The
Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Pittsburgh,
PennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. They are members of the
Atlantic DivisionThe NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...
of the
Eastern ConferenceThe Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
of the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's
original expansionThe National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
from six to twelve teams. The Penguins played in the Civic Arena from the time of their inception through the end of the 2009-10 season. They moved into their new arena, Consol Energy Center, to begin the 2010–11 NHL season. They have qualified for four
Stanley Cup FinalsThe Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
, winning 3
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
s in their history, in 1990–91, 1991–92, and
2008–09The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
.
1965 to 1969: Founding a franchise
Before the Penguins, Pittsburgh had been the home of the NHL's
PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
from 1925 to 1930, and the Hornets
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
franchise from the 1930s to 1967. Both the Pirates and Hornets had multiple playoff runs, with the Hornets playing in the final series seven times and winning three championships. In the spring of 1965,
Jack McGregorJack Edwin McGregor is a former Pennsylvania State Senator from Pittsburgh and the founder of the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins. He currently resides in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he serves as counsel to Cohen and Wolf, P.C. where he serves as an advisor to companies looking to...
, a
state senatorA state senator is a member of a state's Senate, the upper house in the bicameral legislature of 49 U.S. states, or a legislator in Nebraska's one house State Legislature.There are typically fewer state senators than there are members of a state's lower house...
from Kittanning, devised a plan to bring an NHL franchise back to Pittsburgh. McGregor's plan involved lobbying some of his campaign contributors (who were avid sports fans) and community leaders. The group focused on leveraging the NHL as an urban renewal tool for Pittsburgh. The senator formed a group of local investors for the Pittsburgh franchise that included
H. J. Heinz CompanyThe H. J. Heinz Company , commonly known as Heinz and famous for its "57 Varieties" slogan and its ketchup, is an American food company with world headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Perhaps best known for its ketchup, the H.J...
heir
H. J. Heinz IIIHenry John Heinz III was an American politician from Pennsylvania, a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate .-Early life:...
,
Pittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
owner
Art RooneyArthur Joseph "Art" Rooney, Sr. , often referred to as "The Chief", was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers American football franchise in the National Football League.-Family history:...
, and the
Mellon familyThe Mellon family is a wealthy and influential family originally of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and its vicinity. In addition to Mellon Bank they were principally known for their control over Gulf Oil, Alcoa, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Koppers, as well as their major influence on...
's
Richard Mellon ScaifeRichard Mellon Scaife is an American newspaper publisher and billionaire. Scaife owns and publishes the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. With $1.2 billion, Scaife, a principal heir to the Mellon banking, oil, and aluminum fortune, is No...
. The
1967 NHL ExpansionThe National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
depended on securing votes from the
then-current NHL ownersThe Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
; to ensure that Pittsburgh would be selected for expansion, McGregor enlisted Rooney to petition votes from
James D. NorrisJames Dougan Norris was an American sports businessman, with interests in boxing, ice hockey, and horse racing. He was the son of James E. Norris and half-brother of Bruce Norris and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.Born in Chicago, Norris served as a Lieutenant with the United States Navy...
, owner of the
Chicago Black HawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, and his brother
Bruce NorrisBruce Arthur Norris was owner of the Detroit Red Wings from 1952 to 1982. He was the son of James E. Norris and half-brother of James D. Norris. Members of the Norris family owned the Red Wings for almost fifty years before selling the franchise to Mike Ilitch in 1982. Bruce and Marguerite Norris...
, owner of the
Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
.
The effort was successful, and on February 8, 1966, the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
awarded an
expansion teamAn expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
to Pittsburgh for the 1967–68 season. The Penguins paid $2.5 million for their entry in to the NHL and $750,000 more for start-up costs. The Civic Arena's capacity was then boosted from 10,732 to 12,500 to meet the NHL requirements for expansion. The Pens also paid an indemnification bill to settle with the Detroit Red Wings, who held the rights to the Pittsburgh Hornets. The investor group named McGregor president and chief executive officer, and he represented Pittsburgh on the NHL’s Board of Governors.
After deciding on the "Penguin" nickname (which was inspired by the fact that the team was to play in the "Igloo", the nickname of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena), a logo was chosen that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which symbolized the "Golden Triangle" of downtown Pittsburgh."
