Nov 14, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis (9) heads up ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Pittsburgh defeated Toronto 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Pascal Dupuis – Pittsburgh Penguins Right-Wing
Looking back on the trade that brought Dupuis to Pittsburgh, knowing what we know now, any GM in the NHL would give up the assets that Ray Shero did for him, whether Marian Hossa was involved or not.
Dupuis, similar to Niskanen, was a throw-in to fill a hole left behind from what was expected to be a larger impact player on their way out of Pittsburgh. When he arrived, his duties were mainly in the bottom-six and he found himself on the fourth line during the Pens’ Stanley Cup runs.
However, with the departure of Bill Guerin and others that occupied the top-six in Pittsburgh, Dupuis had the chance to increase his role. He did so by finding himself a spot next to Sidney Crosby on the top line and he hasn’t looked back since. Dupuis, Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby have been inseparable for the better part of the last five seasons and at point led the NHL in scoring among trios.
Dupuis will go down in history as one of the all-time favorite Pittsburgh Penguins to dawn the black and gold for many fans. And, he isn’t done forging his legacy yet. Who would have predicted this kind of success back in 2008 when he was first acquired?
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