Ex-Penguins Update: Final 2022-23

With the NHL regular season at an end and the Stanley Cup Playoffs about to commence, I thought I’d take a break from the heavy stuff and post my final Ex-Pens Update.

In years past I’ve glanced at the list and thought…meh. But this season is different. As I was compiling the numbers, I was struck by how many Ex-Pens enjoyed really solid seasons. Lots of guys in the 10-20 goal range. I couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful…some of them might have really helped our cause had we kept them.

In keeping with a recent comment made by long-time PP supporter, Jorenz, about our roster being deconstructed under Ron Hextall, I once again thought I’d focus my narrative on the players who’ve left the ‘Burgh since Hexy took over as GM.

With a staggering 40 goals and 70 points, Jared McCann enjoyed a monster season for the Kraken. The decision to protect Jeff Carter over McCann ahead of the ’21 Expansion Draft and Jared’s subsequent trade to Toronto for Filip Hallander may qualify as the worst in franchise history this side of the infamous Markus Naslund–Alek Stojanov swap.

Evan Rodrigues tallied 16 goals and 39 points for the Avalanche for the bargain rate of $2 million. Frederick Gaudreau popped 19 goals and 38 points for Bill Guerin’s Wild. A steal at $1.2 million.

The Kraken’s Brandon Tanev had 16 goals and 35 points to go with a plus-21, tied for tops among Pens alum with Devils d-man John Marino.

Reborn in St. Louis, Kasperi Kapanen finished with 15 goals…eight in 23 games with the Blues.

Fleet defenseman Mike Matheson (pictured above) emerged as a star and a leader in Montreal while racking up eight goals and 34 points in only 48 games. That’s a 58-point pace over a full 82-game slate! Ugh. In hindsight, another disastrous trade by Hextall.

Rounding out the list, Sam Lafferty (27 points) resurrected his career with the Blackhawks before joining another former Pen, Zach Aston-Reese on the fourth line in Toronto. In addition to his superb defensive work, ZAR rediscovered his scoring touch to the tune of 10 goals. Cody Ceci turned in a solid, no-frills season for the Oilers.

As the old saying goes, read ’em and weep.