Like a fine Swedish brännvin (vodka), Patric Hornqvist keeps grinding on for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even as it all takes a toll, there’s no replacing him.
From one side of the crease to the other, Patric Hornqvist can simply be defined as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ very own pest. Like a fly buzzing around the room in the middle of the night, he continues to torment netminders late into his career. His abilities to stand tall and torture the opposition and his body alike, have made him a fan favorite in Pittsburgh.
This season, Hornqvist missed some ice time due to his style of play, but he still put up substantial numbers. In 52 totals games on the frozen waters, he managed to bring in 32 points (17 goals and 15 assists). He was on track to eclipse his 2019/20 numbers, but between the NHL’s layoff and his own time off, we will never know what could have been.
Much like his style of play is one of a kind, so was his ability to be flexible this season. At times, Patric found himself on Sid’s Line. Other times, he was on Geno’s, and even at times, he was mucking it up with the boys outside of the top 6. Patric Hornqvist embodies everything there is to integrate when it comes to teamwork.
Pittsburgh Penguins by the numbers: Patric Hornqvist
As you could imagine with his method of working, comes an at times, angry opposition. Before this season, however, he never logged a single second in the sin bin for fighting. He finally logged the necessary 5 minutes this season after being tackled by a Devil’s defender. That fight was small in comparison to the scrum that came against Boston later on that season. Once more, doing it all.
This once last overall pick in the NHL draft has been anything but that. Not only has he proven it time and time again, but he is still doing it with the same physicality and ability as he did back in 2005 when he was drafted.
With the playoffs up next, we will probably see him being moved around again. As the fully fit Penguins take center stage, we will likely see Hornqvist on the 3rd line. The Penguins get to keep their grinder/pesky forward until 2023, and at that time, he will be at the ripe young age of 36. Things will surely slowdown, but expect more of the same moving on after this season.