Ex-Penguins Update: 2020 All-Star Break

Here’s a look at how former Penguins are faring around the league at the All-Star break. Stats are updated through games played as of January 22.

The Blues’ David Perron leads the pack in goals (21), assists (28) and points (49). His success since he’s left the ‘Burgh is remarkable, considering how he struggled to score with the black and gold. With 14 goals and 37 points, Tanner Pearson is enjoying a redemptive season in Vancouver as well.

Following a slow start, Arizona’s Phil Kessel has slipped into third place with 11 goals and 31 points. “Phil the Thrill’s” tied with Edmonton’s James Neal for the worst plus/minus among the expatriates (minus-20). “Nealer” has 19 goals, including a dozen on the power play.

Nick Bonino (Nashville), Oskar Sundqvist (St. Louis), Kasperi Kapanen (Toronto) and Derek Grant (Anaheim) round out the double-figure goal scorers. Bonino leads the forwards in plus/minus (plus-16), second overall behind Colorado’s Ian Cole (plus-24). Cole trails Arizona’s Alex Goligoski by two points in the scoring race among former Pens defensemen.

Between the pipes, Marc-Andre Fleury (Vegas) has slipped behind Thomas Greiss of the Islanders in most major categories, including save percentage, goals against average and quality starts percentage. The passing of his father in late November has no doubt affected “Flower’s” play.

I’ve added a new stat to the mix…five-versus-five shot attempts differential (5v5SD). Many factors influence a player’s shot attempts differential, including offensive zone versus defensive zone starts and his team’s style of play. For example, Vegas employs a strong puck possession game. Several of their players are among the league leaders in shot attempts differential. Conversely, the Islanders play a disciplined, counter-punching style. Most of their players have negative shot differentials.

Still, it’s a key indicator of who’s driving possession and who’s not.

It’s interesting to note that most of the players Jim Rutherford’s traded or waived over the past year or so, including Grant, Kessel, Pearson, Derick Brassard, Erik Gudbranson, Olli Maatta, Stefan Noesen and Riley Sheahan have negative shot attempt differentials.

The exception? Daniel Sprong, recently recalled from the AHL by Anaheim, boasts a plus-30 differential in only eight games. All the more impressive when you compare his numbers to those of fellow Ducks Grant (-151) and Carter Rowney (-182).