In keeping with my list theme, I thought I’d wrap up the summer by sharing my top ten Penguins of all-time. Purely subjective, of course.
Interesting that when I’d finished fleshing out my initial list, the word count in the lower left corner of my screen read 66 words (no kiddin’). Somehow appropriate…especially since the big guy is at the head of the class.
Stay tuned for my honorable mention list, which I’ll post tomorrow.
| 1. Mario Lemieux, Center (915 games, 690 goals, 1033 assists, 1723 points, plus-114, HHOF) For my money, Mario was the greatest hockey player ever. An unprecedented combination of size, strength, deceptive speed, vision, hockey IQ, hands, shot and playmaking skills. Name the attribute, the six-time scoring champion and three-time MVP possessed it…in spades. During his 85-goal season (!!!) in 1988-89…before he hurt his back…he was a threat to score literally every time his skates touched the ice. His comeback from Hodgkin’s Disease to win the scoring title in ’92-93 is perhaps the greatest athletic achievement of all-time. No one dominated like Mario in his prime. A man among boys. |
| 2. Sidney Crosby, Center (1108 games, 572 goals, 892 assists, 1409 points, plus-202) One of the finest two-way players ever. Remarkably detailed, diligent and consistent, Sid’s averaged better than a point-per-game in each of his 17 NHL seasons. Incredibly hard worker who leads by example. Exceptional strength and balance make him ultra-tough to knock off the puck. Amazing passer, especially in traffic. As teammate and friend Colby Armstrong so aptly noted, Sid’s the most skilled grinder the game has ever seen. Two-time MVP and scoring champion. Among a handful of captains to win three Stanley Cups. |
| 3. Jaromir Jagr, Right Wing (1733 games, 766 goals, 1155 assists, 1921 points, plus-322) An absolutely brilliant individual talent. Playing on pure instinct a la Montreal legend Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Jagr made the sublime look routine and scored goals that defied description. During Lemieux’s first retirement, the Czech native ascended to hockey’s throne, capturing five scoring titles and a Hart Trophy. His signature goal…a dazzling one-man foray through the entire Chicago team during Game 1 of the ’92 Final…was described by none other than Mario as the greatest goal he’d ever seen. |
| 4. Evgeni Malkin, Center (981 games, 444 goals, 702 assists, 1146 points, plus-59) If Crosby is a model of consistency, Malkin is like a Rachmaninoff concerto, soaring to breathtaking highs and at times disquieting lulls. During his electrifying 50-goal MVP season in ‘11-12, “Geno” was the most dominant player I’d seen since Mario. At his best in high-stakes games, the two-time Ross Trophy winner and Conn Smythe awardee has twice led the playoffs in scoring (’09, ’17). Third on the Pens’ all-time list in game-winning goals, one behind Mario. Possesses an extra level to his game that few can match. |
| 5. Ron Francis, Center (1731 games, 549 goals, 1249 assists, 1798 points, minus-18, HHOF) Francis proved that it’s possible to be the fifth leading scorer in NHL history and yet still be underrated. He wasn’t the fastest or most gifted player, but few if any thought the game better than “Ronnie Franchise.” He combined smarts and an incredible work ethic with an uncanny knack for arriving at the right place at just the right time. A complete player, Francis was excellent defensively and on draws and superb in the clutch. Just a consummate pro. |
| 6. Larry Murphy, Defense (1615 games, 288 goals, 929 assists, 1217 points, plus-197, HHOF) Remarkably cool and poised, Murphy was the ultimate thinking man’s defenseman. Controlled the flow of a game like few others could with a subtle shift in speed or an artful pass. Although not a banger, he was an effective defender who relied on an educated stick and sound positioning to get ‘er done. Along with fellow No. 55, Sergei Gonchar, the best I’ve ever seen at keeping the play alive at the point. Originator of “the Murphy Dump.” |
