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Sport Penguins extend offer to Matt Murray, let Dominik Simon hit free agency

21:36  05 october  2020
21:36  05 october  2020 Source:   msn.com

Free-agent focus: Who stays, who goes for Blackhawks?

Free-agent focus: Who stays, who goes for Blackhawks? Chicago has several notable young players in need of new deals as well as a long-term veteran who is hoping to stick around a little longer. © Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Can the Blackhawks find their way to a deal to keep Corey Crawford around or will he leave after 17 years with the organization? Key Restricted Free AgentsF Dominik Kubalik – No one really knew what to expect from the 25-year-old entering his first season but even the most optimistic of guesses likely wouldn’t have had Kubalik getting 30 goals or finishing third in Calder Trophy voting.

While a buyout of Jack Johnson will steal the headlines, the Pittsburgh Penguins also announced which restricted free agents have received qualifying offers. Pontus Aberg, Anthony Angello, Sam Lafferty, Sam Miletic and Matt Murray have all received offers and will be restricted free agents.

a hockey game in the snow: Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray

Graham Knott, John Nyberg and most notably, Dominik Simon, have not been given qualifying offers and will become unrestricted free agents on Friday.

Free-agent focus: Who stays, who goes for Blue Jackets?

Free-agent focus: Who stays, who goes for Blue Jackets? While the Columbus Blue Jackets have no UFA’s of note, they still have their work cut out for them with a laundry list of RFA’s, including several core players. © Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports Getting Dubois, 22, locked up long-term is the core objective of the Blue Jackets’ off-season. Key Restricted Free AgentsF Pierre-Luc Dubois – Getting Dubois, 22, locked up long-term is the core objective of the Blue Jackets’ off-season. Over the three seasons of his entry-level contract, Dubois totaled 158 points in 234 games, including a 61-point campaign in 2018-19 and a 57-point pace this season.

Though there was some speculation that the team could leave Murray unqualified, it never did seem very likely. The goaltender’s qualifying offer was for $3.75M, a big number for a team looking to free up cap space and retool the roster. The Penguins seem determined to make Tristan Jarry the starter next season, with Murray being all but traded already by GM Jim Rutherford. Even at $3.75M he could still draw plenty of trade interest given his history of success — two Stanley Cup championships before your rookie status runs out will do that.

Simon though will come as a surprise to some (though his situation was reported on over the weekend by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) as he hits free agency despite what would have been an inexpensive qualifying offer. The reason the Penguins couldn’t afford to give him one is the risk of arbitration, where Simon likely would have received a cap hit the team deemed too high.

Sami Vatanen, Trevor Van Riemsdyk expected to test free agency

Sami Vatanen, Trevor Van Riemsdyk expected to test free agency Hurricanes defensemen Sami Vatanen and Trevor van Riemsdyk are expected to test free agency when the market opens up on Friday, per general manager Don Waddell."We’ve made it real clear that we’d like both guys, but we also understand that we’re under a little bit more of a scrutiny with our salary cap.  So if they go out to the market, whatever the market will bear, it might be something that if they do come back to us that we can talk about.


Gallery: The 25 best NHL duos of all time (Pro Hockey Rumors)

  • Slide 1 of 26: From Hall of Fame linemates, to great 1-2 punches, to defense pairings that shut teams down we take a look at the 25 best duos in NHL history. These duos do not necessarily need to be players that played on the same line, but just notable duos that carried teams and made a constant impact. Or, most specifically, duos that define a team. Lemieux and Jagr. Gretzky and Messier. Hull and Oates. Savard and Robinson. We take a look at all of them.
    1/26 SLIDES © Charles LeClaire/USA Today Images

    The 25 best NHL duos of all time

    From Hall of Fame linemates, to great 1-2 punches, to defense pairings that shut teams down we take a look at the 25 best duos in NHL history. These duos do not necessarily need to be players that played on the same line, but just notable duos that carried teams and made a constant impact. Or, most specifically, duos that define a team. Lemieux and Jagr. Gretzky and Messier. Hull and Oates. Savard and Robinson. We take a look at all of them.
  • Slide 2 of 26: Gretzky and Jari Kurri were the linemates, but it Gretzky and Messier were the foundation of the team and the duo that is synonymous with Edmonton's glory days. Gretzky and Messier combined to win four Stanley Cups in the 1980s and were the focal points of one of the NHL's most dominant dynasties. They defined an entire era of NHL hockey and put up some of the most obscene offensive numbers ever. A truly dominant 1-2 punch.
    2/26 SLIDES © Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images

    Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier (Edmonton Oilers)

    Gretzky and Jari Kurri were the linemates, but it Gretzky and Messier were the foundation of the team and the duo that is synonymous with Edmonton's glory days. Gretzky and Messier combined to win four Stanley Cups in the 1980s and were the focal points of one of the NHL's most dominant dynasties. They defined an entire era of NHL hockey and put up some of the most obscene offensive numbers ever. A truly dominant 1-2 punch.
  • Slide 3 of 26: When these two were teamed up together on the ice there was nobody that could consistently stop them. Arguably two of the 10 best players to ever play in the NHL, they were not only on the same team, but also regularly on the same line. They made magic happen when they were both going at the best. They won two Stanley Cups together in Pittsburgh and combined for four MVP awards and 11 scoring titles.
    3/26 SLIDES © Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images, USATI

    Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr (Pittsburgh Penguins)

    When these two were teamed up together on the ice there was nobody that could consistently stop them. Arguably two of the 10 best players to ever play in the NHL, they were not only on the same team, but also regularly on the same line. They made magic happen when they were both going at the best. They won two Stanley Cups together in Pittsburgh and combined for four MVP awards and 11 scoring titles.
  • Slide 4 of 26: They may have played different positions (Esposito a forward and Orr a defenseman) but these might be the first two names that come to mind when you think of the Boston Bruins. They were the two most dominant offensive players of their era as they combined to win seven consecutive scoring titles between 1968 and 1975. In five of those seasons they finished first and second in the scoring race. They finished first and third in one of the others. The Bruins won two Stanley Cups during their time together, while Orr remains one of the most game-changing players in league history for the way he helped revolutionize the defense position. He was a consistent 100-point threat and scoring champion contender as a defenseman, something that was -- and still is -- almost unheard of in the NHL.
    4/26 SLIDES © Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire

    Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito (Boston Bruins)

    They may have played different positions (Esposito a forward and Orr a defenseman) but these might be the first two names that come to mind when you think of the Boston Bruins. They were the two most dominant offensive players of their era as they combined to win seven consecutive scoring titles between 1968 and 1975. In five of those seasons they finished first and second in the scoring race. They finished first and third in one of the others. The Bruins won two Stanley Cups during their time together, while Orr remains one of the most game-changing players in league history for the way he helped revolutionize the defense position. He was a consistent 100-point threat and scoring champion contender as a defenseman, something that was -- and still is -- almost unheard of in the NHL.
  • Slide 5 of 26: Beginning in 1946 these two were the foundation of the Detroit Red Wings organization and formed one of the most dominant -- and toughest -- duos of the Original Six era. During their time together in Detroit they led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups and were two-thirds of the team's famed
    5/26 SLIDES © Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images

    Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier (New York Islanders)

    The duo that helped lead the New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cup titles in the early 1980s. Trottier was the all-around foundation of the team, while Bossy was one of the most pure goal scorers to ever play in the league. He scored 50 goals in each of his first nine seasons in the league (including five 60-goal seasons). That run came to an end in his 10th -- and final -- NHL season when he "only" scored 38 goals in 63 games. That would have been a 50-goal pace over 82 games.
  • Slide 6 of 26: The duo that helped lead the New York Islanders to four consecutive Stanley Cup titles in the early 1980s. Trottier was the all-around foundation of the team, while Bossy was one of the most pure goal scorers to ever play in the league. He scored 50 goals in each of his first nine seasons in the league (including five 60-goal seasons). That run came to an end in his 10th -- and final -- NHL season when he
    6/26 SLIDES © Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire

    Serge Savard and Larry Robinson (Montreal Canadiens)

    Simply the best and most dominant defense pairing in the NHL during the 1970s. Together with Guy Lapointe they helped form Montreal's famed "Big Three" on defense that shut down the rest of the league, powering the Canadiens to five Stanley Cups between 1972 and 1980. Robinson went on to have the best career of the three, but all of them were dominant in their own way. When you put two of them together (Robinson and Savard) the rest of the league did not have a chance.
  • Slide 7 of 26: Simply the best and most dominant defense pairing in the NHL during the 1970s. Together with Guy Lapointe they helped form Montreal's famed
    7/26 SLIDES © Getty Images

    Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins)

    The best duo of the salary cap era. From the time Malkin arrived in Pittsburgh (one year after Crosby's debut) they helped the Penguins become one of the league's elite teams. Starting with the 2006-07 season (Malkin's first), the Penguins have more regular season and playoff games than any team in the league, been to four Stanley Cup finals (also the most in the league) and won three Stanley Cups (tied for the most). Along with that Crosby and Malkin are second and third in the league in regular season points, and first and second in postseason scoring.
  • Slide 8 of 26: The best duo of the salary cap era. From the time Malkin arrived in Pittsburgh (one year after Crosby's debut) they helped the Penguins become one of the league's elite teams. Starting with the 2006-07 season (Malkin's first), the Penguins have more regular season and playoff games than any team in the league, been to four Stanley Cup finals (also the most in the league) and won three Stanley Cups (tied for the most). Along with that Crosby and Malkin are second and third in the league in regular season points, and first and second in postseason scoring.
    8/26 SLIDES © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

    Stan Mikita and Bobby Hull (Chicago Blackhawks)

    Not only a dominant duo for the Blackhawks, producing a Stanley Cup championship together during the 1960-61 season, they were also game-changers. Mikita popularized the curved blade (something Hull also did) which eventually caused the league to limit how much curve a blade could have because it gave them such an advantage. Mikita was also one of the first players in league history to wear a helmet on the ice. Along with their Stanley Cup, the duo also combined to win three MVP awards and seven scoring titles, including a combined five in a row at one point.
  • Slide 9 of 26: Not only a dominant duo for the Blackhawks, producing a Stanley Cup championship together during the 1960-61 season, they were also game-changers. Mikita popularized the curved blade (something Hull also did) which eventually caused the league to limit how much curve a blade could have because it gave them such an advantage. Mikita was also one of the first players in league history to wear a helmet on the ice. Along with their Stanley Cup, the duo also combined to win three MVP awards and seven scoring titles, including a combined five in a row at one point.
    9/26 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

    Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov (Detroit Red Wings)

    Yzerman was always the face of the Red Wings and the most prominent player, but they were both among the best two-way players in the league. They helped bring there Stanley Cups to Detroit, while combining for three Selke Trophies (best defensive forward), two Lester B. Pearson Awards (best player as voted by the players), and a Conn Smythe Trophy. They were not only two of the most gifted offensive players in the league, they were also both outstanding defensive players. The total package, and the foundation of a mini-dynasty in the late 1990s.
  • Slide 10 of 26: Yzerman was always the face of the Red Wings and the most prominent player, but they were both among the best two-way players in the league. They helped bring there Stanley Cups to Detroit, while combining for three Selke Trophies (best defensive forward), two Lester B. Pearson Awards (best player as voted by the players), and a Conn Smythe Trophy. They were not only two of the most gifted offensive players in the league, they were also both outstanding defensive players. The total package, and the foundation of a mini-dynasty in the late 1990s.
    10/26 SLIDES © Tony Ding/Icon Sportswire

    Maurice and Henri Richard (Montreal Canadiens)

    One of the most famous brother duos in league history, the Richard's only spent five years playing together in the NHL but they made the most out of that time by, quite literally, winning the Stanley Cup every season. They were at very different points of their careers when they finally got the opportunity to play together (Henri was just starting; Maurice was at the twilight) but they still were key contributors to one of the NHL's all-time great dynasties.
  • Slide 11 of 26: Just two magnificent all-around players, and the cornerstones of an Avalanche team that won two Stanley Cups and was a constant championship contender during the mid 1990s and early 2000s. For the decade between 1994 and 2004, they were two of the top-five regular season point producers in the league and the top-two postseason point producers.
    11/26 SLIDES © Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images/NHLI

    Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer (New Jersey Devils)

    Throughout most of the 1990s and early 2000s the Devils were the most tenacious defensive team in the league. That blue line, led by Stevens and Niedermayerand (and later Brian Rafalski) was the focal point of three Stanley Cup winning teams in 1994, 2000 and 2003. Stevens and Niedermayer brought different styles to the table (Stevens was a hammer; Niedermayer was the smoothest skater in the league), but very similar results -- total defensive domination, and a heck of a lot lot of winning.
  • Slide 12 of 26: One of the most famous brother duos in league history, the Richard's only spent five years playing together in the NHL but they made the most out of that time by, quite literally, winning the Stanley Cup every season. They were at very different points of their careers when they finally got the opportunity to play together (Henri was just starting; Maurice was at the twilight) but they still were key contributors to one of the NHL's all-time great dynasties.
    12/26 SLIDES © Getty Images

    Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings)

    Datsyuk and Zetterberg came up together in Detroit and started off as complementary players at the tail end of the Steve Yzerman era. Even though they had smaller roles at the very beginning, their talent and potential was obvious to anyone that watched them. Eventually they blossomed into the focal points of the franchise, and along with Nicklas Lidstrom, helped the Red Wings maintain their dominance over the league. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were two of the best two-way players of their era and helped lead the Red Wings to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2007-08 and 2008-09, winning in 2008 and losing in a seventh game at home in 2009 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Stanley Cup Final rematch.
  • Slide 13 of 26: Throughout most of the 1990s and early 2000s the Devils were the most tenacious defensive team in the league. That blue line, led by Stevens and Niedermayerand (and later Brian Rafalski) was the focal point of three Stanley Cup winning teams in 1994, 2000 and 2003. Stevens and Niedermayer brought different styles to the table (Stevens was a hammer; Niedermayer was the smoothest skater in the league), but very similar results -- total defensive domination, and a heck of a lot lot of winning.
    13/26 SLIDES © Jeff Zelevansky, ICON Sportswire

    Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane (Chicago Blackhawks)

    The arrival of Toews and Kane in Chicago helped revive a dormant franchise that had become an afterthought in the league for more than a decade. Toews has been one of the league's best two-way players throughout his career, while Kane has been a consistent force offensively. Together they helped the Blackhawks end a decades long Stanley Cup drought and brought three championships to Chicago in a six-year stretch.
  • Slide 14 of 26: Datsyuk and Zetterberg came up together in Detroit and started off as complementary players at the tail end of the Steve Yzerman era. Even though they had smaller roles at the very beginning, their talent and potential was obvious to anyone that watched them. Eventually they blossomed into the focal points of the franchise, and along with Nicklas Lidstrom, helped the Red Wings maintain their dominance over the league. Datsyuk and Zetterberg were two of the best two-way players of their era and helped lead the Red Wings to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances in 2007-08 and 2008-09, winning in 2008 and losing in a seventh game at home in 2009 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Stanley Cup Final rematch.
    14/26 SLIDES © Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire

    Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals)

    They finally got their championship in 2018, but even before then this was one of the league's most dominant pairings. Ovechkin is the greatest goal-scorer of all time, while Backstrom was one of the best playmakers of his era (and a very good defensive player on top of that). During their time in Washington the Capitals won three Presidents' Trophies (best regular season record in the league) and a Stanley Cup.
  • Slide 15 of 26: The arrival of Toews and Kane in Chicago helped revive a dormant franchise that had become an afterthought in the league for more than a decade. Toews has been one of the league's best two-way players throughout his career, while Kane has been a consistent force offensively. Together they helped the Blackhawks end a decades long Stanley Cup drought and brought three championships to Chicago in a six-year stretch.
    15/26 SLIDES © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

    Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya (Anaheim Ducks)

    A sublime display of offensive brilliance. Selanne and Kariya were a must-see attraction in Anaheim and one of the most breathtaking offensive duos the league has ever seen. They had production, the wow factor, and everything you want in a Hall of Fame talent (which they both are). Following their time in Anaheim they tried to briefly reconnect for a run in Colorado but were unable to duplicate the magic they had with the Ducks.
  • Slide 16 of 26: They finally got their championship in 2018, but even before then this was one of the league's most dominant pairings. Ovechkin is the greatest goal-scorer of all time, while Backstrom was one of the best playmakers of his era (and a very good defensive player on top of that). During their time in Washington the Capitals won three Presidents' Trophies (best regular season record in the league) and a Stanley Cup.
    16/26 SLIDES © Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

    Henrik and Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks)

    One of the most unique duos in league history, and also one of the most productive. Identical twin brothers that went second and third overall in their draft class (after an insane series of trades by the Vancouver Canucks to secure those two picks) and went on to be a Hall of Fame duo for more than a decade. They were never able to bring a Stanley Cup to Vancouver (they got as close as a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final) but they were still among the best players of their era and helped make the Canucks a bonafide contender throughout their careers. Each of them won a scoring title in the NHL.
  • Slide 17 of 26: Simply a devastating and completely intimidating defense duo. Even though the Blues never won the Stanley Cup with them, Pronger and MacInnis helped make the Blues one of the most feared defensive teams in the league. Each of them was the total package as a defender. Whatever requirement you want in a top-pairing defender, they had it. Durability, size, shutdown defensive ability, physicality, booming shots, and offensive brilliance. They each won a Norris Trophy with the Blues and are Hall of Fame players.
    17/26 SLIDES © Icon Sportswire

    Eric Lindros and John Leclair (Philadelphia Flyers)

    Along with Mikael Renberg these two helped form the Legion Of Doom in Philadelphia, which was not only one of the coolest line names in league history, but also a three-man wrecking crew that just steamrolled everything in its path. They were everything you imagine Philadelphia Flyers hockey to be -- big, strong, powerful, fearless, and talented. Lindros was the best of the bunch and the driving force behind the line only to have his career sidetracked by constant concussion problems toward the end. This duo powered the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997.
  • Slide 18 of 26: A sublime display of offensive brilliance. Selanne and Kariya were a must-see attraction in Anaheim and one of the most breathtaking offensive duos the league has ever seen. They had production, the wow factor, and everything you want in a Hall of Fame talent (which they both are). Following their time in Anaheim they tried to briefly reconnect for a run in Colorado but were unable to duplicate the magic they had with the Ducks.
    18/26 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

    Brett Hull and Adam Oates (St. Louis Blues)

    They only spent a couple of years together in St. Louis, but wow were they dominant during that time. Had they spent more time together they would have easily been higher on this list. With Oates as his playmaking center, Hull scored 158 goals during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons and was ripping up the league again in 1991-92 before Oates was traded to Boston at the trade deadline.
  • Slide 19 of 26: One of the most unique duos in league history, and also one of the most productive. Identical twin brothers that went second and third overall in their draft class (after an insane series of trades by the Vancouver Canucks to secure those two picks) and went on to be a Hall of Fame duo for more than a decade. They were never able to bring a Stanley Cup to Vancouver (they got as close as a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final) but they were still among the best players of their era and helped make the Canucks a bonafide contender throughout their careers. Each of them won a scoring title in the NHL.
    19/26 SLIDES © Bob Frid/Icon Sportswire

    Peter and Anton Stastny (Quebec Nordiques)

    A significant duo in league history, not only for their brilliance on the ice, but for what their arrival meant to the future of the league. They were two of the first star players to defect from the Eastern European bloc teams to defect to the NHL and helped open the door for European players in the future.
  • Slide 20 of 26: Along with Mikael Renberg these two helped form the Legion Of Doom in Philadelphia, which was not only one of the coolest line names in league history, but also a three-man wrecking crew that just steamrolled everything in its path. They were everything you imagine Philadelphia Flyers hockey to be -- big, strong, powerful, fearless, and talented. Lindros was the best of the bunch and the driving force behind the line only to have his career sidetracked by constant concussion problems toward the end. This duo powered the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1997.
    20/26 SLIDES © Jim Leary/Getty Images

    Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer (Anaheim Ducks)

    They each appear on this list two different times with two different teams. The joined forces in Anaheim at the start of the 2006-07 season when Pronger was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Niedermayer had signed with the Ducks as a free agent one year earlier. Together they formed a Hall of Fame defense duo that drove the Ducks to a Stanley Cup in Pronger's first year. They only spent three years together (Pronger was traded to Philadelphia before the 2009-10 season) and they were both at the end of their careers when they played next to each other, but they were still as dominant as any duo in league history.
  • Slide 21 of 26: They only spent a couple of years together in St. Louis, but wow were they dominant during that time. Had they spent more time together they would have easily been higher on this list. With Oates as his playmaking center, Hull scored 158 goals during the 1989-90 and 1990-91 seasons and was ripping up the league again in 1991-92 before Oates was traded to Boston at the trade deadline.
    21/26 SLIDES © Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire

    Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis (Tampa Bay Lightning)

    They entered the league in completely opposite ways, but when united together they helped put Tampa Bay hockey on the map and brought a Stanley Cup to the sunshine state. While Lecavalier was the No. 1 overall pick and a prized prospect in 1998, St. Louis entered the league as an undrafted free agent and eventually signed with Tampa Bay in 2000 after a forgettable two-year run with the Calgary Flames. St. Louis won two scoring titles with the Lightning, while Lecavalier won a goal-scoring crown. Together they were as good as any duo in the league during their prime years.
  • Slide 22 of 26: A significant duo in league history, not only for their brilliance on the ice, but for what their arrival meant to the future of the league. They were two of the first star players to defect from the Eastern European bloc teams to defect to the NHL and helped open the door for European players in the future.
    22/26 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

    Jacques Plante and Glenn Hall (St. Louis Blues)

    When the Blues entered the league during the 1967 season as part of a massive expansion that doubled the size of the NHL, they made quite an entrance by playing in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. They were by far the best of the new teams, mainly due to the presence of a Hall of Fame goaltending duo in Plante and Hall during the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons. They may have been at the end of their careers, but they still played at an elite level and helped carry the team to success.
  • Slide 23 of 26: They each appear on this list two different times with two different teams. The joined forces in Anaheim at the start of the 2006-07 season when Pronger was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Edmonton Oilers. Niedermayer had signed with the Ducks as a free agent one year earlier. Together they formed a Hall of Fame defense duo that drove the Ducks to a Stanley Cup in Pronger's first year. They only spent three years together (Pronger was traded to Philadelphia before the 2009-10 season) and they were both at the end of their careers when they played next to each other, but they were still as dominant as any duo in league history.
    23/26 SLIDES © Shelly Castellano/Icon Sportswire

    Tuukka Rask and Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins)

    It is not often that a team has two Vezina Trophy winning goalies on its roster at the same time, and both playing significant roles. But it happened for the Bruins between 2009-10 and 2011-12 when they were one of the top teams in the league. And both goalies played a significant role in that success. Of the 70 goalies that appeared in at least 30 games during that stretch, Thomas and Rask were second and third in the NHL in save percentage with virtually identical numbers (.927 for Rask; .926 for Thomas).
  • Slide 24 of 26: They entered the league in completely opposite ways, but when united together they helped put Tampa Bay hockey on the map and brought a Stanley Cup to the sunshine state. While Lecavalier was the No. 1 overall pick and a prized prospect in 1998, St. Louis entered the league as an undrafted free agent and eventually signed with Tampa Bay in 2000 after a forgettable two-year run with the Calgary Flames. St. Louis won two scoring titles with the Lightning, while Lecavalier won a goal-scoring crown. Together they were as good as any duo in the league during their prime years.
    24/26 SLIDES © Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire
  • Slide 25 of 26: When the Blues entered the league during the 1967 season as part of a massive expansion that doubled the size of the NHL, they made quite an entrance by playing in three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. They were by far the best of the new teams, mainly due to the presence of a Hall of Fame goaltending duo in Plante and Hall during the 1968-69 and 1969-70 seasons. They may have been at the end of their careers, but they still played at an elite level and helped carry the team to success.
    25/26 SLIDES © Getty Images
  • Slide 26 of 26: It is not often that a team has two Vezina Trophy winning goalies on its roster at the same time, and both playing significant roles. But it happened for the Bruins between 2009-10 and 2011-12 when they were one of the top teams in the league. And both goalies played a significant role in that success. Of the 70 goalies that appeared in at least 30 games during that stretch, Thomas and Rask were second and third in the NHL in save percentage with virtually identical numbers (.927 for Rask; .926 for Thomas).
    26/26 SLIDES © Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

Simon does have 50 points over the last two seasons, even though at least some of that production can be linked directly to minutes played with Sidney Crosby. He’s much more suited to a depth role but should attract some interest on the open market.

WWE: How Dominik Mysterio carries on his father's name and legacy

WWE: How Dominik Mysterio carries on his father's name and legacy Growing up, Dominik Gutierrez, like many wrestling fans during the 1990s and 2000s, idolized Rey Mysterio. Mysterio, a bonafide legend in the industry, has been one of the most captivating, energizing and — because of his relatively small stature — inspiring figures over his 32-year career. For Gutierrez however, things were quite different growing up because Mysterio — real name Oscar Gutierrez — is his father. “I’m very proud to be able to call him my dad,” the younger Gutierrez told Yahoo Sports. “I remember growing up that I always wanted every new Rey Mysterio action figure that came out, I always stole his outfits and put them on.

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Related slideshow: Mario Lemieux: Career retrospective (Provided by Yardbarker)

  • Slide 1 of 31: Wayne Gretzky might be
    1/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images

    Mario Lemieux: Career retrospective

    Wayne Gretzky might be "The Great One," and hold every significant statistical record there is to hold, but the NHL has never seen a physical force as gifted and as dominant as Mario Lemieux. "Le Magnifique" was built like a power forward, but skated elegantly and had pure skills no one in the league could match. Lemieux was a complete nightmare for opposing teams, and had his career not been repeatedly sidetracked by severe injuries and illness, he could have put up statistics that rivaled Gretzky's. Not only was Lemieux a singularly gifted player, but unlike most who excelled on the ice, court or grass, yet struggled in the front office, he rescued the Penguins from relocation and has been even more successful as an owner than he was as a player.
  • Slide 2 of 31: Like so many all-time greats across sports, the stories of Lemieux's obsession with hockey start early. Also, like many hockey players, Lemieux's parents constructed an outdoor rink for he and his older brothers to use for practice. Lemieux took up the game around age three, and according to one (possibly apocryphal) story, his family even packed snow onto their living room rug so that the children could practice indoors after sunset.
    2/31 SLIDES © Denis Brodeur / Contributor

    Practice, practice, practice

    Like so many all-time greats across sports, the stories of Lemieux's obsession with hockey start early. Also, like many hockey players, Lemieux's parents constructed an outdoor rink for he and his older brothers to use for practice. Lemieux took up the game around age three, and according to one (possibly apocryphal) story, his family even packed snow onto their living room rug so that the children could practice indoors after sunset.
  • Slide 3 of 31: Lemieux's career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League started when he was 16, and he was productive immediately, tallying 96 points, including 30 goals, in 64 games. In his third and final season in juniors, he posted an astonishing 282 points, including 133 goals, in just 70 games, and scored 52 points (29 goals) in 14 playoffs games. Lemieux's points record still stands, and in fact no player has come within 30 points of it. What's more, the 133 goals is also a single-season record, and only three other players have ever topped 100 in a QMJHL season; Guy Lafleur, who did it twice, Pat Lafontaine, and Gary MacGregor.
    3/31 SLIDES © Denis Brodeur / Contributor

