Categories: PenguinPoop

My Next-Best Ten Penguins (Honorable Mention)

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 13: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a breather against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

As promised, here’s the follow-up to my top ten all-time Penguins post. My honorable mention list or “second ten,” so to speak, in alphabetic order.

There were some really tough choices here. So many terrific players have graced the Steel City ice surfaces over the years. Although I’m no doubt missing some, I’ve mentioned at least a few of the outliers at the end of the article.

Here goes:

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.

#############

Close but not quite a cigar? In alphabetic order: Michel Briere, Mike Bullard, Dave Burrows, Paul Gardner, Sergei Gonchar, Phil Kessel, Alex Kovalev, Chris Kunitz, Robert Lang, Lowell MacDonald, Matt Murray, Ron Schock, Jordan Staal, Ron Stackhouse and Rick Tocchet.

Special shout outs to MacDonald, a left wing whose career almost ended in the early 1970s due to severe knee injuries and a fear of flying, and Bullard, a feisty center.

After missing nearly three full seasons, MacDonald made a stunning comeback at age 31 to score 34 goals while becoming the first Penguin to win a league award (the Masterton Trophy). The following season (’73-74) the Nova Scotia native became the first Penguin to top 40 goals. As a member of the vaunted Century Line, he tallied 134 goals over a four-season stretch before a shoulder injured forced him to retire.

As for Bullard? If there’s a Rodney Dangerfield among Penguin greats, he fits the bill. He don’t get no respect, largely because he played on some of the worst clubs in franchise history. But “the Bullet” could score, topping 40 goals three times and sniping for a career-best 51 in ’83-84…20 percent of the team’s output. An amazing achievement given how bad that team was.

Rick Buker

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View Comments

Travis says:

September 14, 2022 at 12:28 pm

Rick,
I totally missed "alphabetic order" in your first sentence (my dyslexia must have kicked in), so as I started scrolling through your list I was starting to get a little angry and then boom at the bottom of the list there he was Martin Straka! I feel like he is always over looked as a Penguin great, even if you didn't find him on the score sheet he found ways to impact the game and had great "silent" leadership skills.
Mike says:

September 11, 2022 at 5:34 pm

Rick
I think you got it covered. The Pen's had some pretty good players over the years.
Totally agree with you on Bullard. No Robbie Brown?? Loved him when he played
for the Pens. Great job.
- Rick Buker says:
  
  September 12, 2022 at 7:41 pm
  
  Hey Mike,
  
  Brownie certainly could've made the outlier list. There have been so many really good players who've played for us over the years, I literally could've gone on and on.
  
  In the end, I decided to keep it shorter and (hopefully) sweeter ... :)
  
  Rick
the Other Rick says:

September 11, 2022 at 5:33 pm

Hey Rick,

Been thinking about your rankings here and the lead post, wondering, what criteria did you use? Reason I ask is I am thinking about players like Ken Schinkel who not only played for the Penguins and not only ranks in the top 39th scoring, despite playing on the expansion teams but also contributed to the team through coaching. I am also thinking about Greg Malone who ranks 16th in scoring, fathered Ryan Malone who ranks 51st in all-time Penguins scoring, and who has served as a scout. I am also thinking about Ulfie and Brooks Orpik., both serious defensive specialists. You did list Burrows who was also Defensive specialist. Ulfie's hit on Neely may have contributed more to that early Cup win more than people would think. Orpik and Scuderi made several key saves behind MAF to help win that 2001-08 Cup.

I am just thinking about how I would rate the Penguins throughout history and wondering a bout your thought process.
- Rick Buker says:
  
  September 12, 2022 at 8:16 pm
  
  Hey Other Rick,
  
  The criteria I used was total subjectivity...lol. I think I mentioned that at the start of my top-ten list. But seriously, I think in my head I factored in productivity, talent, overall game and importance to the team with a degree of longevity.
  
  I'm pretty set on my top 20. But in terms of the outlier list, truly it was a matter of where do I draw the line? Ulfie was probably an oversight. A case could certainly be made for Malone and Orpik. Players like Robbie Brown, Randy Cunneyworth, Moe Mantha and Dan Quinn could have been mentioned as well.
  
  Include a Ken Schinkel? Then what about Pascal Dupuis?
  
  Then you have shorter-term guys like John Cullen, Luc Robitaille, Petr Nedved and Sergei Zubov, who had big-time seasons but weren't around too long. (I included Briere among the outliers because he's a special case.)
  
  You see some of the issues you get into when you really open up the list. That's why I was kind of trying to keep a lid on it.
  
  Rick
- Krundle says:
  
  September 11, 2022 at 8:52 pm
  
  Hey Rick, TOR,
  Fun read! I might move some up or down a spot, but pretty much one of the better "best Penguins ever" lists I've seen. Normally I get to the fifth or sixth best Penguins player on someone's list. have a good laugh then stop reading. Like TOR I am wondering about the criteria. Does your list only consider games played with the Penguins or overall career.
  My guess from your list is that it is some sort of amalgamation of if the player didn't just stop by for a cup of coffee and career stats combined because of the likes of Hossa, Iginla and others.
  - Rick Buker says:
    
    September 12, 2022 at 8:30 pm
    
    Thanks Phil.
    
    See my response to Other Rick...lol.
    
    Rick