How far has Pittsburgh come as a hockey town, er, excuse me, hockey-tahn? On Sunday, our fair 'Burgh will be one of three cities spotlighted during "Hockey Day Across America" on NBC along with St. Paul, Minn., and Detroit.
"Hockey Week Across America" is a USA Hockey initiative started in 2008 to "engage the hockey community in celebrating the sport at all levels and exposing the game to new audiences." As part of it, NBC is broadcasting a tripleheader that starts off with the Penguins hosting the Rangers at 12:30 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena followed by the Blues and Wild at 3 p.m. on the Peacock Network. It concludes with the Red Wings hosting the Flyers at 6 p.m. on NBCSN.
The Penguins have nine U.S.-born players on their roster. Which got me to thinking, "who is the best American player of all-time?" I asked a handful of these Penguins for their answers. You can provide your own down in the comments.
Nick Bjugstad: Minneapolis
"Best of all-time? Whew, there's some up and coming. It's hard to say. Position wise, I don't know, 'D' you've got Phil Housley. He was something else, and he's a Minnesotan. So gotta give him a shout out. Brian Leetch, can't forget about him. (Chris) Chelios. Forward-wise. (Mike) Modano. Who do you think?"
I'd say Modano, Leetch or Pat LaFontaine, he was incredible there for a few years. I think it might be Auston Matthews or Patrick Kane by the time they're done.
"Oh yeah, forgot about Lafontaine. That's probably the ones that strike my mind, but I think American hockey keeps growing and growing. There's so many in the game right now that are elite players and guys now are coming from all over the country.”
Matt Cullen: Virginia, Minn.
"Gosh, that's a hard question. I think Modano comes to mind. There's a lot of young guys right now. Not necessarily young, but Patrick Kane is making a bid for it. Wow, feel like I'm missing a few. ... It's fun to see how much that list is going to change in the near future. All those guys like Dougie Weight, Billy Guerin, Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, they were all in that. But it's interesting to see the new wave of young guys coming up."
Casey DeSmith: Rochester, N.H.
"Best? Wow, I feel like I'm going to miss someone that's not going to come to mind and I should have said him. ... Hard ... any suggestions?
For a goalie, you could go with Richter, Jonathan Quick, Ryan Miller or ...
"We can go Mike Richter. Oh, Modano. For me, growing up, Modano was one of the stars. Literally and figuratively (laughs). I'd say Modano and John Vanbiesbrouck. Not that he's the best, I just wanted to put it out there that I liked John Vanbiesbrouck a lot."
Done.
Jake Guentzel: Omaha, Neb.
"All-time? Hmm, what Kane's doing right now is pretty impressive with how many points he's put up. He's definitely going to be up there with the way he plays."
As a winger, you take anything away from his game?
"I just think the way he plays, his offensive ability with his hands. It's pretty fun to watch him as a player."
Jack Johnson: Indianapolis
"I think of the people who influenced me and, as a kid, the first time I watched USA Hockey as a kid was the '96 World Cup team. Guys like Chris Chelios and Brian Leetch, Billy Guerin and Mike Modano, that group of guys. How do you pick out just one? Brett Hull, Jeremy Roenick. For me, growing up as a defenseman, I really liked Brian Leetch and Chris Chelios. But I don't know how you pick just one."
Bryan Rust: Pontiac, Mich.
"Phil Kessel. Nah? (laughs). "
He's up there.
"Yeah, he's up there. Hard to pick ... Chelios is up there. Mike Richter's up there. Mike Modano's up there. I don't know. It's hard to pick one."
How about currently?
"Patrick Kane. Didn't think of him off the top of my head, but he's definitely put himself in the conversation, for sure. You've seen what he's done the last 25 games here, basically turned that team around led by his efforts. It's pretty impressive."