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The Pittsburgh Penguins joined the NHL throughout enlargement in 1967. For 57 years, followers have packed Mellon Enviornment and PPG Paints Enviornment to look at among the all-time greats put on black and gold.
Whether or not it is five-goal video games, 100-point seasons, or jersey retirement ceremonies, the Penguins have employed quite a few hockey legends of their half-century.
Who’re essentially the most well-known ones? This checklist of seven is simply the tip of the iceberg relating to the most effective ones.
7. Kris Letang (2006-Current)
Initially drafted by the Penguins within the third spherical of the 2005 Draft, Kris Letang is certainly one of three skaters to play over 1,000 video games with the franchise.
Because the highest-scoring defenseman with 742 factors in 18 seasons, he’s a three-time Stanley Cup champion who received the Invoice Masterton Trophy in 2023 for overcoming a stroke and his father’s passing in the identical season.
6. Marc-Andre Fleury (2003-2017)
Marc-Andre Fleury is the third goaltender chosen first general in NHL Draft historical past. He performed the primary 13 seasons of his profession in Pittsburgh, serving to the workforce to the Stanley Cup Remaining on 4 events, successful 3 times in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
Because of his longevity, Fleury rocketed up the Penguins milestone charts, taking part in in essentially the most video games (691), amassing essentially the most wins (341), and compiling essentially the most shutouts (44).
5. Ron Francis (1991-1998)
© Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette, 1992
Ron Francis was already a 101-point participant with the Hartford Whalers however blossomed into one of many sport’s elite playmakers throughout his eight seasons in Pittsburgh.
Along with successful the Stanley Cup in 1991 and 1992, he led the NHL twice in assists, in 1995 (48) and 1996 (92), scoring a career-high 119 factors in 1996.
Francis completed because the fifth-highest all-time scorer, thanks partly to a 1.15 points-per-game common with the Penguins from 1991 to 1998.
4. Jaromir Jagr (1990-2001)
Jaromir Jagr is without doubt one of the biggest gamers in hockey historical past and continues to be taking part in professionally at 52 in his native Czechia. Pittsburgh followers have been privileged to look at an adolescent flip into a person within the Nineties, successful two Stanley Cup rings and 5 scoring titles.
In 11 seasons, Jagr scored 439 targets and 640 assists for 1,079 factors in 806 video games, the second-best totals of any participant in Pittsburgh historical past upon his departure in 2001.
Despite the fact that his numbers have been surpassed, Jagr not too long ago returned to Pittsburgh for a jersey retirement ceremony in early 2024, permitting his profession to come back full circle. It was a very long time coming, as followers have needed to honor him for years, however the timing was by no means proper.
3. Evgeni Malkin (2006-Current)
Evgeni Malkin could not have as a lot {hardware} in his trophy case as Jagr or the 2 gamers forward of him on the checklist, however there isn’t any denying his impression on the Penguins over the previous 18 seasons.
As he approaches 1,300 factors, Malkin is on the verge of turning into solely the third participant in Penguins historical past to achieve the milestone. He is additionally only a handful of targets shy of 500, which retains him in third place because the franchise’s greatest purpose scorer.
Along with successful the Calder, Malkin additionally received MVP within the common season and Stanley Cup playoffs, making him solely the third Pittsburgh skater to realize this feat.
2. Sidney Crosby (2005-Current)
Sidney Crosby is the final participant in Penguins historical past to be drafted first general and have become one of many sport’s all-time greats. Whether or not it is successful scoring titles, Stanley Cups, or Gold Medals, Sid the Child is in a league of his personal.
Already the second-best participant to ever put on a Penguins sweater, Crosby can surpass his former boss, linemate, and roommate because the workforce’s all-time main scorer if he performs a couple of extra seasons.
Crosby’s resume will land him within the Hockey Corridor of Fame, and his iconic No. 87 will cling in PPG Paints Enviornment. As the one participant to skate in over 1,200 video games with the franchise, he solely has to attain 98 targets, 29 assists, and 127 factors to personal all of the workforce’s prime milestones.
1. Mario Lemieux (1984-1997, 2000-2006)
There are not any phrases to explain what Mario Lemieux has meant to the Penguins group and the Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
Whether or not he scored highlight-reel targets, led Stanley Cup parades, prematurely retired with accidents robbing followers of his greatness, purchased the workforce from chapter, got here again for a memorable run in his late 30s, or landed a brand new deal for PPG Paints Enviornment, his legacy in skilled sports activities is unmatched.
When he retired in 1997, the Hockey Corridor of Fame instantly inducted him, waving the three-year ready interval. Arguably one of many biggest gamers in NHL historical past, Lemieux was a savior on and off the ice and can at all times be the best and most well-known Penguins participant of all time, regardless of what number of factors or awards anybody else wins.
Related: Hockey Hall of Famers Who Played With Sidney Crosby
Related: 7 Fascinating Statistics About Sidney Crosby’s Career
