The Pittsburgh Penguins are a relatively new NHL franchise. The team was formed in 1967 and struggled for years to find its footing. Things changed in the 1980s when the team added Mario Lemieux, one of the league's all-time greats.

The Penguins have been one of the NHL's model franchises since then, adding Stanley Cup championships in 1991, 1992, 2009, 2016, and 2017. In its history, the team has featured some of the league's best players. Below are some key Penguin rookie cards you may want to add to your collection.

Jean Provonost 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee 

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In 1968, the Penguins made a deal with the Boston Bruins to acquire Jean Provonost. The right-winger would rapidly become Pittsburgh's first star. Provonost became the first player in franchise history to score 30, 40, and 50 goals in a season. He also became the first Penguin to score 100 points as he did so during the 1975-76 season.

After a decade with the Penguins, Provonost was traded to the Atlanta Flames in 1978. The four-time All-Star was elected to the Penguin Hall of Fame in 1992. Provonost's rookie comes from the 1969-70 O-Pee-Chee set, and a mint copy can be had for less than $100.

Mario Lemieux 1985 O-Pee-Chee

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During the 1984 Draft, the Penguins were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to draft Mario Lemieux. It would be a franchise-changing move. The center would spend no time in the minor leagues and would score 100 points in his first season. The legendary Penguin would lead the league in scoring 6 times despite never playing 82 games in a season.

Lemieux spent his entire career with Pittsburgh and starred in two Stanley Cup wins. Lemieux's rookie issue is quite expensive, selling for around $3,000 in PSA 9 condition. Collectors can also opt for the Topps edition of the card which goes for around $1,000 in a PSA 9.

Jaromir Jagr 1990 Upper Deck 

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The Penguins selected Jaromir Jagr with the 5th overall pick during the 1990 draft. The Czech would end up being the final piece to the team's Stanley Cup hopes as they wont in 1991 and 1992. Jagr ended up being so much more than that to both the Penguins and a handful of other teams.

Jagr would go on to play more than two decades in the NHL. He is near the top of many NHL lists. Jagr finished his career with the 4th most goals in NHL history, the 5th most assists and the 2nd most points. His Upper Deck rookie card is readily available for less than $100.

Sidney Crosby 2005 Upper Deck Young Guns 

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After some down years, the Penguins won the 2005 NHL Draft Lottery. And that win allowed them the opportunity to select Sidney Crosby. The Canadian center was considered by many to be the next Wayne Gretzky. Amazingly, Crosby has been able to make good on those expectations.

Crosby has won 3 Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. He has also won the Hart Memorial Trophy two times. Since he was such a great prospect, the Penguin's rookie cards can be quite expensive. His PSA 9 Young Guns rookie sells for around $1,250 in a PSA 9.

Evgeni Malkin 2006 Upper Deck Young Guns 

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The year before the Penguins added Sidney Crosby, they had selected Russian center Evgeni Malkin second overall. Due to a contract dispute, though, he did not begin his NHL career until 2006. Once he and Crosby were paired together, the Pittsburgh squad became dynamic.

Malkin began his career by winning the Calder (Rookie of the Year) Cup and won the Hart Trophy in 2012. Like Crosby, he is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. Malkin's Upper Deck Yung Guns rookie card can be had in PSA 10 condition for between $500 and $700.

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