Fansided

Every NHL team’s best active player still searching for a Stanley Cup win

By Kyle McKenna

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 19: Joe Thornton #19 of the San Jose Sharks spots the puck in front of the net of the New York Rangers during a NHL game at the SAP Center at San Jose on March 19, 2016 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Nick Lust/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Penguins

Considering that a majority of the rostered players on the Pittsburgh Penguins have already won at least one Stanley Cup, a newcomer to the Steel City makes the cut as the Penguins’ best player that’s still searching for a Stanley Cup ring.

After spending the last 12 seasons split between the Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets, defenseman Jack Johnson inked a five-year deal, worth an annual average value of $3.25 million with the Penguins this offseason.

Yes, Johnson should thrive with Pittsburgh and prove his critics wrong, but he’ll have extra motivation to play with Kris Letang, Sidney Crosby and company considering that he still hasn’t won a Stanley Cup championship.

Johnson, 31, was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings with the third-overall selection at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The Indianapolis, Indiana native was expected to transform into a potential Norris Trophy winner, but that concept never panned out.

Still, Johnson progressed into an above average offensive-defenseman and he can add value to a deep team such as Pittsburgh.

The 6-foot-1 skater’s career-season came in 2010-11, after he recorded (five goals, 37 assists) 42 points in all 82 games played for the Kings. The University of Michigan product has recorded 30 or more points in a season on five occasions.

His best season with the Blue Jackets was in 2014-15 when Johnson found the back of the net eight times and tallied 32 assists for 40 points in 79 games. The Penguins are hoping Johnson can produce another 40 to 50 points campaign en route to winning his first Stanley Cup.

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