Is this season a write-off for the Pens?

When I saw Neal was out I lost all hope. This is getting ridiculous. I think we could win without Crosby (And thats saying a lot since he is my favorite player), but we really need all of the All Star Game nominees like Malkin, Staal, Neal, Letang, Fleury and others like Dupuis, Cooke, and Adams. I feel like if Crosby, Letang, and Neal out for the majority of the season, they might not make the playoffs. I mean for crying out loud the Sens are in front of us in the standing. Its just not exceptable.

They will make the playoffs mostly due to the East being s**ttacular.

If I were Ray Shero, I wouldn't do anything silly at the trade deadline in terms of unloading prospects to get one player. They're already challenged cap-wise...if PIT can find cheap scorer for next to nothing great (if Malkin is healthy would PIT roll the dice on Semin knowing he's gone after the season- there's enough structure in the dressing room to keep him on a leash...at most you give up a 3rd round pick).

Doesn't look good at this point, they will be on the bubble.

Or maybe they can do what they did to get Crosby, throw some games to get a high draft pick.

Put Crosby on long-term IR to create cap space and make some trades. That's all they can really do right now.