Former Penguins Set to Celebrate Stanley Cup Glory This Summer

As the NHL playoffs progress, the excitement builds with a former Pittsburgh Penguin poised to lift the Stanley Cup this summer—though it remains to be seen which team will claim the coveted trophy. With only a handful of teams still in contention, the connections to Pittsburgh run deep.

The Carolina Hurricanes have surged through the postseason with an impressive 8-0 record, marking a dominant run that has them halfway to the championship. At the helm is captain Jordan Staal, a former Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, eager to return to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since his triumph in 2009. Alongside him is Mark Jankowski, contributing to the team’s playoff success.

In Las Vegas, Reilly Smith has returned to the Golden Knights after a stint with Pittsburgh, where he was traded to alleviate a cap crunch. Now at 35, his production has waned from his previous peak, yet he remains an integral part of a team vying for a second Stanley Cup. Smith has tallied 26 points in 69 regular-season games and has added two points in the playoffs thus far. Brandon Saad also carries a Pittsburgh connection as part of the Knights, although he has played a limited role with only three appearances in the postseason.

Meanwhile, Brett Kulak, the most recent former Penguin, has made significant contributions for the Colorado Avalanche, racking up five points in nine playoff games, including a crucial overtime goal to defeat Minnesota. As the playoffs continue, it’s likely that Sidney Crosby will be watching closely, hoping for his friend Nathan MacKinnon to secure his second Stanley Cup.

Turning to the Buffalo and Montreal matchup, as this article was written prior to Game 6, either Montreal will have advanced or Buffalo will have forced a Game 7 by the time you read this. Regardless of the outcome, a former Penguin will be competing in the next round. The Canadiens boast Mike Matheson, while the Sabres feature regulars Jason Zucker and Conor Timmins, with Tanner Pearson on the sidelines without playoff games. Additionally, Buffalo’s Mattias Samuelsson, son of former Penguin Ulf, adds an indirect connection to Pittsburgh.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.