NHL EDGE stats for Pittsburgh Penguins

Highlights include Karlsson’s expertise in advanced stats and Bunting’s time spent in the offensive zone.

As part of NHL.com’s 32 in 32 series, we will identify key EDGE stats for each team to preview the 2024-25 season. Today, we look at the impact of three advanced metrics for the Pittsburgh Penguins:

1. Forward Sidney Crosby was tied for seventh in the NHL in high-danger goals (23) last season and was in the 97th percentile in high-danger shots on goal (90).

Crosby, who ranks second among active NHL players in career points per game (1.25), behind Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (1.52), and has won the Stanley Cup three times with the Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017), is still at the top of his individual game. Crosby also ranked among the NHL leaders in total skating distance (267.22 miles; 94th percentile).

However, for the first time in Crosby’s tenure, Pittsburgh has failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in successive seasons. Crosby, now 37, has the potential to become an unrestricted free agent after this season. This makes it a potentially crucial season for his supporting cast.

Crosby surpasses Recchi to claim No. 21 spot on the all-time list during the PIT@MIN game.

2. Defenseman Erik Karlsson ranked seventh among NHL defensemen in 20-plus mile per hour speed bursts (116) last season, while Crosby was among the League leaders in this category (181; 93rd percentile).

Despite a significant decrease in points last season (56), following his trade to Pittsburgh from his Norris Trophy-winning season with the San Jose Sharks in 2022-23 (101), Karlsson excelled in EDGE stats with his new team. He was among the top performers in the League in terms of shot speed (101.54 mph; 98th percentile), total skating distance (278.94 miles; 97th percentile), and top skating speed (23.20 mph; 90th percentile).

Karlsson finished with more points than teammate Kris Letang (51), with both defensemen playing all 82 games. But Karlsson has a higher ceiling in long-range goals (five; ranked outside top 10 defensemen) considering he finished fourth in long-range shots on goal (116), behind Evan Bouchard of the Oilers (136), Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres (132) and MacKenzie Weegar of the Calgary Flames (124). He led the NHL in long-range goals (10) in 2022-23. Letang tied for ninth among all players with six long-range goals last season and had 90 long-range shots on goal.

Karlsson slams a one-timer into the net at the NSH@PIT game, increasing the lead to double.

3. Forward Michael Bunting ranked among the League leaders in offensive zone time percentage at all strengths (47.8 percent; 97th percentile) last season.

Bunting was outstanding for the Penguins after being acquired in a trade from the Carolina Hurricanes on March 7 with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists) in 21 games playing in a top-six role. Bunting has a chance to stick on a line with Crosby or another high-scoring center in Evgeni Malkin this season with Pittsburgh not making any significant offseason additions to shake up its forward group.

Bunting’s combined usage rate last season showed he adjusted well to leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he frequently played on a line with elite goal scorer Auston Matthews. Bunting thrived around the net with 70 high-danger shots on goal (89th percentile) and 14 high-danger goals (85th percentile) last season.

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