The Penguins' first general manager was
Jack RileyJohn Patrick "Jack" Riley is a retired professional ice hockey player and executive. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.Riley played nine seasons of professional hockey, primarily in the Eastern Hockey League for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Falcons and Washington Lions...
. His team (along with the other expansion teams) was hampered by restrictive rules that kept most major talent with the "
Original SixThe Original Six is a term for the group of six teams that composed the National Hockey League for the 25 seasons between the 1942–43 season and the 1967 NHL Expansion. These six teams are the Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and the...
". Beyond aging sniper
Andy BathgateAndrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
and tough defenseman
Leo BoivinLéo Joseph Boivin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars.-Playing career:Leo Boivin began playing hockey at seven years...
, the first Penguins team was manned by a cast of former minor leaguers. On October 11, 1967, league president
Clarence CampbellClarence Sutherland Campbell OBE, QC was the third president of the National Hockey League from 1946 to 1977.-Early life and career:...
and McGregor jointly dropped the ceremonial first puck of the Penguins opening home game against the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. The Penguins would go 27–34–13 that year, missing the playoffs; however, the Penguins were a mere six points out of first place in the close-fought West Division. Still, there was a great moment in their first season: on October 21, 1967, they became the first team from the expansion class to beat an Original Six team, as they defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 4–2.
Though Bathgate led the team in scoring, both he and Boivin were soon gone. Former player George Sullivan was the head coach for the club's first two seasons until being replaced by
Hockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
r
Red KellyLeonard Patrick "Red" Kelly, CM is a retired Canadian ice hockey player in the NHL. He played on more Stanley Cup winning teams than any player who never played for the Montreal Canadiens, and is the only player to be part of two of the nine dynasties recognized by the NHL in its history...
.
1970–1974: Tragedy of Briere and making the playoffs
With the exception of a handful of decent players such as
Ken SchinkelKenneth Calvin "Whitey" Schinkel is a retired professional ice hockey right wing and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League and the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:After a junior career ending with the St...
,
Keith McCrearyVernon "Keith" McCreary was a left winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Flames.He was born in Sundridge, Ontario.-Playing career:...
, agitator Bryan Watson, and goaltender
Les BinkleyLeslie John Binkley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Binkley played goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros...
, talent was otherwise thin, but enough for the Penguins to reach the playoffs in both 1970 and 1972.
In the 1969 draft the Penguins discovered a diamond in the rough with the selection of
Michel BriereMichel Edouard Brière was an NHL hockey player whose life and career was cut short due to an automobile accident in 1970.-Playing career:...
who although being chosen 26th soon was drawing comparisons to
Phil EspositoPhilip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
and
Bobby ClarkeRobert Earle Clarke, OC , better known as Bobby Clarke or, in later life, Bob Clarke, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers and is currently an executive with the team...
. Joining the team in November, he finished as the top rookie scorer in the NHL with 44 points (57th overall), and third on the Penguins. He was only slightly edged out for the
Calder TrophyThe Rookie of the Year award is given by a number of sports leagues, mainly in North America, to the top first-time professional athlete of a season. -Principal sports making award:...
honors to future Hall of Fame goalie
Tony EspositoFor the Italian musician, please see Tony Esposito .Anthony James "Tony O" Esposito is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender, who played in the National Hockey League, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks. He was one of the pioneers of the now popular butterfly style....
. The team finally had its first home-grown superstar in the making.
The 1969–70 season only got better as Pittsburgh celebrated its first NHL Playoff berth since the 1928 Pirates. Besting the original franchise the Penguins recorded the first NHL series victory in the city's history, defeating the Oakland Seals in four games. A series away from the Stanley Cup Finals, the defending conference champions St. Louis Blues got the best of the club during six games, but the Penguins had shown the hockey world that Pittsburgh was on the rise. The club was just the fourth expansion team to win an NHL series. The rookie Briere was even more impressive as the post season got underway, recording five goals (including three game winners) and eight points in just 10 games. Most dramatically he scored an overtime goal to win Pittsburgh its first NHL Playoff series in California. With the franchise two games shy of the Stanley Cup Finals and a promising rookie getting better with each game the future looked incredibly bright.
