Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #40

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a rich history filled with talented players who have donned the black and gold jerseys over the years. Today, we shine a spotlight on the best player to wear the number 40 for the Penguins.

While eleven players have worn the number 40 jersey for the Penguins, most of them have been goaltenders. One notable mention is Frank Pietrangelo, who made a memorable save but did not leave a lasting impact during his time in Pittsburgh. However, there is one player who made the most of his time wearing the number 40 jersey – Patrick Lalime.

Selected by the Penguins in the sixth round of the 1993 NHL Draft, Lalime’s rookie season in 1996-97 was nothing short of impressive. Despite only playing one season with the Penguins at the age of 22, Lalime’s performance catapulted him into the conversation for the Vezina Trophy. He even set a record for the longest unbeaten streak to start an NHL career, going 14-0-2 in his first 16 games with a remarkable 1.69 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage.

Throughout that season, Lalime maintained a solid record of 21-12-2 with a 2.95 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. However, due to a contract dispute, Lalime sat out the following two NHL seasons before resuming his career with the Ottawa Senators in 1999. He later played for the St. Louis Blues, the Chicago Blackhawks, and concluded his NHL career with the Buffalo Sabres.

Lalime retired from the NHL after the 2010-11 season, leaving behind a legacy of 200 wins, 35 shutouts, a 2.58 goals-against average, and a .905 save percentage in 444 career games played.

As we reflect on the best players to wear each jersey number for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Patrick Lalime’s brief but impactful stint as the number 40 stands out as a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.