8 Hockey Players who Played for Panthers 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 Florida Panthers 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.
Jaromir Jagr
Jaromír Jagr was drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Jagr swiftly made an impression. Alongside center Mario Lemieux, Jagr played a pivotal role in back-to-back Stanley Cup championships for the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. His time with Pittsburgh also included multiple scoring titles and an MVP.
Jagr’s NHL journey included playing for several teams such as the Capitals, Rangers, Flyers, Stars, Bruins, Devils, Panthers, and Flames. Across these stints, his scoring touch and on-ice intelligence never waned. Jagr finished his career ranked second in NHL all-time points (1921), behind only Wayne Gretzky.
But Jagr’s contributions to the game extend beyond the NHL. He has been an essential figure for the Czech national team, securing a gold medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics and multiple World Championships.
Jagr Key Stats
- MVP (Penguins)
- All-Star (Penguins, Rangers)
- 500+ Career Goals (Penguins, Rangers, Capitals, Panthers, Devils, Flyers, Bruins, Stars, Flames)
- 100+ Point Season (Penguins, Rangers)
- 40+ Goal Season (Penguins, Rangers)
- 50+ Assist Season (Penguins, Rangers)
Erik Gudbranson
Erik Gudbranson is a Canadian defenseman, known for his physical style of play and his defensive abilities. He was drafted third overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2010 NHL Draft.
During his early career with the Panthers, Gudbranson established himself as a tough, physical defenseman, often taking on a role that emphasized defensive responsibilities over offensive production.
Over the years, Gudbranson has been a bit of a journeyman, playing for several teams including the Vancouver Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets.
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)
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)
Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen is a retired Finnish forward. Jokinen was selected by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round, 192nd overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2005–06 season with the Stars and quickly gained a reputation as a top shootout specialist in the league.
Jokinen’s NHL career spanned over 13 seasons, during which he played for nine teams. After his tenure with the Dallas Stars, he played for the Lightning, Hurricanes, Penguins, Panthers, Oilers, Kings, Blue Jackets, and Canucks.
His most productive season came in 2013–14 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he scored 21 goals and totaled 57 points in 81 games. In the 2017–18 season, he became the fourth player in NHL history to play for four different teams in a single season.
Reilly Smith
Reilly Smith is a Canadian right winger currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was selected in the third round, 69th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Smith’s pro career began with the Stars in 2012, and he was soon part of a significant trade to the Boston Bruins.
His journey through the NHL also included stints with the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2023, scoring the Cup-clinching goal in Game 5.
His career statistics in the NHL (as of this writing) include 200 goals and 273 assists in 764 regular season games, along with 26 goals and 53 assists in 106 playoff games.
Smith Key Stats
- Stanley Cup Champion (Knights)
Riley Sheahan
Riley Sheahan was drafted 21st overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has played in the NHL for several teams including the Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and Seattle Kraken.
Sheahan’s NHL career began with the Red Wings. In October 2017, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he completed the 2017-18 season with 32 points in 81 games. Subsequent trades led him to the Florida Panthers in 2019, where he scored 19 points in 82 games, and then to the Edmonton Oilers, contributing 15 points in 66 regular season games.
Sheahan continued his NHL journey with the Buffalo Sabres in 2020 and the Seattle Kraken in 2021, where he played a depth forward role and served as the team’s primary penalty killer. In August 2022, he returned to the Sabres on a one-year contract but was placed on unconditional waivers for refusing to return to their AHL affiliate.
Jared McCann
Jared McCann is a Canadian forward currently playing for the Seattle Kraken. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. McCann made his NHL debut with the Canucks in the 2015-16 season, where he scored his first NHL goal in October 2015 against the Calgary Flames.
In May 2016, McCann was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he played until February 2019 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
With the Penguins, McCann signed a two-year contract in September 2020, but was later traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in July 2021. His move to the Maple Leafs was strategic, anticipating his selection in the expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken, which happened shortly afterward in July 2021.
