15th year, right wing Tom Kostopoulos(29) is another veteran player coming full circle in his pro career.
He signed a pto with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins late-ish last season, a team he is very familiar with from 369 regular season and playoff games and two seasons as captain, a position he currently holds for them again. He more than any other player is synonymous with this franchise and is their all-time leading scorer.
Six weeks before the end of the season, he was given a deal with Pittsburgh Penguins but grabbed from the waiver wire by New Jersey Devils. He skated in 15 games and scored one goal.
He appeared in 17 more AHL games before scoring another contract bringing his overall totals up to 465 games in the league, 136 goals and 233 assists to his credit.
Signed to a minor league contract for 2013/2014 through the Penguins‘ parent club, he’ already putting up point-per-game numbers with 3 goals and 5 assists in 7 games.
The former Pittsburgh 7th round pick in the 1999 draft (#204 overall) is mostly known for his tough to play against, agitating presence, which has kept the 6′ 200 lbs. forward at the highest level of hockey for 630 games.
His scoring proficiency might not be what it is in the lower league at 61 goals and 94 assists but he also plays a vastly different role as mostly a fourth line skater.
He’s also a -48 plus/minus in the NHL, whereas he has a great +30 in the A.
The 34-year old has always managed to find his place throughout his dozen plus seasons but he’s likely looking at an imminent transition into a great coaching career, as he’s been a mentor to his teammates for as long as anyone can even remember.