Tragedy struck the Penguins just days after their playoff heroics. On May 15, 1970 Briere suffered head trauma in a car crash in his native
QuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. After two brain surgeries and never fully recovering from a comatose state for over a year, Briere died in a Montreal hospital. His jersey, number 21, was never reissued, remaining out of circulation for the Penguins until it was formally retired in 2001. Briere's 21 and
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
's 66 are, to date, the only numbers retired by the Penguins.
The next season the Penguins managed almost the same record as the 1969–70 campaign but finished five games out of the playoffs. Pittsburgh bounced back strong in 1971–72 with a playoff berth only to be swept by the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in the first round. All the promise that built up in the franchise in the last few seasons was slowly unraveling with age getting to the older expansion draft players, the low draft picks and the tragic death of what should have been the Penguins superstar Brière.
The Penguins battled the
California Golden SealsThe California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
near the division cellar in 1973–74, Riley was fired as general manager and replaced with Jack Button. Button traded for
Steve DurbanoHarry Steven "Mental Case" Durbano was a professional ice hockey player noted for his villainous behavior on the ice and his larger-than-life persona off it....
,
Ab DeMarco, Jr.Albert Thomas "Ab" DeMarco, Jr. is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association during the 1970s. A skilled defender, he was noted for his shot, considered one of the hardest in the sport at the time...
, Bob "Battleship" Kelly, and
Bob ParadiseRobert Harvey Paradise is a retired American ice hockey defenseman who appeared in a total of 368 National Hockey League regular season games in 1971–79. He is a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame....
. The personnel moves proved successful, as the team's play improved. The Penguins just barely missed the playoffs in 1974.
In early 1975, however, the Penguins' creditors demanded payment of back debts and this forced the team into
bankruptcyBankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
. The doors to the team's offices were padlocked, and it looked like the Penguins might fold or relocate. Around the same time, rumors had begun to circulate that the Penguins and
California Golden SealsThe California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
were to be relocated to Seattle and Denver respectively, the two cities that were to have been the sites of an expansion for the 1976–77 season. Through the intervention of a group that included former
Minnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
head coach
Wren BlairWren Blair is a former Canadian ice hockey coach. He was head coach of the Minnesota North Stars from 1967 to 1970. He was also the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins from July 1975 to December 1976...
, the team was prevented from folding and remained in Pittsburgh.
Summer of '75 to 1982: A winning record and seven playoffs berths in eight seasons
Beginning in the mid-seventies, Pittsburgh iced some powerful offensive clubs, led by the likes of the "Century Line" of
Syl Apps, Jr.Sylvanus Marshall Apps, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
,
Lowell MacDonaldLowell Wilson MacDonald was a National Hockey League right winger during the 1960s and 1970s. MacDonald broke into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings after being promoted from the AHL's Pittsburgh Hornets...
and
Jean PronovostJean Joseph Denis Pronovost is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Flames and Washington Capitals...
. They came tantalizingly close to reaching the Stanley Cup semifinals in 1975, but were ousted from the playoffs by the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in one of only three best-of-seven game series in NHL history where a team came back from being down three games to none. As the 1970s wore on, the Penguins brought in other offensive weapons such as
Rick KehoeRick Thomas Kehoe is a retired professional ice hockey player and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
,
Pierre LarouchePierre "Lucky Pierre" Larouche is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Hartford Whalers, and New York Rangers.-Hockey career:...
, and
Ron SchockRonald Lawrence Schock was a National Hockey League centre from 1964 to 1978. His younger brother, Danny Schock, also played briefly in the NHL. Ron retired following 909 games, recording a total of 166 goals, 351 assists, and 517 points.While playing with the St. Louis Blues, Schock attended a...
, along with a couple solid blue-liners such as
Ron StackhouseRonald Lorne Stackhouse is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:Stackhouse started his career playing with the Peterborough Petes under Roger Neilson in the OHA. Stackhouse was drafted 18th overall by the Oakland Seals in the 1969 NHL Amateur Draft...
and
Dave BurrowsDavid James Burrows is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He started his NHL career in 1971, and played through 1981...
. But the Pens' success beyond the regular season was always neutralized by mediocre team defense. Goaltender
Denis HerronDenis Bernard Herron is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Kansas City Scouts, and Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
was a stalwart in goal, later sharing the
Vezina TrophyThe Vezina Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's goaltender who is "adjudged to be the best at this position". At the end of each season, the 30 General Managers of the teams in the National Hockey League vote to determine the goaltender who was the most valuable to his team...
while with the Montreal Canadiens in 1980–81.
