The 2026-2027 NHL season started a few weeks ago, and before the first game, the Pittsburgh Penguins released the team's player playlist on Spotify. It is my honor and privilege to share the playlist. Before I get into the specific songs, I question the purpose of this list. Did the players simply share one of their favorite songs? That seems to be the case as many of these songs don't seem to be those that get you pumped up before a game.
I recently wrote that I'm too old for much of MTV's Video Music Awards. Looking at this first group, I felt even older. Yes, I'm significantly older than the members of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but I've never heard of some of these artists. Then I did a deeper dive. JVG is a Finnish rap duo (I'm going to guess that this was Ville Koivunen's contribution), and Endspiel is a Russian hip-hop artist. There's really not a reason for me to know either one. I do know Ella Langley's song about Arch Manning. You can also tell that some Canadians added songs to this playlist with Drake and The Tragically Hip being here.
This is a Pittsburgh list, so of course Mac Miller makes the list. E-Type is a Swedish musician and not a type of car. Several country artists both here and overall. Prospa is an electronic duo from Leeds, England, and my guess is Free Your Mind has nothing to do with the En Vogue song.
Bruce Springsteen makes it twice. And I've actually heard of all of these artists from this group.
Let's Go Pens!
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