    Total domination in juniors

    Lemieux's career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League started when he was 16, and he was productive immediately, tallying 96 points, including 30 goals, in 64 games. In his third and final season in juniors, he posted an astonishing 282 points, including 133 goals, in just 70 games, and scored 52 points (29 goals) in 14 playoffs games. Lemieux's points record still stands, and in fact no player has come within 30 points of it. What's more, the 133 goals is also a single-season record, and only three other players have ever topped 100 in a QMJHL season; Guy Lafleur, who did it twice, Pat Lafontaine, and Gary MacGregor.
  • Slide 4 of 31: The 1983 Pittsburgh Penguins were a truly awful hockey team, going 16-58-6 over the course of an 80-game season, and with Lemieux the obvious choice as the top overall pick, there was a race to the bottom of the NHL standings for the right to draft a generational, franchise-changing talent. The Penguins narrowly beat out the New Jersey Devils, finishing with 38 points on the year to New Jersey's 41. The Penguins not only finished 3-13 over their final 16 games, but they also used goalie Vincent Tremblay, seen here in less than textbook position during his time with the Maple Leafs, in four games over a 23-day stretch at the end of the season. Tremblay lost all four games, giving up 24 goals on 141 shots for a truly terrible .830 save percentage. Tremblay never played another NHL game after that season, but one imagines that the Penguins' front office couldn't have been happier with his performance.
    4/31 SLIDES © Graig Abel / Contributor

    Pittsburgh's tank

    The 1983 Pittsburgh Penguins were a truly awful hockey team, going 16-58-6 over the course of an 80-game season, and with Lemieux the obvious choice as the top overall pick, there was a race to the bottom of the NHL standings for the right to draft a generational, franchise-changing talent. The Penguins narrowly beat out the New Jersey Devils, finishing with 38 points on the year to New Jersey's 41. The Penguins not only finished 3-13 over their final 16 games, but they also used goalie Vincent Tremblay, seen here in less than textbook position during his time with the Maple Leafs, in four games over a 23-day stretch at the end of the season. Tremblay lost all four games, giving up 24 goals on 141 shots for a truly terrible .830 save percentage. Tremblay never played another NHL game after that season, but one imagines that the Penguins' front office couldn't have been happier with his performance.
  • Slide 5 of 31: It was a foregone conclusion that Lemieux would go number one overall in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He and the Penguins had a hard time working out a contract, so in an odd scene, he did not put on a Penguins jersey or shake general manager Eddie Johnston's hand when his name was called. That awkward scene did nothing to dampen Pittsburgh's spirits, however. Consider this; at the time, Penguins games typically drew less than 7,000 fans, and the team was already in some danger of being relocated. When the draft happened, over 3,000 fans watched it live at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena.
    5/31 SLIDES © Bettmann / Contributor

    First shift, first shot, first goal

    Lemieux wasted no time making an emphatic imprint on the league. His first NHL game came against the Bruins in Boston, and it was not even three minutes old when he stole the puck from Ray Bourque at the blue line, raced in against goalie Pete Peeters, made a gorgeous move and scored. It was Lemieux's first shift, his first shot, and his first goal. That it came at the expense of a future Hall of Fame defenseman was a clue as to what was about to be unleashed on the league.
  • Slide 6 of 31: Lemieux wasted no time making an emphatic imprint on the league. His first NHL game came against the Bruins in Boston, and it was not even three minutes old when he stole the puck from Ray Bourque at the blue line, raced in against goalie Pete Peeters, made a gorgeous move and scored. It was Lemieux's first shift, his first shot, and his first goal. That it came at the expense of a future Hall of Fame defenseman was a clue as to what was about to be unleashed on the league.
    6/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    Rapid rise

    Lemieux's impact on the Penguins and the league was immediate. He notched 43 goals and 100 points in his rookie season, and won the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. He was also the All-Star Game MVP in that rookie season, and the great play continued the following year, when he was second in the league to Wayne Gretzky with 141 points. Interestingly enough, despite Gretzky setting a single-season record with 215 points, Lemieux won the Lester B. Pearson Award (now known as the Ted Lindsay Award) as the league's best player, as voted on by his fellow players.
  • Slide 7 of 31: Lemieux's impact on the Penguins and the league was immediate. He notched 43 goals and 100 points in his rookie season, and won the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the Year. He was also the All-Star Game MVP in that rookie season, and the great play continued the following year, when he was second in the league to Wayne Gretzky with 141 points. Interestingly enough, despite Gretzky setting a single-season record with 215 points, Lemieux won the Lester B. Pearson Award (now known as the Ted Lindsay Award) as the league's best player, as voted on by his fellow players.
    7/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    Canada Cup

    Still just 21 years old, Lemieux played in the 1987 Canada Cup, a tournament that allowed the best players on the planet to play for their respective countries regardless of professional or amateur status. The tournament's purpose was to crown the true world champion of the sport, and therefore the games were pressure-packed and the quality of hockey unmatched, even in the NHL. Lemieux set a tournament record with 11 goals in 9 games, teaming with Gretzky on the same line. While Gretzky won tournament MVP honors, it was Lemieux who scored the winning goal late in the third period of the decisive third game of the finals against the Soviet Union.
  • Slide 8 of 31: Still just 21 years old, Lemieux played in the 1987 Canada Cup, a tournament that allowed the best players on the planet to play for their respective countries regardless of professional or amateur status. The tournament's purpose was to crown the true world champion of the sport, and therefore the games were pressure-packed and the quality of hockey unmatched, even in the NHL. Lemieux set a tournament record with 11 goals in 9 games, teaming with Gretzky on the same line. While Gretzky won tournament MVP honors, it was Lemieux who scored the winning goal late in the third period of the decisive third game of the finals against the Soviet Union.
    8/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    First MVP

    Buoyed by his success at the Canada Cup, Lemieux's game really took off in the 1987-88 season. He won his first MVP, and also broke Gretzky's seven-year stranglehold on the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer. Lemieux finished the season with 168 points, including a league-leading 70 goals, also the first time he topped the NHL in that category. Though the Penguins still didn't make the playoffs, the 1987-88 season marked the first sign that Lemieux was eclipsing Gretzky as the league's best player.
  • Slide 9 of 31: Buoyed by his success at the Canada Cup, Lemieux's game really took off in the 1987-88 season. He won his first MVP, and also broke Gretzky's seven-year stranglehold on the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer. Lemieux finished the season with 168 points, including a league-leading 70 goals, also the first time he topped the NHL in that category. Though the Penguins still didn't make the playoffs, the 1987-88 season marked the first sign that Lemieux was eclipsing Gretzky as the league's best player.
    9/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    An all-time great season

    If Lemieux's 1987-88 season was spectacular, his 1988-89 campaign took things to new heights. He led the NHL in goals, with 85, assists, with 114, and points, with 199. The 199 points is the closest any non-Gretzky player has come to cracking the 200-point mark in a single season. What made the feat more impressive was that Lemieux did it without playing in a full season. He posted those gaudy numbers in 76 games, not the full 80. Had he played every game, there is at least an outside chance that he would have been able to put up a few huge performances and perhaps even catch or exceed Gretzky's all-time record of 215 points. Lemieux also became the fourth player to score 50 goals in 50 games, and the Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in seven years. The only hardware he didn't take home was the Hart Trophy, which inexplicably went to Gretzky.
  • Slide 10 of 31: If Lemieux's 1987-88 season was spectacular, his 1988-89 campaign took things to new heights. He led the NHL in goals, with 85, assists, with 114, and points, with 199. The 199 points is the closest any non-Gretzky player has come to cracking the 200-point mark in a single season. What made the feat more impressive was that Lemieux did it without playing in a full season. He posted those gaudy numbers in 76 games, not the full 80. Had he played every game, there is at least an outside chance that he would have been able to put up a few huge performances and perhaps even catch or exceed Gretzky's all-time record of 215 points. Lemieux also became the fourth player to score 50 goals in 50 games, and the Penguins made the playoffs for the first time in seven years. The only hardware he didn't take home was the Hart Trophy, which inexplicably went to Gretzky.
    10/31 SLIDES © Focus On Sport / Contributor

    'The most talented player I've ever seen.'

