Penguins Update: Five Fish That Got Away

Jared McCann 6’1” 185, 26 (LW/C, Seattle, GP 40, G 22, A 8, PTS 30, +3, ATOI 15:07, CAP HIT $5M)

Remember the summer of 2021 and the hand-ringing over who the Pens should be protect in the expansion draft? Deadline acquisition Carter had emerged as a goal-scoring machine, notching nine goals in 14 regular-season games and four more is six playoff games. It came down to protecting Carter or McCann, a promising if somewhat streaky scorer who flashed some chemistry with Evgeni Malkin. Hextall remedied the situation by offloading McCann and his then $2.9 million cap hit to Toronto for prospect Filip Hallander. The Maple Leafs exposed McCann in the draft and Seattle snagged him. It’s safe to say our loss (and the Leafs’) is the Kraken’s gain. Blessed with a lightning release and wicked shot, with 22 goals in 40 games (27 last season) Jared’s blossomed into a full-blown sniper.

Daniel Sprong 6’0” 200, 25 (RW, Seattle, GP 36, G 14, A 13, PTS 27, +14, ATOI 11:20, CAP HIT $750K)

Perhaps Sprong’s a little more difficult to lament since he’s been gone since 2018, but he bears mentioning all the same. Pretty much run out of town not only by Mike Sullivan in the ‘Burgh but Dallas Eakins in Anaheim and Peter Laviolette in DC, the talented but prickly winger appeared to be on his last NHL legs when he agreed to a PTO with Seattle this fall. However, under the tutelage of professorial skipper Dave Hakstol the Amsterdam native’s blossomed into a surprisingly solid all-around player for the Kraken. One thing that hasn’t changed? The kid can flat-out snipe. And he’s doing it while logging bottom-six minutes.

Brandon Tanev 6’0” 180, 31 (LW, Seattle, GP 43, G 8, A 14, PTS 22, +23, ATOI 14:36, CAP HIT $3.5M)

The player the Kraken wound up plucking from the Pens, our beloved “Turbo” has been ultra-effective in his new home. True to the form he displayed here, the ice fairly crackles whenever the speedy winger hops over the boards. Although still aggressive, he’s learned to pick his spots with his hitting and has evolved into a better all-around player as a result. Tied for 11^th in the league with a plus-23. Cap hit and contract are a bit rich for a bottom-six energy guy, but then again he’s a special player. In his own way, unique as…say…the Capitals’ Tom Wilson. While his replacement, Brock McGinn, has performed ably and at a cheaper rate, I miss the heck out Turbo and his maniacal, kamikaze forecheck. So does the team.

Evan Rodrigues 5’11” 184, 29 (F, Colorado, GP 31, G 10, A 13, PTS 23, +4, ATOI 19:22, CAP HIT $2M)

I may be in the minority here, but I was really hoping the Pens would bring Rodrigues back. In my mind, his versatility and malleability (and affordability) made him a more attractive option than either Kasperi Kapanen or Danton Heinen, but choices were made and E-Rod was the odd man out. In particular, his ability to play up and down in the lineup and in a variety of positions and roles made him valuable in my eyes. Always a strong possession player and this season is no exception (Corsi 57.61). May have helped patch the third-line crater created by Carter’s untimely fade.

Frederick Gaudreau 6’0” 179, 29 (LW/C, Minnesota, GP 42, G 11, A 9, PTS 20, +10, ATOI 15:58, CAP HIT $1.2M)

From the moment Gaudreau first skated for the Pens, there was something about him that caught my eye. Check that…I noticed him back in the 2017 Final when he scored three goals against us for Nashville. For lack of a better way to describe Freddy, he’s a gamer. Smart, heady, gritty. A winner. I so hoped we’d sign him during the summer of 2021, but Bill Guerin smartly inked the Bromont, Quebec native to a two-year deal for the Wild. Gaudreau produced, potting 14 goals and 44 points in an elevated role last season. With 11 goals at the halfway point, he’s on track for a 20-goal season. Another player who could’ve effectively filled a third-line role, and economically to boot.