6 Hockey Players who Played for Canadiens and Penguins
My guess is you’ve searched this page out because you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
If I’m right, that also means that today’s grid is asking for players who have played for both the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
And, I’m also guessing that you’re a little stuck on this particular square and you’re looking for a little help to keep your grid immaculate. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, I’m here to help.
I’ve already done the research and have put together a list of well-known stars along with some more “under-the-radar” players that could land you a low rarity score.
Zarley Zalapski
Zarley Zalapski was drafted fourth overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. Over the course of his NHL career, he played for several teams including the Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers.
Known for his offensive contributions from the blue line, Zalapski had several seasons where he posted impressive point totals, especially during his time with the Hartford Whalers.
In addition to his NHL experience, Zalapski had a significant international career. He represented Canada in various tournaments, most notably at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where he was part of the Canadian national team.
John LeClair
John LeClair was selected in the 2nd round, 33rd overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
LeClair is best known for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he became a star player. Playing on the famous “Legion of Doom” line with Eric Lindros and Mikael Renberg, he was one of the league’s premier power forwards in the 1990s.
His accolades include being named to five NHL All-Star Games, winning a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1993, and receiving the NHL First All-Star Team honors in 1995, 1998, and 1999.
LeClair Key Stats
- All-Star (Canadiens, Flyers)
- Stanley Cup Winner (Canadiens)
- 40+ Goal Season (Flyers)
Alex Galchenyuk
Alex Galchenyuk was selected 3rd overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. During his NHL career, Galchenyuk has played for several teams, including the Canadiens, Coyotes, Penguins, Wild, Senators, and Maple Leafs.
To date, Galchenyuk has scored 146 goals, 208 assists, and 354 points. He’s known for his skilled play, puck-handling, and scoring ability but has struggled with consistency at times.
He has also represented the United States in international competitions, earning a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships.
Jeff Petry
Jeff Petry was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, 45th overall, at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Petry started his NHL career with the Oilers, where he improved significantly in his second season, leading all Oilers defensemen in points with 25.
Petry played for the Oilers until 2015, when he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. On July 16, 2022, Petry was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with forward Ryan Poehling in exchange for Mike Matheson and a 2023 fourth-round draft pick.
Despite generating 31 points in 61 games during his first season with the Penguins, there was a general sense of disappointment with his performance, as he missed time due to injury and the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Alex Kovalev
Alexei Kovalev is a retired Russian player and current coach. He played over 1,300 games in the NHL over 18 seasons for teams including the Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, and Panthers. Kovalev was drafted 15th overall by the Rangers in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, becoming the first Russian-born player to be drafted in the first round.
Kovalev was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1998 and had two of his best NHL seasons with them, scoring 76 and 95 points. In 2003, he was traded back to the Rangers and later to the Canadiens in 2004. He later signed with the Senators in 2009 and scored his 1,000th career point in 2010.
In the NHL, he totaled 1,316 games, scoring 430 goals and 599 assists. His awards include NHL All-Star selections in 2001, 2003, and 2009, winning the NHL All-Star Game MVP in 2009, and the Molson Cup in 2008. He won a Stanley Cup with the Rangers in 1994.
Kovalev Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Championship (Rangers)
- 1000+ Career Points (Rangers, Penguins, Canadiens, Senators, Panthers)
- 40+ Goal Season (Penguins)
- 50+ Assist Season (Penguins)
Tomas Vokoun
Tomáš Vokoun was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the ninth round, 226th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. His career in the NHL took off when he was claimed by the Nashville Predators in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft, where he established himself as the team’s starting goaltender and a key player.
Later in his career, Vokoun played for several other teams, including the Panthers, Capitals, and Penguins, continuing to demonstrate his skill and consistency as a goaltender. Vokoun also had a successful international career with the Czech national team. He represented his country in multiple World Championships and the Winter Olympics.
Known for his excellent reflexes, positional play, and ability to perform under pressure, Vokoun was selected for multiple NHL All-Star Games, underscoring his status as an elite goaltender in the league.
Vokoun Key Stats
- 300 Win Career (Predators, Panthers, Canadiens, Capitals, Penguins)
- 30+ Win Season (Predators, Panthers)
