Best Penguins by Jersey Number: #36

The Pittsburgh Penguins have a rich history with many great players who have donned the team’s jersey over the years. One way to honor these players is by highlighting the best Penguins players to wear each jersey number. Today, we focus on the best player to wear the number 36 for the Penguins.

Fourteen players have worn the number 36 for the Penguins, including notable names like Matthew Barnaby, Tom Kostopoulos, John Curry, and Bryan Rust. However, when it comes to the standout player to wear this number, Jussi Jokinen takes the spotlight.

Jokinen’s time with the Penguins spanned from the trade deadline in 2013 to the end of the season in 2014. Despite being selected by Dallas in the sixth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, Jokinen exceeded expectations and established himself as a reliable middle-six forward with various teams before joining the Penguins.

Known for his exceptional playmaking skills and prowess in executing breakouts, Jokinen made a significant impact during his tenure with the Penguins. He even formed a productive line partnership with Evgeni Malkin, showcasing his abilities by recording seven goals and 11 points in just 10 games after joining the team in 2013.

One of Jokinen’s standout traits was his proficiency in shootouts. He made an impressive start to his shootout career by scoring in his first nine attempts, including netting the shootout winner in his Penguins debut on May 4, 2013.

While Jokinen wasn’t primarily recognized as a prolific goal scorer, he displayed flashes of brilliance with his adeptness around the net and his quick release on the snapshot. His performance during the 2013-14 season, where he tallied 21 goals and 57 points, further solidified his impact on the team.

Following his successful stint with the Penguins, Jokinen went on to sign a three-year deal with the Florida Panthers. In his final NHL season in 2017-18, he played for four different teams, including the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Vancouver Canucks, before ultimately retiring from professional hockey.

Jokinen concluded his NHL career with impressive stats, amassing 191 goals and 563 points in 951 games. Alongside Jokinen, honorable mentions for the best player to wear the number 36 for the Penguins include J.J. Daigneault, Matthew Barnaby, and Tom Kostopoulos.