They went from almost worst to almost first.

But what's next for these Pittsburgh Penguins, who finished 29th out of 30 teams in the NHL standings two years ago before pulling within two wins of the Stanley Cup this spring?

A busy summer, that's what.

And a critical one at that.

The Penguins' roster, young as it might be, is loaded with potential free agents.

Key contributors Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone, Pascal Dupuis and Brooks Orpik are among those who could leave town if they're not offered contracts to their liking.

The Penguins' brass will have to do some fancy maneuvering to keep this team intact.

General manager Ray Shero must find a way to stay within the salary cap while keeping the young core of this roster — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury — locked up for the long haul.

As recently as midseason this year, questions persisted as to whether Fleury would develop into the elite goaltender the Penguins thought he'd become when they made him the first draft choice overall in 2003.

Those questions were answered this season after Fleury returned from a high ankle sprain and replaced Ty Conklin — remember him? — who filled in so ably in his absence.

Now Fleury must stay. That's a given.

To watch Hossa walk away would be painful. The Penguins surrendered two forwards with high upside in Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen, not to mention a pair of No. 1 draft picks, to acquire Hossa and Dupuis and take a run at the Stanley Cup.

That run fell short, but Hossa's performance did not. Previously knocked for disappearing in the playoffs while with Ottawa and Atlanta, Hossa scored 12 goals in 20 playoff games for the Pens and provided the team with stellar two-way play at forward.

Dupuis brought more speed to the team and while you hate to mess with the chemistry in the locker room right now, the Penguins almost have to.

Malone picked the perfect year to emerge as one of the premier power forwards in the league. He demonstrated his toughness to the entire league when he bounced back from taking a slapshot in the face by sliding in front of another shot shortly thereafter.

Malone is certain to fatten his wallet. either in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.

Orpik is the team's most physical defenseman and has become seasoned to the point that he makes few mistakes along the blue line.

So what do you do?

You can't sign everybody.

Clearly, the Penguins will have to prioritize here. The biggest thing in their favor is that the current players like each other, love the city and nearly won a Stanley Cup together.

While huge contracts await some of these players elsewhere, their best chance to get their names on the Cup is right where they are now.

Hopefully, the players will prioritize as well.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.