Pittsburgh Penguin Milestones in 2021-22

It’s been 30 days since the New York Rangers eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins in Overtime of Game 7, Round 1.

I have gone through all 5-Stages of Grief.

1-Anger

2-Denial

3-Acceptance

4- Bargaining

5-Depression

I walked my dog, rode my bike, shot hoops and played golf, in hopes of taking my mind away from that devastating loss.  While I am not as upset as I was, I feel there is a void.  Yes, I am still watching the NHL Playoffs.  It’s just not with the same intensity or passion.

What I have noticed is how fast the Avs and TB play.  I am left to wonder if this years’ edition of the Pens could have actually skated with them for 7-games.  I suppose we will never really know for sure, eh?

To make us Penguins fans feel good, I thought I would share all the Milestones the Penguin Players, Coaches and Team accomplished in this past season.

Crosby #87 2021-2022 stats (17 Years)

Goals:31 -for the 10th time.

Assists:53 – for the 9th time.

Points:84 -for the 11th time. (24th overall in the NHL in Points this year)

Games Played:69 – for the 11th time.

#87 Career Stats

Goals: 517 = 500+ Career NHL Goals Scored to date.

Points: 1409 = 1400+ Career Points Scored to date.

#87 makes $8,700,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2025-26

Crosby is still the straw that stirs the drink in Pitts.  If the Rangers Trouba #8 doesn’t elbow Sid in the head…who knows eh?  What it does tell you is that your life can change on a dime. So Live it and Love it while you are In It.

Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Jarry #35 -2021-2022 stats (5 Years)

Wins: 34 – Career Best stats this year. (8th overall in the NHL)

Save %: .919 – for the 2nd time.  (5th overall in the NHL)

Goals Against Average:2.42 – Career Best stats this year. (6th overall in the NHL)

Shut Outs: 4 – Career Best stats this year. (5th overall in the NHL)

Games Played: 58 – Career Best stats this year.

#35 makes $3,500,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2023-24

Jarry showed up and played like the All-Star we thought he could be.  From Mid- November until Mid-March I argued that he might win the Vezina Trophy.  He played that well.  Of course, as we know he got injured just before playoffs and we all know what happens next. Championship teams are built around a strong goalie.  Heads up: I think we got one.

Guentzel #59 -2021-2022 stats (6 Years)

Goals: 40 -for the 2nd time.

Assists: 44 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 84 – Career Best Stats this year. (24th overall in the NHL)

Games Played: 76 -for the 3rd time.

#59 Career Stats

Points: 341 = 300+ Career Points Scored to date.

Games Played: 375 = 300+ Games played in his Career to date.

#59 makes $6,000,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2024-25

Guentzel had an All-Star season.   We knew he had it in him all along.  It’s just a shame the Penguins could not have had a longer Playoff run with someone playing at that level for that long.

Letang #58 -2021-2022 stats (16 Years)

Goals: 10 – for the 8th time.

Assists: 58 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 68 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 78 – for the 3rd time.

Ice Time: 25.47 – 4th overall in the NHL in Mins Played / Game.

#58 Career Stats

Assists: 506 = 500+ Career Assists Scored to date.

Points 650 = 600 + Career Assists Scored to date.

Games Played: 941 = 900+ Career Games Played to date.

#58 makes $7,250,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2022-23

Letang may have just played the best hockey of his career.  Funny, when you have something to prove, you bring out your best.  As a Penguins fan, please re-sign to a team friendly contract so we can keep some of the team together.  However, as your fan, regardless of how your Free Agency plays out, congrats #58, you earned it, and its been a great ride.

Rust #17 -2021-2022 stats (8 Years)

Goals: 24 -for the 2nd time.

Assists: 34 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 58 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 60 – for the 3rd time.

#17 Career Stats

Games Played: 424 = 400+ Career Games Played to date.

#17 makes $5,125,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2027-28

Rust leveraged a solid season into a nice long term, cap friendly contract.   We look forward to more good things from #17, in the near future.

Carter #77 –2021-2022 stats (19 Years)

400+ goals ///800+ points

Goals:19 – for the 11th time.

Assists: 26 – for the 7th time.

Points: 45 – for the 10th time

Games Played: 76 – for the 9th time.

#77 Career Stats

Goals: 418 = 400+ Career Goals Scored to date.

Points:807 = 800+ Career Points Scored to date.

Games Played: 1170 = 11000+ Career Games Played to date.

#77 makes $6,125,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2024-25

Carter is a proven NHL’er.  You know what you are going to get from a veteran like #77 night in, night out.