    Talk to some NHL fans, and they'll tell you that Orr, not Gretzky or Lemieux, is the best hockey player in history. The Boston defenseman paid Lemieux the ultimate compliment when he remarked that Lemieux was, "the most talented player I've ever seen." Interestingly enough, Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux are all in agreement about who the greatest player of all time is; they all say Gordie Howe.
  • Slide 11 of 31: Lemieux's tour-de-force 1988-89 season was filled with great individual games, but no performance was greater than his single-handed destruction of the New Jersey Devils on New Year's Eve, 1988. Lemieux scored five goals in an 8-6 Penguins win, tallying at even strength, on the power play, shorthanded, on a penalty shot, and finally, into an empty net with one second remaining. The Penguins needed just about every one of them, and their captain delivered a performance that will never be exceeded, and likely never equaled. To add insult to injury for New Jersey, they were the team that lost out on the Lemieux sweepstakes years earlier.
    11/31 SLIDES © Focus On Sport / Contributor

    End-to-end against Minnesota

    The Penguins' first Stanley Cup Final appearance came in 1991 against the Minnesota North Stars, and Lemieux made an indelible mark on the series with one of the most iconic goals of his career. In the second period of Game 2, Pittsburgh's Phil Bourque collected the puck deep in his own end and quickly shoveled it to Lemieux, who took it in stride, blazed through the neutral zone, went one-on-two against Minnesota defenders, deked them out of their skates, then sent goalie Jon Casey sprawling with a beautiful move to put the Penguins up 3-1 in a game they would eventually win 4-1 to even the series at a game apiece. Truthfully, words don't do the goal justice, so just watch instead.
  • Slide 12 of 31: Talk to some NHL fans, and they'll tell you that Orr, not Gretzky or Lemieux, is the best hockey player in history. The Boston defenseman paid Lemieux the ultimate compliment when he remarked that Lemieux was,
    12/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett / Staff

    Bad back, Conn Smythe

    Lemieux's 1990-91 season was severely hampered by a bad back, specifically a herniated disc that ended up requiring surgery. He only played 26 games in the regular season (yet still managed 45 points), but saved his best for the playoffs. Lemieux piled up 44 points, including 16 goals, in 23 games, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and delivering the Penguins their first championship in franchise history. Lemieux's 44 points are the second-highest playoff total in history, trailing only Gretzky's 47 in 1984-85.
  • Slide 13 of 31: The Penguins' first Stanley Cup Final appearance came in 1991 against the Minnesota North Stars, and Lemieux made an indelible mark on the series with one of the most iconic goals of his career. In the second period of Game 2, Pittsburgh's Phil Bourque collected the puck deep in his own end and quickly shoveled it to Lemieux, who took it in stride, blazed through the neutral zone, went one-on-two against Minnesota defenders, deked them out of their skates, then sent goalie Jon Casey sprawling with a beautiful move to put the Penguins up 3-1 in a game they would eventually win 4-1 to even the series at a game apiece. Truthfully, words don't do the goal justice, so just watch instead.
    13/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett / Contributor

    The Graves slash

    Lemieux followed up his Conn Smythe performance in the 1991 playoffs by leading the league with 131 points in 1992, despite only playing in 64 games. In the playoffs, he continued to dominate, piling up 19 points in Pittsburgh's first seven games. However, in Game 2 of their Patrick Division Finals series against the New York Rangers, Lemieux was felled by a slash from the Rangers' Adam Graves, suffering a broken left wrist as a result. Lemieux missed the next five games, but the Penguins rallied to beat the Rangers, overcoming one of the more infamous moments in modern playoff history.
  • Slide 14 of 31: Lemieux's 1990-91 season was severely hampered by a bad back, specifically a herniated disc that ended up requiring surgery. He only played 26 games in the regular season (yet still managed 45 points), but saved his best for the playoffs. Lemieux piled up 44 points, including 16 goals, in 23 games, taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and delivering the Penguins their first championship in franchise history. Lemieux's 44 points are the second-highest playoff total in history, trailing only Gretzky's 47 in 1984-85.
    14/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett / Contributor

    Back-to-back Stanley Cups and Conn Smythes

    How did Lemieux respond after he returned from Graves' slash? He simply piled up nine goals and 15 points in his next seven games, dominating the Bruins and Blackhawks, as the Penguins went 7-0 upon his return. Particularly memorable was a backbreaking goal to beat the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final; Lemieux scored with 13 seconds left in the game to break a 4-4 tie, and Chicago never recovered. Lemieux finished with 34 points in just 15 playoff games, winning his second straight Conn Smythe, while the Penguins bagged their second straight Cup.
  • Slide 15 of 31: Lemieux followed up his Conn Smythe performance in the 1991 playoffs by leading the league with 131 points in 1992, despite only playing in 64 games. In the playoffs, he continued to dominate, piling up 19 points in Pittsburgh's first seven games. However, in Game 2 of their Patrick Division Finals series against the New York Rangers, Lemieux was felled by a slash from the Rangers' Adam Graves, suffering a broken left wrist as a result. Lemieux missed the next five games, but the Penguins rallied to beat the Rangers, overcoming one of the more infamous moments in modern playoff history.
    15/31 SLIDES © Bettmann / Contributor

    On pace for history

    What does the league's best player do for an encore after two straight Conn Smythes, two straight Stanley Cups, and an Art Ross Trophy in a year where he only played 64 games? Lemieux decided to take his game to historically scary heights in the 1992-93 season. He was on pace to challenge both Gretzky's single season points and goals records, having posted 39 goals and 104 points in his first 40 games. It looked like he was taking his game to a place no player had ever gone before, when the unthinkable struck.
  • Slide 16 of 31: How did Lemieux respond after he returned from Graves' slash? He simply piled up nine goals and 15 points in his next seven games, dominating the Bruins and Blackhawks, as the Penguins went 7-0 upon his return. Particularly memorable was a backbreaking goal to beat the Blackhawks in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final; Lemieux scored with 13 seconds left in the game to break a 4-4 tie, and Chicago never recovered. Lemieux finished with 34 points in just 15 playoff games, winning his second straight Conn Smythe, while the Penguins bagged their second straight Cup.
    16/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    Battling cancer

