This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Pittsburgh PenguinsOverall:?11 Title track: 4 Ownership: 8 Coaching: 17 Players: 13 Fan relations: 5 Affordability: 56 Stadium experience: 12 Bang for the buck:?39 Change from last year: +20The Penguins looked like also-rans last December. For a high-profile club that boasts hockeys top player in Sidney Crosby, another wasted year wasnt an option -- Pittsburgh had been knocked out of the playoffs in the first round the previous two. So coach Mike Johnston was fired and replaced by ex-Bruins boss Mike Sullivan, who promptly led the Pens to their second Stanley Cup of the Crosby era and first since 2009. Another result of those moves and the title? They also climbed 20 spots in our standings.Whats goodPristine six-year-old PPG Paints Arena for starters, which provides the third-best stadium experience in the NHL (after Nashville and Chicago, 12th overall). Crosby alone is worth the price of admission which, while not cheap, compares favorably to rivals who dont ice a future Hall of Famer. Speaking of those, 1997 Hall inductee Mario Lemieux knows how to treat his customers: Ownership gets sky-high marks (No. 8 overall), and the Penguins have better fan relations (fifth overall) than the NFLs famously friendly Green Bay Packers. The fans like their chances of repeating, too, and for good reason. Pittsburgh is the clear favorite to take the weak Eastern Conference again, and only the similarly stacked Blackhawks -- Cup champs in 2010, 13 and 15 -- are on a better Title Track (no. 4).Whats badIts hard to knock an organization that ranks in the Top 20 across six separate categories. But since we have to, affordability and bang for the buck have some room to improve. Though the Pens average ticket is more than $10 over the league average, seven NHL teams charge more (including six that havent hoisted the Cup in more than two decades). And once fans get into the building, they enjoy the least expensive beers ($5.25 for a 12-ounce brew) and sodas ($3 for the same size) in the league.Whats newJohnston left with a winning record (58-37-15), but a dismal five-game elimination to the Rangers in 2015, combined with Sullivans instant success, improved the Penguins coaching rank by an insane 80 spots (to 17th). A roster that already included prolific scorers Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel was bolstered by the in-season addition of role players Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin and Justin Schultz, helping boost players 41 places. The group returns mostly intact this season, the Pens 50th, with journeyman defenseman Ben Lovejoy the lone significant loss.Next: Anaheim Ducks?| Full rankings Cheap Cal Ripken Jersey . 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The sight of Billy Slater in the Melbourne dressing room quickly snapped the Storm out of their 2016 NRL grand final disappointment.But Slater admitted he was no closer to realising whether he would be fit for next season - or whether he had already played his last game.Melbournes Kiwi prop Jesse Bromwich said having Slater in the sheds provided a much needed silver lining following their 14-12 grand final loss to Cronulla at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.Thats probably the only positive at the moment, Bromwich told AAP.Time is ticking for 33-year-old Slater, who is hoping to overcome a shoulder complaint and resume a glittering NRL career.The next five months will be the key, hopefully I will be at 100 per cent next year, Slater said.Its hard for me to say I have two years left or I am never playing again.I am still hungry to compete.If I ever lose thaat it will be an easy decision to retire but it hasnt gone just yet.ddddddddddddCameron Munster has shone at fullback in Slaters absence but admitted he would gladly hand the No.1 jersey back to the veteran flyer.I am fairly sure Billy will be back next year, Munster said.I want him back. He is a freak of a talent - I cant wait to play alongside him.Whatever number I wear next year I will be happy to do it.Munster is expected to slot into pivot in 2017, with Storm playmaker Blake Green leaving for Manly.Munster said he would emerge next year a better player thanks to Slater.In the week before the grand final he could have just pulled up stumps but he rolled up his sleeves and helped us out with attack and defence, he said. ' ' '