Rodrigues #9 –2021-2022 stats (7 Years)

Goals: 19 – Career Best Stats this year.

Assists: 24 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 43 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 82 – Career Best Stats this year.

#9 makes $700,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2022-23

Rodrigues just had his best season of his career.  Now as a Penguins fan, please re-sign to a team friendly contract so we can keep some of the team together.  However, as your fan, regardless of how your Free Agency plays out, congrats #9, you earned it.

Malkin #71 –2021-2022 stats (16 Years)

Goals: 20 – for the 13th time.

Assists: 22– for the 15th time.

Points: 42 – for the 13th time.

Games Played: 41 – for the 14th time.

#71 Career Stats

Assists: 702 = 700+ Career Assists to date.

#71 makes $9,500,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2022-23

Malkin was injured for the first half of the season, and it will take time for him to regain his MOJO.  As a Penguins fan, please re-sign to a team friendly contract so we can keep some of the team together.  However, as your fan, regardless of how your Free Agency plays out, congrats #71, you earned it, it’s been a great ride.

Heinen #43 –2021-2022 stats (7 Years)

Goals: 18 – Career Best Stats this year.

Assists: 15 – for the 4th time.

Points: 33 – for the 3rd time.

Games Played: 76 – for the 3rd time.

#43 Career Stats

Games Played: 348 = 300+ Career Games Played to date.

#43 makes $2,800,000. Per Yr – Pending Restricted Free Agent: 2022-23

Heinen had a solid season with the Pens this year.  A blue-collar player who leaves it all on the ice.  Another one of those, as a Penguins fan, please re-sign to a team friendly contract so we can keep some of the team together.  However, as your fan, regardless of how your Free Agency plays out, congrats #43 you earned it.

Kapanen #42 –2021-2022 stats (7 Years)

Goals: 11 – for the 4th time.

Assists: 21 – for the 3rd time.

Points: 32 – for the 3rd time.

Games Played: 79 – Career Best Stats this year.

#42 Career Stats

Games Played: 321 = 300+ Career Games Played to date.

#42 makes $3,200,000. Per Yr – Pending Restricted Free Agent: 2022-23

Kapanen disappointed this season.  You can see he has the All-World skills, he simply does not use them often enough.  He must re-sign a team friendly contract or it’s time to move on.

Matheson #5 -2021-2022 stats (7 Years)

Goals: 11 – Career Best Stats this year.

Assists: 20 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 31 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 74 – for the 4th time.

#5 Career Stats  

Games Played: 417 = 400+ Career Games Played to date.

#5 makes $4,875,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2026-27

Matheson had his best season as a Pro.  Another shame on the Penguins for not being able to leverage a career year into a long playoff run.

Blueger #53 –2021-2022 stats (4 Years)

Goals: 9 – for the 2nd time.

Assists: 19 – Career Best Stats this year.

Points: 28 – Career Best Stats this year.

Games Played: 65 – for the 2nd time.

#53 Career Stats

Games Played: 205 = 200+ Career Games Played to date.

#53 makes $2,200,000. Per Yr – Pending Free Agent: 2023-24

Pittsburgh Penguins (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Head Coach Mike Sullivan –2021-2022 stats (6 Years)

– Most Regular Season Wins as a Penguins Coach: 297

– Most Playoff Wins as a Penguins Coach: 44

Team Highlights

The Penguins put together a nice 10 Game Winning Streak – from Dec04.21 to Jan06.22

The Penguins Power Play was at its best in Jan 2022 where it ranked #1 in that time frame.

The Penguins Penalty Kill had killed off 40 consecutive penalties over a 15-game period.

The Penguins were in 1st Place in the Metropolitan Division for 12 hours on Jan29.2022

The Pittsburgh Penguins have made the NHL Playoffs for 16 consecutive years.

My View from the Cheap Seats

This has been a tough last 30 days with no Penguin games to watch or cheer for.  I predicted in many articles this past season, that the Penguins were battle-tested and ready for a long playoff run.

In my humble opinion, comparing and analyzing the data in My Scouting Report, I still feel the same way.

When you stop and think about losing in Overtime, in Game 7, you realize just how close the Penguins actually were, to moving on and having a nice run.

Quote of the Day:

“I have enjoyed writing about this Penguins Season from My View in the Cheap Seats and I look forward to more writing in the future.”

Marc Penner – Writer / Author / Site Expert Pens Labyrinth

My View in the Cheap Seats

Section: TV

Row: PVR

Seat: Couch