My Next-Best Ten Penguins (Honorable Mention)

Syl Apps Jr., Center (727 games, 183 goals, 423 assists, 606 points, plus-36)

Scion of a Hall-of-Famer, Apps shared more than his father’s famous name. He inherited his dad’s supreme playmaking ability as well. Following his arrival in a 1971 trade with the Rangers, the smooth-skating center quickly emerged as the Pens’ first bona fide scoring star. Centering the high-powered Century Line, “Sly Syl” piled up 468 points over six seasons…an average of 76 points a season.

Tom Barrasso, Goalie (777 games, 3.24 goals against average, .892 save percentage, 38 shutouts)

You simply don’t win Stanley Cups unless you’re strong down the middle. In the late 1980s goaltending was the Pens’ glaring Achilles heel…until Barrasso arrived in a big trade with Buffalo. Extremely confident in his abilities, the former Calder Trophy winner settled down following a bumpy first couple of seasons in the ‘Burgh to provide the black and gold with a steadying presence between the pipes. Like all greats, Barrasso literally “saved” his best work for the postseason. Although prickly and abrasive with outsiders, his teammates loved him.

Randy Carlyle, Defense (1055 games, 148 goals, 499 assists, 647 points, minus-137)

Following two nondescript seasons with Toronto, Carlyle arrived in Pittsburgh via trade as somewhat of an unknown quantity. The Pens were in for a most pleasant surprise. Following two decent seasons, “Kitty’s” game took off in ’80-81. Quarterbacking the Pens’ lethal power play, he piled up 16 goals and 83 points to win the Norris Trophy…the only defenseman in black-and-gold history to do so. Totaled 42 goals and 214 points over a three-season run.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Goalie (939 games, 2.57 goals against average, .913 save percentage, 71 shutouts)

It can be argued the Pens’ transformation from doormats to Cup contender began when Craig Patrick traded up in the 2003 Entry Draft to snag Fleury with the No. 1 overall pick. Simply put, the most spectacularly athletic goaltender the game has ever seen. Indeed, “Flower’s” a virtual human highlight reel between the pipes thanks to his Gumby-esque flexibility and lightning reflexes. However, like Steelers great Terry Bradshaw, his road to maturity was pitted with potholes and ruts. In the end, Fleury fulfilled his enormous promise and evolved into a Vezina Trophy winner. IMHO we don’t survive the Washington series in ’17 without No. 29 in goal.

Jake Guentzel, Left Wing (375 games, 161 goals, 180 assists, 341 points, plus-42)

The most incredible third-round steal this side of Kris Letang. Has come out of nowhere (or the University of Nebraska-Omaha to be more exact) to develop into an extraordinary hockey player. Smart, crafty and gritty and possessing an uncanny nose for the net, not to mention a magic wand for a stick, he’s blended seamlessly with reigning black-and-gold superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. A two-time 40-goal man during the regular season, Jake’s been money in the postseason as well with 34 goals in only 58 games. His courageous comeback from a severe shoulder injury and refusal to comprise his competitive style says a lot about his character. A future top-tenner for sure.

Rick Kehoe, Right Wing (906 games, 371 goals, 396 assists, 767 points, minus-76)

A model of consistency, Kehoe never scored less than 27 goals during a nine-season run for some decidedly mediocre teams. Nicknamed “Chico” for his resemblance to Chico and the Man actor Freddie Prinze, the mustachioed sniper topped out at 55 goals in ’80-81 to garner the Lady Byng Trophy. Reached the 30-goal plateau on five other occasions, four times for the Pens. Our all-time leading point getter until surpassed by a guy named Mario.

Pierre Larouche, Center (812 games, 395 goals, 427 assists, 822 points, minus-29)

Cocky, brash and oh-so-good. For an all-too-brief time Larouche was the darling of Steel City hockey fans, not to mention the team’s first superstar. Indeed, when “Lucky Pierre” struck for 53 goals and 111 points, fifth-best in the league at age 20, his future seemed as boundless as the summer sky. Never a bastion of back checking or discipline, the wunderkind soon ran afoul of the Pens’ old-school brass, eventually forcing a trade to Montreal. Pierre nearly became the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season for three different teams.

Kris Letang, Defense (941 games, 144 goals, 506 assists, 650 points, plus-100)

While Patrick no doubt hoped for good things from Letang when he selected the mobile defenseman in the third round of the 2005 draft, it’s doubtful he could’ve foreseen the player No. 58 would become. Combining skill, speed and an offensive bent with a passionate edge, “Tanger’s” the Pens’ premier defenseman of the 2000s. Thanks to his exceptional conditioning and durability, he averages over 24 minutes a game and never seems to tire. Prone to mental lapses in the past, the quicksilver defender enjoyed arguably his finest season in ’21-22 while displaying a new level of maturity.

Joey Mullen, Right Wing (1062 games, 502 goals, 561 assists, 1063 points, plus-167, HHOF)

Having developed his game playing roller hockey on the mean streets of Hell’s Kitchen (Manhattan), Mullen was far from a classic skater. But his choppy stride served him well. Playing a driving, twisting style that earned him the nickname “Slippery Rock Joe,” Mullen slithered through openings and torched unsuspecting goalies from all angles. Exploded for back-to-back four-goal games in December 1991. Like Ron Francis, smart, positionally sound despite his scrambling style and defensively responsible.

Martin Straka, Left Wing (954 games, 257 goals, 460 assists, 717 points, plus-67)

Nicknamed the “Energizer Bunny” for adrenalin-pumping style of play, Straka struck for 30 goals in his second NHL campaign before a trade to Ottawa and subsequent decline threatened to turn him into a vagabond at an early age. Rescued from the scrap heap and given a second chance in the ‘Burgh, Marty thrived, racking up 83- and 95-point seasons. Struck for a hat trick against New Jersey in the ’99 playoffs to key a huge upset of the heavily favored Devils.