Ray Shero’s Best Moments As Pens GM

1.  Franchise Players Locked Up

#87 Sidney Crosby and #71 Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins set up their powerplay during a 2012 regular season game. Photo Credits: Gregory Shamus/NHLI/Getty Images

Dates: Crosby-July 1st, 2012 ; Malkin-June 13th, 2013

Official Contracts: Crosby, 12-years/$104.4 million;  Malkin, 8-years/$76 million

There’s no doubt that Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have been the best two players for the Pens.

They’ve combined for Three Art Ross Trophies, Eight All-Star appearances, Two Hart Trophies, Six All-Star selections, Two Ted Lindsey Awards, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Calder Trophy and a Stanley Cup.

So you can’t blame Ray Shero for locking up his two star centers.

Since Crosby’s debut with the Penguins in the 2005-2006 season, he has 665 points (238G, 427A) in 470 games and throughout his career, he is averaging 1.41 points-per-game.

If that stands, it’ll be the fourth best points-per-game average in NHL history.

That’s just his regular-season statistics.

In 82 postseason contests, Crosby has 105 points (40G, 65A and in their 2008 Stanley Cup Finals loss he tied for the most points in the playoffs.

My favorite stat about Crosby is that even after he suffered the infamous concussion during the 2010-2011 season, he still led the team in points (66) for the rest of that campaign.

When the Penguins captain was out due to injury, star center Evgeni Malkin stepped up and became the team’s leader.

Malkin was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (2nd overall); however, he didn’t play until the 2006-2007 season due to various contract issues.

But when Malkin showed up for his rookie season, he impacted immediately.

Posting 85 points in 78 games his rookie year to win the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year), Malkin has transformed into one of the NHL’s top-3 skaters.

In 495 regular-season games with the Penguins, Malkin has 625 points (240G, 383A) and in the postseason, he’s put up 97 points (36G, 61A) in 82 contests.

Not to mention he won the Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs MVP) when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

It is safe to say that Shero made his best decision by locking up his two star players, which is only going to contribute immensely towards winning another Stanley Cup.