Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #30

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a rich history of talented players who have donned the team’s jersey over the years. Today, we focus on the best player to wear the number 30 for the Penguins.

Of the 17 players who have worn the number 30 for the Penguins, all but one have been goaltenders. Some of the notable players who have worn this number include Les Binkley, Andy Brown, Gord Laxton, Jean-Sebastien Aubin, Dany Sabourin, and Matt Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup Champion.

Matt Murray’s time with the Penguins was marked by success and memorable moments. Drafted by the Penguins in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Murray made his NHL debut in December 2015 at the age of 20. Despite some initial back and forth between the NHL and AHL, Murray eventually solidified his position as the Penguins’ starting goaltender.

In the 2015-16 season, Murray showcased his skills with an impressive 9-2-1 record, a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA), and a .930 save percentage (SV%). His standout performance continued into the playoffs, where he played a crucial role in leading the Penguins to their fourth Stanley Cup Championship in 2016.

Over the course of two seasons from 2015-17, Murray maintained strong stats both in the regular season and playoffs, with a combined 2.21 GAA and a .927 SV% in the regular season and remarkable 1.89 GAA and .930 SV% in the playoffs. His best playoff performance came in 2017 with a 1.70 GAA and a .937 SV%.

Murray’s time with the Penguins spanned five seasons, during which he experienced both highs and lows. Despite facing challenges in his final season with the team, Murray maintained a respectable 2.58 GAA and a .916 SV% over his Penguins’ career. Notably, he played a pivotal role in leading the team to consecutive Stanley Cup Championships as a rookie.

In the 2020 offseason, Murray was traded to the Ottawa Senators before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in July 2022. Following a season on LTIR due to bilateral hip surgery, Murray signed a one-year contract with the Leafs for the 2024-25 season.

Honorable Mention for the best player to wear the number 30 for the Penguins goes to Jean-Sebastien Aubin, highlighting the depth of talent that has graced the team over the years.