From Lord Stanley to missin the playoffs, what happened?

Rough is about the only word that encompasses the Pens entire season thus far. Through 300 man games lost to injury, a lack of focus, and a loss of key players in free agency, it hasn't been the season envisioned by the team that made the Cup Finals last season. The big question by all the fans is obvious: what happened from last year to this year? Sure, the team had alot of injuries, but what team doesn't? First, it starts with the off-season transactions. The Pens lost Ryan Malone, Jarkko Ruutu, and Marion Hossa; all key assets who brought so many different facets to the Pens game. Malone dug down low and in front of the net as a 3rd line center. Ruutu brought grit and determination as an enforcer on the 3rd and 4th lines as well. Hossa, an indispensible winger for Crosby and Malkin. These 3 guys alone brought more than what you think to a team that was one of the best in the league last season. Also, the talent that GM Ray Shero brought in has not performed to anyone's expectations. Ruslan Fedotenko, Miro Satan, and Petr Sykora have been nothing short of busts in terms of scoring potential. Couple that with the lack of effort shown by high-profile players such as Jordan Staal, and it all adds up to a complete lack of cohesion on this team. With Gonchar being out most of the year, the defense has faltered and the PK has fell to under 80%, pushing dead last in the league. The power play also hasn't been successful, hovering around 17% all year, also close to the bottom in the NHL. The biggest factor that has kept this skid going though is a lack of confidence. When you lose key guys to free agency, and don't pick up anything good in return, and have alot of man injuries to key players like Gonchar, you never have a team that gels. Half the lines for the year have been led by AHL players; you can never get cohesion like that. So, while this team is nearly the same ability-wise, the lack of cohesion has turned to a lack of confidence, which is why the Penguins won't, and don't deserve, to make the playoffs this year.