The Pittsburgh Penguins’ organizational history has a plethora of great players, and we’ve decided to go through the best Penguins’ players to wear each jersey number. Today, we continue the list by naming the best #67 in Penguins’ history.
There have only been three players to wear #67 for the Penguins. One was a forward – Radim Zohorna – who was already on this list elsewhere. Another was a defenseman – Alex Goligoski – who only wore it for a short time.
The best #67 in Penguins’ history is the guy sporting the number for the team right now, and that is Rickard Rakell.
Rakell was drafted by Anaheim in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Known primarily as a goal-scorer, he was dealt to Pittsburgh at the 2022 trade deadline to bolster the team’s scoring depth down the stretch in preparation for the playoffs.
And it didn’t take all that long for Rakell to show off his greatest attribute. His first goal in a Penguins’ uniform came during an onslaught of the Detroit Red Wings when he scored the team’s 11th goal of the game – and showed off his wicked shot:
Now in his fourth season with the Penguins, Rakell has shown an ability to gel with both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. His forechecking, ability to create space, physicality, and hockey smarts have made him a weapon alongside either center, but perhaps his best hockey came alongside Crosby and Jake Guentzel.
Rakell has shown his skill in terms of both goal-scoring and playmaking, and this was especially on display when working with those two:
Rakell’s best season with the Penguins was his first full season – largely spent on that line – when he registered 28 goals and 60 points. His only playoff appearance with the Penguins was in 2022 against the Rangers, but he was knocked out early in the series in Game 2 after a questionable hit by Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren.
So far in the 2024-25 season, Rakell seems to be rebounding after an injury-riddled, disappointing 2023-24 campaign. He has scored seven goals and is pacing 27 for the season.
Over the course of his Penguins’ career, Rakell has registered 54 goals and 122 points in 192 games. He has 208 goals and 461 points in 742 NHL games.
