Update for ex-penguins: a sixth pole

I’m starting my first Update on ex-penguins of the season with a quiz. To borrow a slogan from the old Lone Ranger serial, who is that masked man pictured above?

Keep reading to find the answer.

Unlike previous seasons, there isn’t much cooking going on under former pens these days as we pass the 1/6th pole. Oh, Jake Guentzel is scoring near his usual point-per-game clip for the Lightning, such as it is Mikael Granlund for the upstart Ducks.

Peppery varieties Michael Bunting (Busy), Evan Rodrigues (Panthers) and Jason Sugar (Sabres) are about on pace for 50-point seasons. But no one is really concerned with burning out of the job, due to the fact that most ex-Pens are supporting players rather than standouts. An indication of where the team has been in recent seasons.

Shifting the focus to defense, Mike Matheson of the Habs still provides offense from the backline. by John Marino off to a typically solid start for the Mammoth. I don’t know if there’s been a worse trade than the trade in recent years by Ron Hextall ill-conceived Marino-for-Ty Smith exchange. Unless it was Matheson for a blur Jeff Petrywho at the age of 37 was still plying his trade for the defending champion Panthers.

Getting back to the Mammoth, half of their defense corps is made up of former Pens, including Marino and perennial regular Eddie’s. Ian Cole And Olli Määtä. Matt Grzelcyk He doesn’t score points for the Blackhawks like he did for us, but he leads all Expats with a plus-10. Matt wasn’t a plus-46 until 2022-2023.

In the quirks and facts department, Vinnie Hinostroza (Wild) and Conor Sheary (Rangers) have earned regular big-play roles after spending most of last season in the AHL. Given the latter, this is no surprise Mike Sullivan now coaches the Blueshirts. Andreas Agozzino (Mammoth) and Jansen Harkins (Ducks) continue to see spot duty.

As for the most popular landing spots, the Canucks, Kraken and Mammoth each employ four former Pens. No surprise considering former black-and-gold executives run the show in Vancouver and Seattle.

Back to the quiz. Still baffled?

I’ll give you a hint. He is the only goaltender in NHL history to win two Stanley Cups as a rookie.

Yes. Matt Murray has resurfaced in the Pacific Northwest.

Wish him the best.

Speaking of goalkeepers, Alex Nedeljkovic doing a decent job for the Sharks after a bumpy start. I love Ned’s spirit and spirit.