Mark Madden: How many of the Penguins' problems can be corrected?

Going into the season, there were a few things that could possibly go wrong for the Penguins. Right now, lots of them are:

• They’re defensively vulnerable in every way possible. That’s because the Penguins play loose, and not necessarily to be blamed on their defensemen.

• Their physicality is weak, as is their presence at both net fronts.

• Their goaltending is average at best.

• Offensively, they get easily and willingly pushed to the perimeter.

• The power play absolutely stinks. Zero traffic in front, ever.

• Their bottom six is ineffective and unproductive.

• They look old. They fade during games.

• They’re not as fast as they think they are.

Here’s an unexpected development: Erik Karlsson has had flashes, but he’s not made major impact beyond that.

Karlsson isn’t playing like last season’s Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman. He’s not greatly influenced the power play, perhaps because he’s been shoehorned into last campaign’s same old failing formula. (God, I hate that power play.)

The Penguins aren’t scoring much, either: Just 17 goals in six games, just three in their last two. But that’s one thing that will certainly correct itself. Unless it doesn’t.

The Penguins are going to stick to their method and core until they implode. That was decided years ago. The only thing in question is when it happens.

Will that be tolerated by new GM/president of hockey ops Kyle Dubas? Will ownership let him make major changes if they’re needed?

But it’s too early to consider that. It’s more appropriate to ponder how many of the above problems can be corrected. The Penguins might not have the personnel or the personality to solve many.

You can cite an adjustment period needed after offseason changes made. But every team goes through that. Boston lost its top two centers in Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, didn’t replace them, seemed poised to tumble, but started 6-0.

Winger Jake Guentzel was pragmatic after Tuesday’s 4-1 home loss to Dallas: “I’m not doing my job.”

Guentzel is tied for the team lead in points with seven, so most of his teammates are performing worse in the workplace. But it’s good to hear somebody verbalize personal accountability, not least a usual standout.

Mario Lemieux did that. He’d get five points in a 9-6 loss, then say, “I make the most money, so I’ve got to do more.” It got his teammates behind him.

Bryan Rust couldn’t do much more. He scored against Dallas, giving him a team-most five goals in six games. Rust plays a focused, simple, uncomplicated game. His teammates could learn from him, not least the invisible Rickard Rakell. Rust doesn’t belong on the power play. But he might help the power play.

The Penguins faded, as mentioned above, in losing to the Stars. Great first period, 1-0 lead, 18-9 edge in shots, should have led by more. Then came the decline.

It certainly doesn’t get easier for the Penguins. Colorado visits PPG Paints Arena on Thursday. The Avalanche are 6-0 and fresh off putting seven pucks behind New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season.

The season has barely started. But an older team isn’t a good bet to get hot in March and April and make up significant ground in the standings.

For the Penguins, it could get late early.