Building the Perfect Penguins Player

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Building the Perfect Penguins Player

Building the Perfect Penguins Player — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Dan Kingerski · Pittsburgh Hockey Now

Sat, Sep 5, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Sidney Crosby 's vision and Egor Chinakhov 's 90mph wrist shot.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a varied group of players, and PHN decided to enter the laboratory to build the perfect player using the parts available from the current Penguins roster. Of course, we could have looked through the Penguins' history, but there's a guy named Mario Lemieux who was as close to the perfect hockey player as any human has been before or since, so that exercise was pointless.

For this column, PHN limited the available attributes to the current team.

And there were some tough decisions. Does one choose Crosby's steely intensity or Bryan Rust 's gritty heart-on-his-sleeve approach? Or, should we consider Erik Karlsson 's more relaxed demeanor?

The Perfect Penguin

Hockey IQ: Sidney Crosby

Karlsson was a close second because he also understands the game on a level that far exceeds that of most players, but Crosby stands alone in his studious, near-obsessive approach to the game. Crosby exemplifies Walter Gretzky's axiom to be where the puck is going, not where the puck is.

Shot: Egor Chinakhov

The very best wrister in the NHL. Chinakhov doesn't need a runway built for a 767 to let it rip, and it's only going to get better as he gets more space and opportunity in the Penguins' top six. His wrist shot is on par with a slapper for most players.

Size: Elmer Soderblom

Soderblom is simply an enormous human being. While he may not be a physically punishing player, he uses his size to his advantage to shield the puck or take it from opponents along the wall. Soderblom isn't just 6-foot-8 and 252 pounds, but he's also strong.

Vision: Erik Karlsson

This time, Crosby was a very close second. Rickard Rakell earned consideration here, too. Karlsson sees the entire ice, whether on the power play or at even strength, and orchestrates the play in ways that few defensemen, including the current crop of elite blue liners, can do. It is easy to take Karlsson for granted here, but while Crosby gets to finish the play or set up the goal, Karlsson makes an endless number of plays to exit his own zone or get through the neutral zone, too.

Mentality: Bryan Rust

It was a tough call, but Rust gets better in tough situations. Rust not only begins with intensity, but adversity brings out an elevated level of determination while others struggle when they get frustrated. If not for Crosby, Rust would be a captain because of his scrappy leadership and eager perseverance.

Clutch: Evgeni Malkin

One of the best big-game players in the game. Rust's history of series-clinching goals and Crosby's penchant for OT winners are stiff competition, but Malkin is at his very best in the biggest games. The aura may have faded in recent years as the Penguins haven't played many big games and Malkin has aged, but the sight of the big Russian forward on his toes, charging toward defensemen in pressure-packed games, will be etched in Penguins history.

Athleticism: Kris Letang

Letang built a brilliant career despite being an undersized defenseman. Many might forget that he emerged during a time when big defensemen were still the norm. Letang had to be a better skater — quicker, more agile, and stronger.

Finish: Egor Chinakhov

It is a leap of faith to use Chinakhov's 41-game sample, but he netted 44% of his high-danger chances, which is nearly double that of most players. Rust, Crosby, Rakell, and Malkin are generally in the mid-20s each season, but Chinakhov potted 16 goals in 36 high-danger chances (according to NaturalStatTrick.com).

While Crosby and Rust earn a good number of goals within feet of the crease, Chinakhov finished chances. We strongly considered Rakell here because of his often slick conclusion to plays, but his finishing rate was only 22% (somewhat surprising).

We could have taken Malkin's career-long body of work or Crosby's sheer volume of goals, but there is an art to finishing that is entirely off the page and doesn't translate to print. Players in the locker room offered wide-eyed praise for Chinakhov's skill last season, and we're trusting them that he's got the best finishing touch.

Complete Player:

So, when the team's sports science department figures out how to splice everyone's genes to create the ultimate player, the team will have a 6-foot-8, 252-pound intense leader with a 90 mph wrist shot, one of the greatest hockey IQs ever, with an unrelenting drive and ability to enjoy it all with deft passes that further open up the game and an ability to snipe a goal from 25 feet.

And yes, that almost describes Lemieux at his peak, but he was only 6-foot-5.

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