Ex-Penguins Update: March 7, 2022

Given a bit of a lull in the schedule (not to mention between my ears) I thought it might be a good time to check in on our ex-Penguins. Stats are updated for games played through Sunday, March 6.

Although his scoring touch seems to have abandoned him (5.3 shooting percentage) the Coyotes’ Phil Kessel continues to lead the pack of expatriates in assists (28) and points (34).

On the flip side, with 21 goals Seattle’s Jared McCann has blossomed into a big-time scoring threat. The preseason trade that sent him to Toronto for Filip Hallander ain’t looking too good at this stage.

I want to call special attention to Frederick Gaudreau of the Wild. I really liked Freddy and had hoped we’d be able to retain him. Alas, his asking price of $1.2 million was a little too steep and we signed Dominik Simon instead. Gaudreau has run up eight goals and 24 points in 48 games, highly respectable totals, earning him top-six duty of late.

With 14 goals and 28 points, Conor Sheary’s proving to be a very useful player for the Capitals. Following a sluggish start, Cody Ceci’s been solid in Edmonton. Olli Maatta’s been quietly effective for the Kings (plus-13). And Erik Gudbranson is thriving in Calgary. The big guy’s a plus-12 and has five goals, 13 points while averaging over 18 minutes of ice time a game. His Corsi? A healthy 57.

Speaking of defensemen, our physical third pairing from 2018 of Ian Cole (Carolina) and Jamie Oleksiak (Seattle) are joined at the hip on our list with 13 points apiece. Likewise, last season’s role players Mark Jankowski (Buffalo), Sam Lafferty (Chicago) and Colton Sceviour (Edmonton) are tied with two goals and five points each.

Between the pipes, Matt Murray (Ottawa) was flashing his two-time Cup winning form until he was strafed in a couple of recent outings.

In an unrelated matter, the Rick Buker PenguinPoop curse is alive and well. Across the state, Alexander Nylander’s missed the Baby Pens last five games. He last played on February 23, the day I posted a complimentary article titled, What About Alex Nylander?

I can’t make this stuff up…