Aldege "Baz" BastienAldege "Baz" Bastien was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender, head coach and general manager. He played five games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1945, but received most of his playing accolades while with the Pittsburgh Hornets of the American Hockey League...
, a former coach and general manager of the AHL Hornets, later became general manager. The Penguins missed the playoffs in 1977–78 when their offense lagged, and Larouche was traded for
Peter MahovlichPeter Joseph "Little M" Mahovlich , known in his playing years as "Little M", is a retired Canadian professional hockey forward and head coach.-Playing career:...
and Peter Lee. Bastien traded prime draft choices for several players whose best years were already behind them, such as
Orest KindrachukOrest Michael Kindrachuk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals...
,
Tom BladonThomas George "Bomber" Bladon is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played nine seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings. He won the Stanley Cup with the Flyers in 1974 and 1975...
, and
Rick MacLeishRichard George MacLeish is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Philadelphia Flyers, Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings...
, and the team would suffer in the early 1980s as a result. The decade closed with a playoff appearance in 1979 and a rousing opening series win over the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
before a second-round sweep at the hands of the
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
.
The Penguins began the 1980s by changing their team colors. In January 1980, the team switched from wearing blue and white to their present-day scheme of black and gold to honor Pittsburgh's other sports teams, the
PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and the
SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, as well as the
Flag of PittsburghThe flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is a tricolor flag featuring vertical bands of black and gold. The coat of arms of the City of Pittsburgh is charged in the center of the gold stripe....
. Both the Pirates and Steelers had worn black and gold for decades, and both were fresh off world championship seasons at that time. The Bruins protested this color change, claiming a monopoly on black and gold, but the Penguins defended their choice by stating that an
early hockey club in PittsburghThe Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
also used black and gold as their team colors. They also argued that black and gold were Pittsburgh's traditional sporting colors. The NHL agreed, and Pittsburgh was allowed to use black and gold, a color scheme since adopted as well by the
Anaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
when that team changed their uniforms in 2006.
On the ice, the Penguins began the 1980s with defenseman
Randy CarlyleRandolph Robert Carlyle is a former ice hockey defenceman and formely the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He was raised in Azilda, just northwest of Sudbury, Ontario.-Career:...
, and prolific scorers Paul Gardner and Mike Bullard, but little else.
During the early part of the decade, the Penguins made a habit of being a tough draw for higher-seeded opponents in the playoffs. In 1980, the 13th seeded Penguins took the Bruins to the limit in their first round playoff series. The following season, as the 15th seed, they lost the decisive game of their first-round series in overtime to the heavily favored St. Louis Blues. Then, in the 1982 playoffs, the Penguins held a 3–1 lead late in the fifth and final game of their playoff series against the reigning champions, the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. However, the Islanders rallied to force overtime and won the series on a goal by
John TonelliJohn A. Tonelli is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He was a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the New York Islanders, and also played with the Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.-Bio:In 1982 and 1985,...
. It would be the Pens' final playoff appearance until 1989.
1983 to 1988: The Mario Lemieux sweepstakes and losing seasons
The team had the league's worst record in both the 1983 and 1984 seasons, and with the team suffering financial problems, it again looked as though the Penguins would fold.
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, one of the most highly touted NHL draft picks in history, was due to be drafted in the
1984 NHL Entry DraftThe 1984 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 9, 1984, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.The 1984 Entry Draft was noted for the unusually high number of future Hall of Famers picked, particularly in lower rounds. In addition to Mario Lemieux being taken first overall, Patrick Roy was chosen...
