With the Penguins off for a few days and the season veering past the one-quarter pole, I thought it would be a good time for an ex-Penguins Update. Stats reflect games played through Wednesday, December 8.
The Blues’ David Perron continues to maintain what’s become an almost permanent claim to the top spot with 18 points. Alex Goligoski, a long-time favorite of founding PenguinPoop father Phil Krundle, is second on the list with 16 points, including 14 assists, the most of any of our expatriates. Nice to see “Go Go” skate for a contender again after grinding out five seasons in the desert with the Coyotes.
Speaking of Arizona, no ex-Pens Update would be complete without checking in on another old favorite, Phil Kessel. “The Thrill,” who’s been posturing for a trade, ain’t exactly filling up the net these days with only three goals in 25 games, but what the heck, he did win those two Cups with us. Ironically, the guy he was traded for, Alex Galchenyuk, is back with the ‘Yotes. He, too, is struggling.
Among the success stories? Pretty much the whole Kraken gang, or Pittsburgh West if you prefer. Jared McCann has 10 goals, tops among the former black-and-golders, including five on the power play. Linemate Brandon Tanev has eight goals and 90 hits, fifth in the league. “The Big Rig,” Jamie Oleksiak, has delivered 74 hits and 10 points…roughly a 33-point pace over a full season. Although he isn’t scoring, Riley Sheahan’s done a decent job as a checking center.
The Capitals likewise feature a quartet of former Pens. Conor Sheary paces the DC bunch with five goals and nine points. Daniel Sprong (three goals) hasn’t tickled the twine since I posted a picture of him celebrating his goal against us back on November 14. Yes, the PenguinPoop curse is alive and well. Justin Schultz has had a quiet campaign offensively. Same with Carl Hagelin, who’s still greatly valued for his speed, puck-hunting and defense.
Among the other notables? At age 35, it appears Patric Hornqvist’s hell-for-leather style may finally be catching up with him. He has just three goals for Florida and is rumored to be on the trading block. Personal favorite Frederick Gaudreau’s been solid for the Wild (10 points). Former HBKer Nick Bonino (San Jose) has awoken from his traditional early-season slumber with four goals in his past eight games.
“Sheriff” Ryan Reaves has six assists and 95 hits for the Rangers. With a Corsi of 54.3, Erik Gudbranson is fitting in well with the Flames’ puck-possession style.
Chicago’s Marc-Andre Fleury is digging out from the rubble of a rough start. Flower’s hiked his save percentage to .908 while paring his goals against average to 2.96. On the flip side of the coin, two-time Cup winner Matt Murray was waived by Ottawa and reassigned to the Belleville Senators of the AHL.
| SCORING | ||||||||||
| Player | Team | Pos | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- | Corsi | |
| David Perron | STL | LW | 20 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 12 | -1 | 55.9 | |
| Alex Goligoski | MIN | D | 22 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 49.7 | |
| Jared McCann | SEA | C | 20 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 6 | -5 | 52.1 | |
| Phil Kessel | ARI | RW | 25 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 6 | -5 | 47.9 | |
| Brandon Tanev | SEA | LW | 25 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 51.3 | |
| Derick Brassard | PHI | C | 18 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 46.6 | |
| Patric Hornqvist | FLA | RW | 25 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 9 | -3 | 56.7 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | MIN | C | 21 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 52.7 | |
| Jamie Oleksiak | SEA | D | 25 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 28 | 3 | 50.0 | |
| Conor Sheary | WSH | LW | 20 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 49.5 | |
| Tanner Pearson | VAN | LW | 27 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 0 | 53.2 | |
| Jordan Staal | CAR | C | 24 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 53.5 | |
| * Jake Muzzin | TOR | D | 27 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 8 | -1 | 50.8 | |
| Daniel Sprong | WSH | RW | 22 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 50.6 | |
| Cody Ceci | EDM | D | 20 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 2 | -3 | 48.7 | |
| Ryan Reaves | NYR | RW | 21 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 13 | 1 | 40.2 | |
| Derek Grant | ANA | C | 24 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 14 | -6 | 44.3 | |
| Carl Hagelin | WSH | LW | 26 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 5 | 51.9 | |
| Jack Johnson | COL | D | 21 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 1 | 44.8 | |
| Erik Gudbranson | CGY | D | 26 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 2 | 54.3 | |
| Nick Bonino | SJS | C | 26 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 43.3 | |
| James Neal | STL | LW | 17 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | -1 | 50.8 | |
| Justin Schultz | WSH | D | 23 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 52.6 | |
| Riley Sheahan | SEA | C | 19 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 45.1 | |
| Nick Bjugstad | MIN | C | 22 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 47.3 | |
| Carter Rowney | DET | RW | 15 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -3 | 41.1 | |
| Ian Cole | CAR | D | 24 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 6 | 56.4 | |
| Jayson Megna | COL | C | 20 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | -2 | 47.8 | |
| Oskar Sundqvist | STL | C | 11 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 44.7 | |
| Alex Galchenyuk | ARI | C | 11 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -5 | 44.4 | |
| Olli Maatta | LAK | D | 15 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | -4 | 44.8 | |
| * Calen Addison | MIN | D | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -1 | 67.1 | |
| Blake Comeau | DAL | RW | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | -1 | 48.9 | |
| Robert Bortuzzo | STL | D | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | -1 | 46.8 | |
| Scott Harrington | CBJ | D | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -4 | 35.5 | |
| Colton Sceviour | EDM | C | 15 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 19 | -5 | 46.1 | |
| Andrew Agozzino | OTT | LW | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66.7 | |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | CHI | G | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| |
| Thomas Greiss | DET | G | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| * Filip Gustavsson | OTT | G | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| Mark Jankowski | BUF | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15.0 | |
| Greg McKegg | NYR | C | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2 | 43.0 | |
| Matt Murray | OTT | G | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| GOALTENDING | ||||||||||
| Player | Team | GP | GA | SH | AVE | SV% | QS% | W-L-OT | ||
| Marc-Andre Fleury | CHI | 17 | 48 | 1 | 2.96 | .908 | .529 | 7-10-0 | ||
| Matt Murray | OTT | 6 | 19 | 0 | 3.26 | .890 | .500 | 0-5-0 | ||
| Thomas Greiss | DET | 11 | 34 | 0 | 3.34 | .899 | .455 | 5-6-0 | ||
| * Filip Gustavsson | OTT | 11 | 40 | 0 | 3.78 | .893 | .400 | 3-7-1 | ||
| Italics—Draft pick or free agent who began his NHL career with the Penguins | ||||||||||
| Asterisk—Draft pick who didn’t appear in a regular season or postseason game for the Penguins | ||||||||||
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