    On January 12, 1993, Lemieux announced that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He missed nearly two months of play, and had to undergo aggressive radiation treatments that badly sapped his strength, leaving his career and life hanging in the balance.
  • Slide 17 of 31: The hardware and the team's titles prove it well enough on their own, but it's hard to overstate how dominant Lemieux was in the 1991 and 1992 playoffs. His 78 points in those back-to-back playoff runs are the second-highest total in consecutive playoff runs in league history, trailing only Gretzky's 82 in the 1984 and 1985 playoffs. It's worth noting that while Gretzky got his points in 37 games as opposed to 38 for Lemieux, had Lemieux been healthy for the entirety of the 1992 playoffs, he would almost certainly own the record.
    17/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett / Contributor

    A standing ovation in Philadelphia

    In a scenario that was as cinematic as real life gets, and bordered on unthinkable, Lemieux returned from his radiation treatments, getting back on the ice the day of his last treatment and playing for the Penguins against the Flyers in Philadelphia. In one of the most astonishing moments in the history of one of the league's most bitter rivalries, fans in Philadelphia gave Lemieux a standing ovation before the game began. Lemieux notched a goal and an assist, the start of a run that saw him put up a jaw-dropping 56 points in 20 games on his way to winning the scoring title with 160 points in just 60 games. What Lemieux's season totals would have been had he stayed healthy all season is one of the great "what if" questions in sports history.
  • Slide 18 of 31: What does the league's best player do for an encore after two straight Conn Smythes, two straight Stanley Cups, and an Art Ross Trophy in a year where he only played 64 games? Lemieux decided to take his game to historically scary heights in the 1992-93 season. He was on pace to challenge both Gretzky's single season points and goals records, having posted 39 goals and 104 points in his first 40 games. It looked like he was taking his game to a place no player had ever gone before, when the unthinkable struck.
    18/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    A shocking playoff exit

    With Lemieux back from cancer, and the Penguins playing their best hockey of the season, the team seemed primed for a three-peat, and after they dispatched the New Jersey Devils in five games, with Lemieux scoring nine points, it seemed they were well on their way. However, the New York Islanders, a heavy underdog, stunned the Penguins in seven games in the second round on an overtime game-winner by David Volek. Pittsburgh's quest for a third straight title ended prematurely, Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, Lemieux's final title as a player was already in his rearview mirror.
  • Slide 19 of 31: On January 12, 1993, Lemieux announced that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. He missed nearly two months of play, and had to undergo aggressive radiation treatments that badly sapped his strength, leaving his career and life hanging in the balance.
    19/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    500 goals

    Lemieux got goal number 500 as part of his 32nd career hat trick on October 26, 1995 in a game against the New York Islanders. The game was Lemieux's 605th in the NHL, making him the second-fastest player to 500 goals in league history, trailing only, as usual, Gretzky, who accomplished the feat in 575 games. Lemieux's 1995-96 season was very fruitful individually, as he won his fifth Art Ross Trophy and his third Hart Trophy.
  • Slide 20 of 31: In a scenario that was as cinematic as real life gets, and bordered on unthinkable, Lemieux returned from his radiation treatments, getting back on the ice the day of his last treatment and playing for the Penguins against the Flyers in Philadelphia. In one of the most astonishing moments in the history of one of the league's most bitter rivalries, fans in Philadelphia gave Lemieux a standing ovation before the game began. Lemieux notched a goal and an assist, the start of a run that saw him put up a jaw-dropping 56 points in 20 games on his way to winning the scoring title with 160 points in just 60 games. What Lemieux's season totals would have been had he stayed healthy all season is one of the great
    20/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    First retirement

    On April 6, 1997, Lemieux announced that he planned to retire after the playoffs, despite having yet again won the scoring title with 122 points, including 50 goals. Lemieux's final game came against the Flyers, who eliminated the Penguins in five games. Philadelphia once again rose to the moment for Lemieux, with the Flyers' crowd giving him a standing ovation as he took a post-game skate.
  • Slide 21 of 31: With Lemieux back from cancer, and the Penguins playing their best hockey of the season, the team seemed primed for a three-peat, and after they dispatched the New Jersey Devils in five games, with Lemieux scoring nine points, it seemed they were well on their way. However, the New York Islanders, a heavy underdog, stunned the Penguins in seven games in the second round on an overtime game-winner by David Volek. Pittsburgh's quest for a third straight title ended prematurely, Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, Lemieux's final title as a player was already in his rearview mirror.
    21/31 SLIDES © J Giamundo / Contributor

    An early Hall call

    Lemieux became the ninth player ever to have the mandatory three-year waiting period for induction waived, as he went into the Hall on November 17, 1997. That he would receive such an honor was a foregone conclusion; at the time of his retirement, he was the only player in league history to hang up his skates having averaged over two points per game. Lemieux's numbers were astonishing: 1,494 points in just 745 career games, including 613 goals, all while dealing with cancer and chronic back problems so severe that he often had to have other people lace up his skates.
  • Slide 22 of 31: Lemieux got goal number 500 as part of his 32nd career hat trick on October 26, 1995 in a game against the New York Islanders. The game was Lemieux's 605th in the NHL, making him the second-fastest player to 500 goals in league history, trailing only, as usual, Gretzky, who accomplished the feat in 575 games. Lemieux's 1995-96 season was very fruitful individually, as he won his fifth Art Ross Trophy and his third Hart Trophy.
    22/31 SLIDES © B Bennett / Contributor

    'Garage League'

    Lemieux's frustration with what he perceived to be hockey's lax officiating, and the way that it aided and abetted less-skilled, rough-and-tumble players was well-chronicled. That frustration was part of the reason that he chose to retire when he was seemingly still at the top of his game. Lemieux went as far as calling the NHL a "garage league" in 1992. He also once confronted referee Kerry Fraser after a 1994 game against Tampa Bay, and bemoaned the constant clutching and grabbing that was always present in the game, but reached its worst-ever level in the mid-1990s.
  • Slide 23 of 31: On April 6, 1997, Lemieux announced that he planned to retire after the playoffs, despite having yet again won the scoring title with 122 points, including 50 goals. Lemieux's final game came against the Flyers, who eliminated the Penguins in five games. Philadelphia once again rose to the moment for Lemieux, with the Flyers' crowd giving him a standing ovation as he took a post-game skate.
    23/31 SLIDES © Craig Jones / Staff

    Saving the Penguins

    The Penguins were in dire straits in the mid-1980s, and drafting Lemieux saved the franchise. They were in a similar position in 1998 because of chronic mismanagement throughout the early 1990s. Lemieux was owed over $30 million in deferred salary, and he decided to leverage that into a bid to purchase the team as its majority owner. The bid was approved, making Lemieux the first former player to become majority owner of his former team. Not only did Lemieux take over, he did an excellent job, managing to dramatically improve the team's financial health, keep them in Pittsburgh, and secure a new arena. These days, he and billionaire co-owner Ron Burkle are regarded as among the best owners in the league.
  • Slide 24 of 31: Lemieux became the ninth player ever to have the mandatory three-year waiting period for induction waived, as he went into the Hall on November 17, 1997. That he would receive such an honor was a foregone conclusion; at the time of his retirement, he was the only player in league history to hang up his skates having averaged over two points per game. Lemieux's numbers were astonishing: 1,494 points in just 745 career games, including 613 goals, all while dealing with cancer and chronic back problems so severe that he often had to have other people lace up his skates.
    24/31 SLIDES © Jeff Goode / Contributor

