Former Penguins to Watch in Stanley Cup Playoffs

There are plenty of former Pittsburgh Penguins to keep an eye on in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.

PITTSBURGH – The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are not competing for the second straight year. While the current Penguins aren’t battling for the Cup, numerous former teammates are in the fight.

From brief stints to former franchise pillars, 11 of the 16 teams in the postseason have previous ties to the Penguins.

Danton Heinen

After two seasons with the Penguins, Danton Heinen returned to the team he started his NHL career with. In his first season back with the Boston Bruins, Heinen put u- 36 points in 74 games.

Heinen has a couple of years of playoff experience with the Bruins, with 33 postseason games in Boston.

Evan Rodrigues

Since leaving the Penguins organization, Evan Rodrigues has become a solid forward option for a couple of teams. After 80 games with the Florida Panthers, Rodrigues will look to make it out of the first round for the first time in his career.

Ryan Reaves, Matt Murray

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a ton to prove in this year’s playoffs, but it’s possible neither former Penguin takes the ice.

Ryan Reaves is known for being an enforcer but may be stapled to the bench in place of young offensive talent. Matt Murray, meanwhile, hasn’t played a game all season due to an injury and only recently started getting into game action at the AHL level.

Chad Ruhwedel

The Penguins only traded away two NHL roster players at the deadline, one of them being Chad Ruhwedel. As a steady sixth or seventh defenseman, Ruhwedel has played five games with the New York Rangers.

Ruhwedel is another name that may not see much postseason action, if any, as the Rangers have a solid defensive group.

Jake Guentzel, Jordan Staal, Stefan Noesen

Many Penguins fans have quite an interest in the Carolina Hurricanes and their playoff run. Not only does their roster feature two former Cup champions with Pittsburgh, but if they make the Final, the Penguins get a first-round draft pick.

Jake Guentzel and Jordan Staal will look to get the Hurricanes over the hump and finally fight for the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.

Conor Sheary

A two-time champion with the Penguins, Conor Sheary landed a three-year deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning. With 57 games played, Sheary scored just four goals in his first season in Tampa Bay.

Robert Bortuzzo

A 13-year NHL veteran, Robert Bortuzzo started his career with the Penguins in 2011. He was traded to the New York Islanders in early December and has been a steady part of their stout defensive mindset.

Bortuzzo won the Stanley Cup in 2019 as a member of the St. Louis Blues and is looking for his second ring.

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson had a rocky time in Pittsburgh, but he went on to capture a well-deserved Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. After a brief stop with the Chicago Blackhawks, Johnson is back with the Avalanche and anchors their third defensive pairing. Johnson played 80 games during the 2023-24 season and scored three goals.

Teddy Blueger, Sam Lafferty, Ian Cole, Mark Friedman, Casey DeSmith

Here’s the big one; after all, Evgeni Malkin did rightfully quip that the Vancouver Canucks are just “Penguins West.”

Former players, coaches, and management, former members of the Penguins, can be found all over the Canucks organization. Teddy Blueger, Sam Lafferty, Ian Cole, Mark Friedman, and Casey DeSmith are all former Penguins players. Rick Tocchet, Mike Yeo, and Sergei Gonchar (also a former player) are former Penguins assistants that have taken over the Canucks coaching staff. Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin have built the Canucks in their image, and that image sees plenty of former Penguins.

Cody Ceci

For several seasons, Cody Ceci has been one of the most volatile defensemen in the NHL. His one season in Pittsburgh, however, has been among his best. 2023-24 has been another successful season for Ceci, who helped the Edmonton Oilers’ blue line with 25 points in 79 games.

Jason Zucker, Mark Jankowski

When he was with the Penguins, Jason Zucker was a huge fan favorite, and many wanted to see him stay. His trade from the Arizona Coyotes to the Nashville Predators at the trade deadline has put Zucker back in the postseason as he hunts for his first Stanley Cup.

Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets, Los Angeles Kings.

A few former Penguins are floating around playoff team's AHL affiliates, but we'll discuss them if they break the NHL roster in the postseason.

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