With the NHL hitting pause for the Olympics, it's a perfect time to take a look around the league and check in on some familiar faces - former Penguins who’ve moved on but are still making noise (or not) in new sweaters. From breakout performances to quiet exits, the impact of these ex-Pens is being felt in all corners of the league.
Let’s start at the top - and no surprise here - Jake Guentzel is leading the pack. Now with Tampa Bay, he’s pacing all former Penguins with 26 goals, 34 assists, and 60 points.
He’s doing exactly what he did in Pittsburgh: producing at a high level. The Lightning are reaping the benefits, and unless some of the prospects from that trade - like Harrison Brunicke or Ville Koivunen - turn into something special, this one’s looking like a loss for the Pens.
But Guentzel isn’t the only name lighting it up. John Marino, now anchoring the blue line in Utah, has quietly put together an elite season.
His plus-38 rating is no typo - it puts him among the league leaders in plus/minus. Marino's steady two-way play was always a strong suit, but this kind of impact?
That’s next level. Just ahead of him in points among ex-Pens defensemen is Mike Matheson, still doing solid work for the Canadiens with 28 points and a +14 rating.
Further down the list, you’ll find Jeff Petry, now in Florida, but his numbers have taken a steep dive. It’s hard to look at the Penguins’ 2022 defensive overhaul - led by then-GM Ron Hextall - and not question how it all played out. Ty Smith is now in the KHL, Jan Rutta’s skating in Switzerland, and the returns haven’t exactly panned out.
On the other side of the ledger, Connor Clifton has emerged as a reliable, physical presence for the Penguins’ current blue line. Conor Timmins, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in Buffalo.
As for the Egor Chinakhov-Danton Heinen swap? Let’s just say it didn’t move the needle.
Some former Penguins are thriving in unexpected ways. Jordan Staal is having a late-career resurgence in Carolina, notching 15 goals at age 37.
Drew O’Connor (now with Vancouver) and Cody Glass (in New Jersey) have chipped in 13 goals apiece. Anthony Beauvillier has found a scoring touch in Washington with 12 goals, and Teddy Blueger - back from a stint on IR - has made an immediate impact in Vancouver, tallying five goals and eight points in just 10 games.
One of the more intriguing bounce-backs belongs to Kasperi Kapanen. Once a frustrating figure in Pittsburgh, he’s carved out a solid role in Edmonton’s bottom six, putting up 12 points in 19 games.
The tools were never the issue - the speed, the shot, the size - but the consistency and decision-making always lagged behind. Credit to Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch for tapping into Kapanen’s potential and getting results.
In net, Casey DeSmith continues to be a rock-solid backup in Dallas. With a 2.37 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage, he’s giving the Stars exactly what they need in a No. 2 goalie.
And yes, that’s Matt Murray - the two-time Stanley Cup winner - trying to resurrect his career in Seattle. After a stellar AHL campaign with the Marlies last season, Murray looked poised for a comeback, but yet another injury has sidelined him since mid-November.
His 2.21 GAA and .922 save percentage in five games are a reminder of the talent still there - if he can stay healthy.
Then there’s Brandon Tanev. Once a fan favorite in Pittsburgh for his relentless energy and physicality, Tanev’s game seems to have hit a wall.
With just two assists and a -13 rating in 44 games for Utah, it’s clear his high-octane style may be catching up with him. The human torpedo might be running out of steam.
Quick Hits: Former Penguins Scoring Leaders (Select Highlights)
- Jake Guentzel (TBL) - 26 G, 34 A, 60 PTS
- Jared McCann (SEA) - 16 G, 15 A, 31 PTS
- Jason Zucker (BUF) - 15 G, 14 A, 29 PTS
- Mike Matheson (MTL) - 5 G, 23 A, 28 PTS
- John Marino (UTA) - 4 G, 24 A, 28 PTS, +38
- Jordan Staal (CAR) - 15 G, 11 A, 26 PTS
- Drew O’Connor (VAN) - 13 G, 8 A, 21 PTS
- Cody Glass (NJD) - 13 G, 6 A, 19 PTS
- Kasperi Kapanen (EDM) - 5 G, 7 A, 12 PTS (in just 19 GP)
- Teddy Blueger (VAN) - 5 G, 3 A, 8 PTS (in 10 GP)
Goaltending Notes:
- Matt Murray (SEA) - 2.21 GAA, .922 SV%, 0-2-1 record
- Casey DeSmith (DAL) - 2.37 GAA, .911 SV%, 11-4-5 record
- Alex Nedeljkovic (SJS) - 2.91 GAA, .899 SV%, 10-9-2 record
- Tristan Jarry (PIT/EDM) - 3.07 GAA, .893 SV%, 15-7-2 record
As the NHL season resumes after the Olympic break, it’s clear that the Penguins’ past is still making waves - for better or worse - across the league. From Guentzel’s elite production to Marino’s defensive dominance, and even Tanev’s decline, the ripple effects of Pittsburgh’s roster moves are on full display. And for fans keeping tabs on former favorites, it’s a reminder that while jerseys change, the stories keep unfolding.