    The comeback

    In late 2000, rumors swirled that Lemieux was considering a comeback, one primarily motivated by the fact that his son Austin had never seen him play. The rumors turned out to be true, as Lemieux was training in secret, and made his return to the league on December 27, 2000, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lemieux notched an assist 33 seconds into his first shift back, and finished a cross-ice pass from Jaromir Jagr for a goal in a 5-0 Penguins victory. Lemieux went on to tally 76 points in just 43 games, finishing with the highest points per game average in the league that year, and coming in third in Hart Trophy voting. The Penguins made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals that year, thanks to some late heroics by Lemieux in a series against the Buffalo Sabres, before they eventually fell to the New Jersey Devils in five games.
  • Slide 25 of 31: Lemieux's frustration with what he perceived to be hockey's lax officiating, and the way that it aided and abetted less-skilled, rough-and-tumble players was well-chronicled. That frustration was part of the reason that he chose to retire when he was seemingly still at the top of his game. Lemieux went as far as calling the NHL a
    25/31 SLIDES © Bettmann / Contributor

    Olympic gold

    For all of Lemieux's accomplishments, he didn't get to participate in the Olympics until late in his career. He took some time off from the Penguins in the 2001-02 season in order to be more physically ready for the Olympics, and ended up scoring six points in five games, as Canada won gold. Though his play in the NHL that season was nothing special by his standards, the trade-off of being able to secure a gold medal and round out his trophy case was more than worth it.
  • Slide 26 of 31: The Penguins were in dire straits in the mid-1980s, and drafting Lemieux saved the franchise. They were in a similar position in 1998 because of chronic mismanagement throughout the early 1990s. Lemieux was owed over $30 million in deferred salary, and he decided to leverage that into a bid to purchase the team as its majority owner. The bid was approved, making Lemieux the first former player to become majority owner of his former team. Not only did Lemieux take over, he did an excellent job, managing to dramatically improve the team's financial health, keep them in Pittsburgh, and secure a new arena. These days, he and billionaire co-owner Ron Burkle are regarded as among the best owners in the league.
    26/31 SLIDES © DAVID MAXWELL / Stringer

    Crossover with Crosby

    Lemieux stuck around through the NHL's 2004-05 lockout and played 26 games in the 2005-06 seasons, notching 22 points in those games. Part of the reason was so that he could actively pass the torch to Sidney Crosby, who the Penguins had selected with the number one overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Crosby and Lemieux combined on a handful of goals in that final season, and the final point of Lemieux's career was a secondary assist on a play in which Crosby got the primary helper. Oh by the way, Lemieux was Crosby's landlord when he joined the Penguins, too.
  • Slide 27 of 31: In late 2000, rumors swirled that Lemieux was considering a comeback, one primarily motivated by the fact that his son Austin had never seen him play. The rumors turned out to be true, as Lemieux was training in secret, and made his return to the league on December 27, 2000, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lemieux notched an assist 33 seconds into his first shift back, and finished a cross-ice pass from Jaromir Jagr for a goal in a 5-0 Penguins victory. Lemieux went on to tally 76 points in just 43 games, finishing with the highest points per game average in the league that year, and coming in third in Hart Trophy voting. The Penguins made it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals that year, thanks to some late heroics by Lemieux in a series against the Buffalo Sabres, before they eventually fell to the New Jersey Devils in five games.
    27/31 SLIDES © DAVID MAXWELL / Stringer

    Final retirement

    Lemieux's career ended for good when he announced his retirement on January 24, 2006. His final game was actually December 16, 2005, which saw him notch an assist in a loss against the Buffalo Sabres. As was so often the case throughout his career, a medical condition ultimately forced Lemieux to hang up his skates for good. In this case it was atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that required him to take medication in order to control it. He had tried to continue playing after his diagnosis, but in the end decided to step away for the game for good.
  • Slide 28 of 31: For all of Lemieux's accomplishments, he didn't get to participate in the Olympics until late in his career. He took some time off from the Penguins in the 2001-02 season in order to be more physically ready for the Olympics, and ended up scoring six points in five games, as Canada won gold. Though his play in the NHL that season was nothing special by his standards, the trade-off of being able to secure a gold medal and round out his trophy case was more than worth it.
    28/31 SLIDES © GEORGE FREY / Staff

    A champion on and off the ice

    Lemieux's career is in many ways unmatched across all sports. He is universally regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in history, and many feel he is the best, and while his accomplishments on the ice were spectacular, he's had an even better run away from it, as the Penguins have won three Stanley Cups during his time as owner, including back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, making them the only team in the salary cap era to accomplish the feat. What's more, his philanthropic efforts and partnerships with a local hospital system have been immensely beneficial, particularly for children battling pediatric cancer, as well as their families. The City of Champions has been home to dozens of all-time great athletes, but even with stiff competition, Lemieux might be the best and most beloved of them all.
  • Slide 29 of 31: Lemieux stuck around through the NHL's 2004-05 lockout and played 26 games in the 2005-06 seasons, notching 22 points in those games. Part of the reason was so that he could actively pass the torch to Sidney Crosby, who the Penguins had selected with the number one overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Crosby and Lemieux combined on a handful of goals in that final season, and the final point of Lemieux's career was a secondary assist on a play in which Crosby got the primary helper. Oh by the way, Lemieux was Crosby's landlord when he joined the Penguins, too.
    29/31 SLIDES © Bruce Bennett / Staff
  • Slide 30 of 31: Lemieux's career ended for good when he announced his retirement on January 24, 2006. His final game was actually December 16, 2005, which saw him notch an assist in a loss against the Buffalo Sabres. As was so often the case throughout his career, a medical condition ultimately forced Lemieux to hang up his skates for good. In this case it was atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that required him to take medication in order to control it. He had tried to continue playing after his diagnosis, but in the end decided to step away for the game for good.
    30/31 SLIDES © Jeff Swensen / Stringer
  • Slide 31 of 31: Lemieux's career is in many ways unmatched across all sports. He is universally regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in history, and many feel he is the best, and while his accomplishments on the ice were spectacular, he's had an even better run away from it, as the Penguins have won three Stanley Cups during his time as owner, including back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017, making them the only team in the salary cap era to accomplish the feat. What's more, his philanthropic efforts and partnerships with a local hospital system have been immensely beneficial, particularly for children battling pediatric cancer, as well as their families. The City of Champions has been home to dozens of all-time great athletes, but even with stiff competition, Lemieux might be the best and most beloved of them all.
    31/31 SLIDES © NHL Images / Contributor

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