. Heading towards the end of the season ahead of the
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who were placed last, the Penguins made a number of questionable moves that appeared to weaken the team in the short-term. The Penguins posted three six-game winless streaks in the last 21 games of the season (out of which they won only three) and earned the right to draft Lemieux amidst protests from Devils president Bob Butera. Pittsburgh coach
Lou AngottiLouis Frederick Angotti is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and St. Louis Blues. He was the first ever captain of the Flyers in the NHL and coached for the Blues and the Penguins...
later admitted that a conscious decision was made to finish the season as the team with the worst record, stating in an interview with the
Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
that a mid-season lunch prompted the plan, in light of the fact that there was a high chance of the franchise folding if Lemieux was not drafted. In particular, Angotti gave the example of a game the Penguins were winning 3–1, at which point general manager
Eddie JohnstonEdward Joseph Johnston is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and former coach and general manager in the National Hockey League...
asked the coach "what are you doing?" in the first intermission of the game that was eventually lost 6–3. The Penguins were still, despite losing ten of their last twelve games, only two games away from losing Lemieux to the Devils. However, Angotti stated that he did not feel comfortable with the plan, even though it worked and saved the franchise. Other teams offered substantial trade packages for the draft choice, but the Penguins kept the pick.
With the first overall pick in the
1984 NHL Entry DraftThe 1984 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 9, 1984, at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec.The 1984 Entry Draft was noted for the unusually high number of future Hall of Famers picked, particularly in lower rounds. In addition to Mario Lemieux being taken first overall, Patrick Roy was chosen...
Pittsburgh selected
Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
superstar
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
. He paid dividends right away, scoring on the first shot of his first shift in his first NHL game. However, the team spent four more years out of the playoffs after his arrival.
In the late 80s, the Penguins finally gave Lemieux a strong supporting cast, trading for superstar defenseman
Paul CoffeyPaul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
from the
Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
(after the Oilers' 1987
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
win) and bringing in young talent such as scorers
Kevin StevensKevin "Artie" Stevens is a retired ice hockey player and current NHL scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played left wing on a line with Mario Lemieux during the Penguins' Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992...
, Rob Brown, and
John CullenJohn Cullen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning. He was a standout player for Boston University and is the school's all-time leading scorer...
from the minors. Also, the team at last acquired a top-flight goaltender with the acquisition of
Tom BarrassoThomas Patrick Barrasso is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St...
from Buffalo.
All this talent had an immediate impact in helping Lemieux lead the Pens. The 1985–86 Pens team roared out of the NHL cellar, being a playoff contender until the final day of the season and missing them by one game as three teams with lesser records qualified. In 1986–87 the Penguins played hard and competitive all season, missing the playoffs by just two games and seeing four teams with equal or worse records qualify. 1987–88 saw the team again come agonizingly close to the playoffs. Missing them on the last day of the season by one game in the league's toughest division. The fact that six western teams with worse records qualified for the post-season given the league's playoff format was all the more heartbreaking.
1989–2001: The Lemieux-Jagr Era: two Cups and 12 playoffs in 13 seasons
Finally by 1988–89 Pittsburgh broke through, played consistently all season and made the playoffs, and made them big. The Pens shocked the
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
sweeping them in four games and outscoring them 19–11. The second round they met their
PennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
rivals, the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for a playoff classic that went seven games and saw Mario Lemieux score five goals in the fifth game. It was a breakout season for Lemieux in other ways, leading the league in five offensive categories including goals, assists and points. This included the famous night of December 31, 1988, where Lemieux became the only player in history to score a goal in all five possible game situations in the same game (even strength, shorthanded, penalty shot, power play, and empty net).
Though amassing 123 points, Lemieux missed 21 games in 1989–90 due to a herniated disk in his back, and the Pens slipped out of the playoff picture, the only time they would miss the postseason from 1989 to 2001.
In 1990–91, the Penguins reached the top of the standings. They drafted
CzechThe Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
right-winger
Jaromir JagrJaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
in the
1990 NHL Entry DraftThe 1990 National Hockey League Entry Draft was the 28th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Vancouver Canucks at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 16, 1990...
, the first player from his country to attend an NHL draft without having to defect, and then paired him with Lemieux to form the league's biggest one-two scoring threat since
Wayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
and
Jari KurriJari Pekka Kurri is a retired Finnish professional ice hockey right winger and a five-time Stanley Cup champion. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the general manager of Team Finland....
on the
Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
of the 1980s.
