Ex-Penguins Update: November 2, 2023

With a bit of a lull in the Penguins’ schedule, I thought I’d check up on former black-and-golders around the league. Stats are current for games played through November 1.

A couple of surprise names are perched atop the pack. The ‘Canes Stefan Noesen and Evan Rodrigues of the Panthers each have a pair of goals and eight points thus far. Noesen, a grinding go-to-the-net forward, was never given much of a shot in the ‘Burgh (or anywhere else) despite displaying a scoring touch with the Baby Pens (14 goals in 22 games). Not to mention scoring a dirty, net-front goal in his first game with the locals before his ice time predictably fell off the table.

Don’t have to tell you about Rodrigues, a fast, versatile, play-anywhere forward who produces. What in the wide, wide world of sports was former GM Ron Hextall thinking when he neglected to re-sign E-Rod?

Both would look awfully good in a Pens uniform right about now.

As for others near the top of the expatriate heap? Jared McCann continues to score goals (five of ’em) for the Kraken. In hindsight, trading the speedy winger (for failed prospect Filip Hållander) to make room for Jeff Carter on our protected list ahead of the 2021 expansion draft rates as one of the all-time blunders in franchise history. Another Hexy special.

Detroit’s Daniel Sprong is proving last season’s breakout with the Kraken was no fluke. Like McCann, the Amsterdam native can flat-out snipe, and he’s playing a better all-around game these days.

After suffering severe abdominal muscle issues in the ‘Burgh, Arizona’s Nick Bjugstad has quietly resurrected his career with the desert dogs. The trade that brought the big fella and McCann to the Pens for Derick Brassard and Riley Sheahan back in ’19 remains one of the best in recent black-and-gold history.

Tanner Pearson, who suffered a serious hand injury with the Canucks last season, has bounced back in surprising fashion with Montreal (three goals, five points). Teammate Mike Matheson (two goals, six points) has assumed a leadership role with the Habs while logging a Kris Letang-ish 24:28 of ice time per game.

On the flip side? Jeff Petry, the player Matheson was traded for, has been a frequent healthy scratch for the Red Wings. His two assists came courtesy of our Pens of course. Trade mate Ryan Poehling has likewise entered the press-box nachos realm for the Flyers.

Two former Pens have yet to play a game due to injuries. The Canucks’ Teddy Blueger is week-to-week with a leg injury. Anaheim’s Brock McGinn is on LTIR with a lower-body malady.

In net, Casey DeSmith is holding down the fort reasonably well in Vancouver. Phenom Filip Gustavsson and venerable Marc-Andre Fleury have experienced some struggles with the Wild.

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda (or Maybe Not)

I thought I’d borrow a page from colleague Other Rick’s book and list some players I would’ve pursued over the off-season.

Yikes! Goalie Petr Mrazek aside, my would-be acquisitions have been varying degrees of disappointing, although Klim Kostin engaged noted heavyweight and ex-Pen Erik Gudbranson in a rousing slugging match.

Bottom line? Don’t hire me to be your GM…lol.