| 7. Kevin Stevens, Left Wing (874 games, 329 goals, 397 assists, 726 points, minus-103) For a four-season stretch in the early ‘90s, Stevens was the preeminent power forward in the NHL. Topped 50 goals twice and 40 on two other occasions. A veritable freight-train on skates, big “Artie” was fast, powerful and confident, not to mention a boisterous and beloved presence in the locker room. In many ways, the heart and soul of two Stanley Cup champions. We’re left to wonder what might have been had Kevin not suffered a gruesome facial injury against the Islanders in the 1993 playoffs. |
| 8. Jean Pronovost, Right Wing (998 games, 391 goals, 383 assists, 774 points, plus-49) The kid brother of Hall-of-Fame defenseman Marcel Pronovost, Jean cut his professional hockey teeth in the Bruins’ system, where he learned the value of two-way play. An honest, industrious player with a huge upside, “Prony” shook off the tragic death of his close friend and linemate Michel Briere to gradually develop into a big-time scorer with the then blue-and-white. He was the first Penguin to score 30 goals in a season (in ’71-72) and the first to score 50 (in ’75-76). A member in good standing of the team’s prolific Century Line. |
| 9. Mark Recchi, Right Wing (1652 games, 577 goals, 956 assists, 1533 points, even, HHOF) The ultimate overachiever. The fourth-round pick quickly found his niche in the Steel City, tallying 30 goals as a rookie before embarking on a four-season run of 40 goals or better, including 53 in ’92-93 with the Flyers. Feisty scrambler absorbed a beating from bigger players, especially during the playoffs, but kept coming back for more. Still remember “the Recchin’ Ball’s” signature style of almost running on his skates before releasing his sizzling wrist shot, often while perched on the “wrong” foot. |
| 10. Paul Coffey, Defense (1409 games, 396 goals, 1135 assists, 1531 points, plus-298, HHOF) An explosive skater who could accelerate to top speed in a few strides, Coffey averaged over 100 points per season during an incredible three-year span with the Pens. Operating much like an old-time rover thanks to his wheels, pinpoint passing and superb offensive instincts, the three-time Norris Trophy winner helped Lemieux reach the very pinnacle of his abilities. Had Paul’s defensive play not been wanting (minus-50 during his stay in the ‘Burgh) he would’ve rated higher. |
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Well he didn't spend a ton of time in Pittsburgh it's hard to leave Alexi Kovalev off of this list! Kris Letang also
Hey Rick
• I may not put them in exactly the same order as you have but I can’t argue with your choices.
• I can’t help but wonder what Artie would have achieved if he had never been injured.
• I was never a fan of losing Recchi.
• Nor was a behind losing Coffey. Coffey may not have been all that strong defensively during the regular season, but I remember seeing him making some great defensive plays in the post season. Like all great players he saved his best performances when the stage was it largest.
• Pronovost is one of my all-time favorites. He wasn’t a generational talent like Mario, Jags, Sid or Geno but he was great.
• Mike – Kehoe was certainly one of this teams most prolific scorers and labored on some really bad teams. It really would have been interesting to have seen him skate with Mario, particularly at the beginning of Mario’s career, when the big guy had no real wingers. Both of them would have benefitted from that circumstance.
• Interesting that you didn’t list any Goalies in your top 10 but then again goalies often get overlooked and in truth, there may have been Penguin goalies I have liked but there our Pens weren’t blessed with many stellar Goalies. MAF may have been the only one who could truly be considered in that upper echelon.
I will be interested in seeing your honorable mention list. I expect to see Mike’s pick, Kehoe on that list. There will probably be more room for me to argue with you.
Rick
Great list. If I had to pick one player that could possibly make the list it would probably be
Rick Kehoe who never really had the opportunity to play with the likes of a Lemieux or
Crosby. Kehoe scored 55 goals during the 1980-81 season and the Pen's roster is less than
imposing to say the least. Agree on Lemieux he has to be #1 - he played during an era where
he had to fight thru players hanging all over him and nothing called - no tick tack penalties
for holding, slashing, hooking - Could you see trying to stop him in todays game "not happening"