Mark RecchiMark Louis Recchi is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 22 years in the National Hockey League , most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens...
arrived from the minors,
Bryan TrottierBryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
signed on as a free agent, and
Joe MullenJoseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
, Larry Murphy,
Ron FrancisRonald Michael Francis, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, and
Ulf SamuelssonUlf Samuelsson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently the head coach of Modo Hockey of the Elitserien . He played for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.- Biography :He specialized in heavy body checks...
landed in Pittsburgh via trades. The Penguins finally became the league's best team, defeating the
Minnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
in the
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
finals in six games. After the
1991 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1991 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Minnesota North Stars. It was the Penguins' first Final series appearance and their first Stanley Cup victory. As of 2011, this is the first and only Stanley Cup Final to feature two teams from the...
, the Penguins visited the
White HouseThe White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
to meet President
George H. W. BushGeorge Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
. They were the first NHL team to ever visit the White House. The following season, the team lost coach Bob Johnson to
cancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, and
Scotty BowmanWilliam Scott "Scotty" Bowman is a retired National Hockey League head coach. He holds the record for most wins in league history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He coached the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
took over as coach. Under Bowman, they swept the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 1991–92.
CancerCancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
nearly dealt the Penguins a double whammy in 1993. Not only were they reeling from Johnson's death, but Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Only two months after the diagnosis, his comeback was one of the league's great "feel-good" stories of all time, missing 24 out of 84 games, but winning his fourth
Art Ross TrophyThe Art Ross Trophy is awarded to the National Hockey League player who leads the league in scoring points at the end of the regular season. It was presented to the NHL by former player, general manager, and head coach Art Ross. The trophy has been awarded 61 times to 25 players since its inception...
as scoring champion with 160 points scored, edging out
Pat LaFontainePatrick Michael LaFontaine is an American former ice hockey center in the National Hockey League who spent his entire career playing for the league's New York-based teams; LaFontaine skated for the New York Islanders from 1983 until 1991, the Buffalo Sabres from 1991 until 1997, and the New York...
and
Adam OatesAdam Oates is a retired professional ice hockey and lacrosse player and is currently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.-Playing career:Oates' break came when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offered him a scholarship...
for the award. Despite the off-ice difficulties, Pittsburgh finished with a 56–21–7 record, winning the franchise's first (and still only)
Presidents' TrophyThe Presidents' Trophy is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the team that finishes with the most points in the league during the regular season. If two teams tie for the most points, then the trophy goes to the team with the most wins. The winning team is also awarded C$350,000...
as the team with the most points in the regular season; the 119 points earned that year is still a franchise record. After Lemieux's return, the team played better than it ever had before, winning an NHL-record 17 consecutive games before tying the
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the final game of the season. Despite all of this success, they were still eliminated in the second round by the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in overtime of Game 7.
The Penguins continued to be a formidable team throughout the 1990s. The stars of the Stanley Cup years were followed by the likes of forwards
Alexei KovalevAlexei Vyacheslavovich "Alex" Kovalev is a Russian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League....
,
Martin StrakaMartin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:...
,
Aleksey MorozovAleksey Alekseyevich Morozov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, Robert Lang and
Petr NedvedPetr Nedvěd is a Czech Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League. He currently plays centre for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.- Biography :...
, and defensemen
Sergei ZubovSergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
,
Darius KasparaitisDarius Kasparaitis is a retired professional ice hockey defenseman. Known by the nickname Kaspar, he has dual citizenship in both the United States and Russia, and he has played for the Russian national ice hockey team.- Playing career :Kasparaitis left Lithuania for Russia at age 14 after...
and
Kevin HatcherKevin John Hatcher is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for 17 seasons between 1984 and 2001 for the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes...
. The Pens would use this talent to reach the first round of the playoffs in 1994, the second round in 1995 and in 1996 take the
Florida PanthersThe Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
to seven games in the conference finals to determine who would advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
1997 saw the franchise's playoff success continue but with a five-game first round exit to their cross-state rivals the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and Mario Lemieux's announced retirement. Because of Lemieux's achievements over the course of his career, the
Hockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
waived its three-year waiting period and inducted him as an Honored Member in the same year he retired. The captaincy was passed to Jagr and for the next 4 seasons, Jagr won 4 consecutive Art Ross Trophies. However, the Penguins were unable to match Jagr's individual success with a sustained playoff appearance, with a first round exit in 1998 despite being the second seeded team in the East followed by a second round exit in 1999 this time from eighth seed. In 2000 the Penguins stunned the highly touted Washington Capitals 4–1 in the first round only to fall to Philadelphia 4–2 in the second round.
