Hal Gill – Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman (2007-2009)
Expectations weren’t very high for Gill when it was announced the Pens had acquired him in exchange for two draft picks. But, what the team expected vs. what they actually received were two completely different things.
Gill was far from a superstar throughout his career and during his time in Pittsburgh. But, he and Rob Scuderi played very well together to for the Penguins during their Stanley Cup run in 2009 and were often deployed against the opponents’ top offensive units. When looking at the underlying numbers during that season, the Pens also boasted their highest save percentage while these two were on the ice. Does that mean they looked good because of Marc-Andre Fleury? Well, maybe. But it could also mean that they kept the opponents to low-danger scoring areas.
Gill played six more seasons in the NHL after leaving Pittsburgh following their Stanley Cup Championship in 2009.
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