New winger Reilly Smith checks a lot of boxes for the Pittsburgh Penguins heading into the 2023-24 season. After an illustrious 15 year career, former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist has called it a career. A veteran of 901 NHL games, he retires a two-time Stanley Cup champion and a fan favorite for every organization he played for. Hornqvist was forced to sit out a majority of this past year after receiving a pair of concussions and is likely stepping away from the game. Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators with the final pick of the 2005 draft, Hornqvist broke into the league in 2008-09. The next season he exploded with his first and only 30-goal season. He would go one to record eight 20-goal seasons. Hornqvist arrived in Pittsburgh prior to the 2014-15 season in a trade that sent James Neal to Nashville in return. During his time in the black and gold, he reached new heights and set the tone in the locker room with his steadfast and unwavering determination and energy. He scored 264 of his 543 career points playing mostly alongside Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby. His never quit attitude, combined with his net front dominance made him one of the best line mates of Crosby's career and gave the Penguins a physical offensive element they haven't been able to replace since his departure. Hornqvist was also a critical part of the Penguins' back-to-back championships, always elevating his play in the biggest moments. He put up 22 points over those 43 postseason games between 2016 and 2017, and had 38 points over 66 playoff appearances in the black and gold. His crowning achievement came when he scored the Cup clinching goal against his former team, the Predators, in Nashville during the 2017 Cup finals. Following an extremely successful stint in Pittsburgh, the Pens traded him to Florida, where he finished out his playing career. Despite declining production, he was a clubhouse leader for the Panthers and is largely credited with instilling the hard working culture that brought them to the Stanley Cup final this summer. Even off the ice, his leadership and attitude showed up and influenced his teammates. [https://theathletic.com/4597573/2023/06/09/patric-hornqvist-panthers-role/] With his playing days behind him, it may not be long before Hornqvist finds himself working for an NHL organization, albeit in a slightly different role. He was beloved during his three seasons in Florida, and their management team is hopeful Horny will join them in a hockey operations position in the near future. "We would like to keep him in the organization. We would be thrilled to do something and I can’t thank him enough for his contribution," said Panthers general manager Bill Zito. [https://floridahockeynow.com/florida-panthers-hope-patric-hornqvist-remains-with-organization/] For now, Hornqvist is in his home country of Sweden, with his family, peacefully enjoying this new chapter of life. We wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for all of his contributions to the NHL and the Penguins. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more! Reilly Smith Brings a New Dimension to the Penguins Top-Six [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/podcasts/reilly-smith-new-dimension-pittsburgh-penguins-top-six] Penguins Take Two More Finland Prospects in Seventh Round [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-two-finland-prospects-seventh-round] Penguins Select Cooper Foster 174th Overall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-select-cooper-foster-174-overall] Penguins Select Mikhail Ilyin 142nd Overall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-select-mikhail-ilyin-142-overall] Penguins Show Interest in Flames Defenseman Noah Hanifin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-interest-calgary-flames-noah-hanifin] * undefined * undefined
