Multiple New Penguins Can Reach 1,000 Games Played
The Pittsburgh Penguins may have a few more 1,000 game celebrations to throw during the season.
In the last couple of seasons, fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins got to see all three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang play in their 1,000th career game.
While they are the only three players to ever hit that mark entirely with the Penguins, there are a pair of new faces that are within striking distance of the milestone.
These two may not be new to Pittsburgh, but that doesn’t make the achievement any less impressive for Erik Karlsson and Lars Eller.
Karlsson was arguably the biggest move of the offseason for the NHL but the reigning Norris Trophy winner is just 80 games shy of cracking 1,000.
Sitting at 920 games, it won’t be easy, all but forcing Karlsson to stay healthy for just about every game of the season.
He did, however, play all 82 games last season while putting up 101 points.
Staying healthy hasn’t been easy for Karlsson through the course of his career; injuries have piled up over the years forcing him to average about 65 games per season.
During his time with the San Jose Sharks, whether it was through injury or a shortened season, Karlsson never surpassed 60 games in a season until 2022-23.
Keeping Karlsson healthy won’t be easy, but a landmark achievement and celebration could be waiting for him in the heat of the playoff race.
As for Eller, it may be an easier mark; he currently sits at 954 games played, just 46 games back.
Eller is also a bit steadier and consistent when it comes to staying healthy and in the lineup.
Between the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche last year, Eller actually exceeded the normal games played limit and appeared in 84 contests.
To make things even more special for Eller, if he stays healthy throughout the beginning of the season, game No. 1,000 would come against the Montreal Canadiens.
Eller wasn’t drafted by the Canadiens but he did break into the league with Montreal; the first seven games of his career came with the St. Louis Blues.
Through his six seasons with the Canadiens, he played 435 games; as a member of the Capitals he laced up the skates for 488 total games.
No matter who the player is and where they reach the milestone, playing in 1,000 games is no small feat.
Only 382 players have ever done it, and they are sure to be added to elite company.
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