Ex-Penguins Update: One-Seventh Pole

With nothing in particular to write about, I thought it was high time to post my first ex-Penguins Update of the season.

Let’s get to it.

With seven goals and 12 points in 11 games, the player at the top of the heap comes as no great surprise. Lightning forward Jake Guentzel has been better than a point-per-game producer (1.08 PPG to be exact) since leaving the ‘Burgh back in 2024. Conclusive proof that the former third-round pick was and is no Sidney Crosby creation.

Not to heap pressure on the kids, but Ville Koivunen and Harrison Brunicke will need to go a long (loooong) way to make that trade look good. (What’s that old saying about applying lipstick to pig?)

If Jake’s performance isn’t a surprise, the No. 2 guy’s surely is. Frederick Gaudreau of the Kraken has six goals and eight points in a dozen games. Not that Freddy hasn’t had productive seasons in the past (44 points for the Wild in ’21-22). But still unexpected.

For what it’s worth, I’ve always liked Freddy and wish we would’ve re-signed him when his hitch was up. Simply put, he’s a gamer, not to mention good in the clutch.

Another surprise, just a couple notches down? Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski. The big guy’s off to jack-rabbit start with six goals in 10 games. Easy to forget he’s a former first-round pick who tallied 17 goals as an NHL rookie with the Flames.

I’ll devote the rest of my narrative to the ones who got away this summer.

Personal favorite Anthony Mantha isn’t exactly duplicating his 31-goal form from a year ago, but his three goals and five points with the Devils paces our off-season departees.

Tied with four points apiece are rearguards Ryan Shea (Oilers) and Brett Kulak (Avs). Like ‘em both. Although it really doesn’t jibe with a rebuild, wish we still had ‘em both.

I wasn’t pleased at all when Kyle Dubas sent Filip Hallander packing to the Alberta oil fields earlier this month in exchange for Spencer Stastney. However, the former has languished in Edmonton (no points, minus-2 in six games) while the latter has been a most pleasant surprise for the Pens.

Looks like I was wrong (wrong, wrong) about that one.

Sans linemates Blake Lizotte and Connor Dewar, Noel Acciari (one goal in 14 games) isn’t enjoying anywhere near the success with Philly he had with us. Absolutely nothing against “Cookie” (and everything against the Flyers), but good.

Parker Wotherspoon got off to a rocky start with Vegas (minus-6 in six games) before landing on IR. Ouch. Much as they did during the early going with us last season, Connor Clifton (Bruins) and Jack St. Ivany (Jets) are filling depth roles for their current teams.

Whodda thunk erstwhile black-and-gold heavyweight Bokondji Imama would’ve dressed for every one of Florida’s games this season? Certainly not I. Boko’s ninth in the league in hits/60 minutes.

Oh, and Stuart Skinner’s done a nice job backstopping the Jets (2.60 GAA, .911 SV%) while assuming the goaltending reins from recently traded mega-star Connor Hellebuyck.

A few random call-outs before I close.

Since departing the ‘Burgh after an abbreviated one-month stay, massive 6’7″ defenseman Vincent Desharnais figured out his game during his next stop with the Sharks. He was actually a sought-after commodity this past summer and has posted a plus-9 with his new team, the Caps.

Of course.

And God bless, Olli Maatta, who’s bounced around more than the proverbial billiard ball (or ex-teammate Ian Cole). All he does is play steady, no-frills defense wherever he lands.

Speaking of steady Eddies, what in the name of all that’s holy was Ron Hextall thinking when he traded John Marino?

In case you were wondering, Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson has been on IR all season with a hip injury.

That wraps up this edition of ex-Penguins Update. Tune into PenguinPoop for future installments.