Numbers the Pittsburgh Penguins Should Consider Retiring

The Pittsburgh Penguins have two retired numbers hanging from the rafters of the Consol Energy Center: Mario Lemieux's No. 66 and Michel Briere's No. 21.

In 2003, the Penguins unveiled a Ring of Honor, which recognizes some of the great players in franchise history without retiring their numbers.

That's all fine and good, but what if the day comes when the Penguins decide to retire another player's uniform number?

I am not sure if the Penguins Ring of Honor will be present in the new arena (maybe someone can help me out here), but regardless, retiring a player's number is the greatest way to honor him for his contributions to an individual team or the game of hockey.

Here are some players who should have their number retired by the Penguins if the team chooses to do so at some point in the future.

Jaromir Jagr: 1990-2001

Next to Mario Lemeiux, Jaromir Jagr is arguably the best player to ever suit up for the Penguins.

Jagr spent 11 seasons with the Penguins, where he played in 806 games. He has 1,079 career points and 439 career goals.

In 11 years, Jagr had two seasons where he posted 80 assists or more. He had 87 assists in the 1995-1996 season and 83 assists in 1998-1999. That helped bring his career assists total to 640 while with Pittsburgh.

Jagr also won several NHL awards as a Penguin. He captured four consecutive Art Ross trophies (1998-2001), two Lester B. Pearson Awards (1999 and 2000), and the 1999 Hart Trophy. Of course, he was also a major part of the Penguins back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.

Jagr also has put up more than 30 goals and more than 70 points for 15 NHL seasons; 10 of which came with the Penguins. He is a member of the NHL's exclusive Triple Gold Club, which is reserved for players who have won the Stanley Cup, a World Championship gold medal, and an Olympic gold medal.

There is some controversy surrounding whether or not the Penguins should retire No. 68. He had some negative things to say about Pittsburgh after departing from the team, and while he was still in the NHL, some Penguins fans booed him every time he touched the puck against them.

I support retiring Jagr's number. I understand why negative statements about Pittsburgh would upset fans, but at the same time, it is hard to deny how great of a player he really is.

Ron Francis: 1991-1998

Francis spent the last part of the 1991 season with the Penguins after being traded from the Hartford Whalers. He stayed with the team until 1998 and became one of the team's most valuable players in franchise history.

Francis played 533 games during his seven years in Pittsburgh. In the 1995-1996 season, he had 92 assists, which tied with Mario Lemieux that same year. Both now sit in fourth place all time on the Penguins leaders for assists in a season. He also sits in third on the all-time list with 449 career assists.

1995-1996 happened to be Francis' best season in Pittsburgh. He posted 119 points, which led to his selection to play in the 1996 NHL All-Star Game.

While with the Penguins, he picked up the Selke Trophy in 1995 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1995 and 1998. He was also the Penguins captain during those two seasons.

Francis' number has already been retired by the Carolina Hurricanes, and his No. 10 was also honored during a game at the Hartford Civic Center after the Whalers folded.

This already shows he was valuable to every franchise he was a part of.

I think the Penguins should make it three organizations that no longer have the No. 10 in circulation.

Jean Pronovost: 1968-1978

Pronovost was the first player in Penguins franchise history to score 100 points and 50 goals in a season. He accomplished both milestones during the 1975-1976 season when he had 52 goals and 104 points.

Pronovost finished his Penguins career with 753 overall games played in what was then a blue and white jersey. That total puts him in third place on the Penguins' all-time games played list. His 316 career goals are third among all-time Pittsburgh players, while his 603 point total is ranked fifth.

He was the captain of the team during the 1977-1978 season.

I wasn't even born when Pronovost was playing. But I will tell you this: Ever since he was one of the former players honored during the last game at Mellon Arena, I have not been able to get the "Let's Go Pronovost!" chant out of my head.

How cool would it be to hear that again if the Penguins retire his number? I know I wouldn't mind.

Paul Coffey: 1987-1992

After winning three Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers, Coffey brought some of his success to Western Pennsylvania in 1987.

In the 1988-1989 season, he had 83 assists, which puts him eighth among the Penguins' all-time assist leaders (He is tied with Jaromir Jagr, who put up the same total in 1998-1999.). He had 440 career points with the Pens, which is ranked ninth all time for the franchise.

Coffey was selected to the 1989, 1990, and 1991 NHL All-Star Games while he was a member of the team. During the 1991 Stanley Cup season, he posted 93 points in the regular season and 11 points in 12 playoff games.

Today, he is second all time among NHL defensemen in career goals (396), assists (1135), and points (1531). His impressive totals are only behind Ray Bourque.

Since he is so close to one of the greatest defensemen of all time, it would only be appropriate for a second organization to retire No. 77.

Syl Apps: 1970-1978

Apps played with the Penguins from 1970-1978. He came to Pittsburgh during the 1970-1971 season in a trade from the New York Rangers.

Apps is 11th on the Penguins' all-time goals list with 151 goals scored during his time in Pittsburgh. His 349 assists in eight seasons are ranked fifth, while his 500 points are eighth.

He led the Penguins in scoring three times during his tenure, including two 85-point seasons in 1973 and 1974. He was also elected to the 1975 NHL All-Star Game.

Kevin Stevens: 1987-1995; 2000-2002

Stevens played 522 games with the Penguins over eight seasons. He had two 50-goal seasons, scoring 54 goals in the 1991-1992 season and 55 goals in 1992-1993. That helped lead to his 260 Penguins goals being ranked fifth all time.

Stevens is also ranked eighth in franchise history with 295 career assists, and his 555 career points are ranked sixth. His best season came in 1991-1992 when he finished with 123 points in addition to his 54 goals.

During the Penguins' Stanley Cup runs, Stevens was the team Iron Man. He played every regular season and playoff game during the 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 seasons.

After playing with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers, Stevens came back to Pittsburgh for part of the 2000-2001 season and all of the 2001-2002 season. He posted 28 points between those two seasons and retired after 2002.

Today, he remains in the Penguins organization as a talent scout.

It only makes sense to retire the No. 25 to honor someone who has stuck with the organization for so long, both as a player and a member of the front office.

Sorry, Max Talbot. Time to pick another number.

Tom Barrasso: 1988-1999

Barrasso was traded to the Penguins from the Buffalo Sabres in 1988.

He was another major member of both Stanley Cup teams. However, the 1991 Stanley Cup playoffs were the better of those two Cup runs for him. That year, his playoff record was 12-7 with a 2.60 GAA and a .919 save percentage.

In 1992, he set a record for most wins in a playoff season for a goaltender. His record was 16-5 with a 2.28 GAA and a .907 save percentage. That is a record he still holds today, although he is now in a tie for it. 

Barasso represented the Penguins in the 1993 NHL All-Star Game. He was also the first American-born goalie to record 300 career wins and finished his career with 369 wins, which is now the second most for an American goalie.

Although Barasso's numbers as a Penguin may not impress everyone, his career accomplishments deserve at least a consideration for a No. 35 banner to be added to the Consol Energy Center.