plus tips.
Grade: F (Only because the scale doesn't go down to "G.")
DOMINIK KAHUN
Acquired: Trade with Chicago
Salary/contract: $925,000, through 2019-20
Key statistic: One goal and three assists in the past 11 games
Expectations: Add speed and possibly enough skill to merit a top-six role. Flirt with 20 goals.
Performance: After a miserable start, Kahun has been fairly effective in a variety of roles, up and down the lineup. He still has some untapped offensive potential.
What should improve: Offensive consistency. After getting just two points, both assists, in his first 11 games, Kahun put up seven goals and six assists in the next 13 before hitting his current dry stretch.
Future with Penguins: He's hardly an untouchable if another club would push hard to acquire him, but Kahun is the kind of guy who could have a reasonably long career if he continues to develop and remains motivated to compete at this level.
Grade: C+
JOHN MARINO:
Acquired: Trade with Edmonton
Salary/contract: $925,000, through 2020-21
Key statistics: Team-leading 46 blocked shots and ice time of more than 20 minutes in 19 of the past 22 games
Expectations: Provide some organizational depth on defense, maybe even get a little playing time in the NHL as a rookie.
Performance: He's firmly established his credentials as a top-four defenseman just a few months into his pro career and has proven capable of contributing not only in even-strength situations, but on both special teams.
What should improve: Nothing really must, but everything will, simply because Marino will gain experience that will enhance the skills, instincts and poise he has shown so far.
Future with Penguins: It's easy to see him logging 25 minutes per game a decade from now.
Grade: A-
BRANDON TANEV
Acquired: Free agency
Salary/contract: $3.5 million, through 2024-25
Key statistic: Team-high 140 hits (61 more than any other Penguins forward) and team-best 15 penalties-drawn
Expectations: Bring speed, grit and physicality. Contribute an occasional goal and be an effective penalty-killer.
Performance: Tanev has been exactly what was anticipated, providing the qualities the Penguins were seeking when they pursued him after his contract in Winnipeg expired.
What should improve: Must guard against exaggerating the impact of penalty-worthy actions by opponents or risk having referees ignore them.
Future with Penguins: Giving Tanev a six-year deal was a gamble on Rutherford's part, although that kind of commitment seemed to be necessary to assure that he'd sign here. If his body holds up, he could be a valuable piece of the personnel puzzle for the length of his contract.
Grade: B+