Pittsburgh Penguins and their Would-Be Olympians
The Pittsburgh Penguins are currently on their NHL mandated five day break.
This is a break for a breaks sake, not to allow the best players in the world to compete in the most prestigious event for their sport, which could result in legendary performances, the immortalizing of icons, and exponential growth for a sport that wishes to extend it’s reach past North America and Europe.
Just a regular old break.
As you all know too well, the NHL will not be sending any athletes to the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. But let’s just imagine that this borderline treasonous act rational decision wasn’t made. If pros were going to the games, which members of the Pittsburgh Penguins would represent their country?
Team Canada
Sidney Crosby – No brainer. Sid would wear the “C” and center Team Canada’s top line. The last time Sid donned a sweater with a red leaf on it, he put up 10 points in six games at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Prior to that, he won gold with Team Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. If you remember correctly, he was the jerk who sent Team USA home with a silver medal thanks to this tomfoolery:
Kris Letang – Although his play hasn’t been up to snuff this season, Kris Letang would have made the Canadian Olympic team.
His numbers over the course of his career are too good to ignore, so the four time All-Star gets the benefit of the doubt here. It was a shock when he wasn’t listed on the roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but that omission would not repeat itself
He won gold with Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships. In his last bit of international play, he put up six points in six games. In his 644 game career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has registered 413 points.
On the bubble
Matt Murray – The Penguin’s netminder might have a shot to earn an alternate spot, or perhaps a look if someone were to be injured. However, Carey Price has a stranglehold on the starter position, and Braden Holtby is among those on the short list as the backup.
He played 2 games with Team North America at the WCoH in 2016, but didn’t impress with a .886 SV% and 3.16 GAA.
Team USA
Phil Kessel – Phil made the 2014 Olympic All-Star team for his eight point performance. So how did the USA repay him. They left him off the 2016 WCoH roster. Tisk, tisk.
Team USA wanted to build a strong, physical team in 2016. One that had a mean streak and checking capabilities to throw a more skilled team off their game. As expected, they lost three in a row and we’re promptly eliminated.
Phil’s scoring touch is not something Team USA would omit again. Since 2013-2014, Phil is fourth among all American players in scoring with 317 points. Only Patrick Kane, Blake Wheeler, and Joe Pavelski have scored more.
On the bubble
Jake Guentzel – It’s been an impressive career thus far for the young Nebraska native. His energy and goal scoring abilities could help an underskilled USA team, but he wouldn’t be seriously considered for the roster. Injuries happen, so maybe he could have had a look, but on a healthy Team USA, Guentzel doesn’t make it.
Olympic Athletes from Russia
Evgeni Malkin – Geno is score. One of the faces of Russian hockey, Malkin is a shoo-in for Team Russia, and rightfully so.
Since 2013 -2014 (the last Olympics), Malkin has registered 1.09 points per game. That’s ranked first among all Russian players in the NHL.
Malkin played at his first Olympic games in 2006 at the ripe old age of 20. Since then he has represented Mother Russia at several World Championships, winning gold medals in 2012 and 2014. He has previously played on lines with Alex Ovechkin and Ilya Kovalchuck, forming one of the most lethal lines in international play.
(Note: Russia was barred from sending athletes to the 2018 Olympics, so Malkin would have to play under a ‘neutral flag’ if he were to attend).
Team Sweden
Patric Hornqvist – The Swedish dog himself. I’d bet the mortgage he’d don the triple crowned sweater in PyeongChang. A fierce competitor, Sweden would use Hornqvist’s net front presence to compliment some of their skill guys and set up shop on the power play.
Hornqvist registered two points at the 2016 WCoH. Since the last Olympics in 2014, Hornqvist has scored 102 goals, third most among all Swedes.
Team Finland
Olli Maatta – Pittsburgh Penguins own Olli Maatta shocked the hockey world when he made the Team Finland roster in 2014. The smooth skating defenseman was only 19 years old at the time. He would go on to further shock the world when he recorded five points in six games at the tourney, helping Finland capture a bronze medal.
This breakout performance coincided with Maatta’s rookie season as a Penguin, a campaign that saw him post career highs in goals and points.
Fast forward to four years later, Maatta has grown as a player. While his production hasn’t spiked like fans had hoped, he is generally a dependable blue liner. His hockey IQ is his greatest asset, and it would earn him a spot on Finland’s roster today.
Team Germany
Tom Kuhnhackl – Ahh, did you forget about Deutschland? Well try not to, because they’re taking the ice in Pyeongchang. And Tom Kuhnhackl played a vital role in getting them there.
He actually scored the game winner in a qualifying tournament to send Germany to the 2018 Olympics. It’s a shame the rule came down that he can’t compete, but it’s still great to see he had a hand in his country’s plight for a medal.
Known as a depth guy, Kuhnhackl would likely be employed as a member of Germany’s bottom six forwards, as well as the team’s penalty kill. That’s what you can assume at least. This team would be mainly made up of pros from Europe, with only a few NHLers on the roster. So imagining their lineup is a bit of a challenge.
Kuhnhackl actually comes from hockey royalty. His father, Erich, is a member of the IIHF Hall of Fame, and was named Germany’s Ice Hockey Player of the 20th century. Woah. Erich was also a member of the last team from Germany to earn a medal at the Olympics. They earned a bronze in 1976.
Next: Letang and Crosby named All-Stars
So that does it. All in all, if the NHL were sending athletes to the 2018 Winter Olympics, we could have expected seven Pittsburgh Penguins to represent six different nations. While the Pens do have ties to the American Olympics roster, it won’t be the same as getting to see the boys play for the countries.
Hopefully the league can work something out with the powers of international hockey. The Olympics are decidedly more fun when they let these guys play.