Even in the midst of this success, the Penguins were in the midst of a battle for their survival. Their free-spending ways in the early 1990s came with a price; at one point they owed over $90 million to various creditors. Owners
Howard BaldwinHoward Baldwin is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the CEO of Baldwin Entertainment, which has produced films such as the Academy Award-nominated Ray. Baldwin founded the New England Whalers ice hockey franchise in the WHA and has also owned part of the Minnesota North Stars and...
and
Morris BelzbergMorris Belzberg is a Canadian born businessman, who has lived in the United States since approximately 1966. He is the former owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. He won the Stanley Cup with the team in 1992.- Background :Belzberg was the Chairman of Budget Rent A Car...
(who bought the Penguins after their first Cup win) asked the players to defer their salaries to help pay the bills. When the deferred salaries finally came due, combined with other financial pressures, the Penguins were forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 1998. For much of the 1998-99 season, it looked like the Penguins would either move or fold.
At this point, Lemieux stepped in with an unusual proposal. Years of deferred salary adding up to $30 million made him one of the team's largest creditors. He proposed to recover this money by converting it into equity and buying the team, and promised to keep it in Pittsburgh. The league and the court agreed, and Lemieux, with help from supermarket tycoon
Ronald BurkleRonald Wayne Burkle is an American business magnate and investor. A major political fundraiser, he is listed on the Forbes 400, with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion in 2011.-Life and career:...
, assumed control on September 3, 1999—thus saving the franchise for the second time.
Lemieux shocked the hockey world by deciding to come back as a player on December 27, 2000, having gained a stake in ownership of the franchise in 1999, becoming the first player–owner in NHL history. Lemieux helped lead the Penguins deep into the 2001 playoffs, highlighted by an overtime victory against the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in Game 7 of the second round. Kasparaitis scored the series-clinching goal to advance the Penguins to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost in 5 games to the
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. No one realized it at the time, but it would be an end of an era.
2002–2006: Bankruptcy and losing seasons
Jagr was traded to the
Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
along with
Frantisek KuceraFrantišek Kučera is a retired Czech professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.-Playing career:Originally...
for prospects
Kris BeechKristopher Beech is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, currently playing for Rauman Lukko in the Finnish elite league SM-Liiga.-Playing career:...
,
Michal SivekMichal Sivek is a former professional ice hockey player who last played for Sparta Praha. He was one of three players acquired from the Washington Capitals for Jaromír Jágr.-Retirement:...
, and
Ross LupaschukRoss Lupaschuk is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Cologne Sharks.-Juniors:Lupaschuk played his junior-level hockey in the Western Hockey League for five seasons with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince Albert Raiders and Red Deer Rebels...
, and $4.9 million in the summer of 2001. In 2002 they missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, finishing in a tie for third-to-last in the conference. Further financial difficulties saw them trade
Alexei KovalevAlexei Vyacheslavovich "Alex" Kovalev is a Russian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League....
to the
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
the next season, quickly followed by the departure of Lang in free agency. The 2002-03 season was little better, with the team finishing next-to-last in the conference.
In the
2003 NHL Entry DraftThe 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21, 2003.Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, only the third goalie in NHL history selected as the first overall draft choice...
, the Penguins picked with their first-overall selection goaltender
Marc-Andre FleuryMarc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
. The highly rated Fleury did not play most of the season for the Penguins for this reason. The Penguins signed new head coach (and former Penguin and commentator) Eddie Olczyk. Lemieux suffered a hip injury early in the season, and he sat out the rest of the season to recover. The Pens then traded Straka away to the
Los Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The Penguins finished with the worst record in the NHL, winning just 23 games, but were unable to secure the first overall draft pick as they lost the draft lottery for the
2004 NHL Entry DraftThe 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
to the
Washington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
.
Alexander OvechkinAlexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
went to Washington, but the Penguins did select
Evgeni MalkinEvgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
with the second overall pick, a pick that would help to propel them back to a competitive level in future years.
The Penguins have suffered small-market syndrome for most of their pre-salary cap existence, and cost-cutting prevented another collapse into insolvency. Financially, the team was one of the better-managed NHL franchises between its 1998 bankruptcy and the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Thanks to significant post-season runs, the Penguins broke even in 2000 and turned a small profit in 2001. Failure to make the playoffs in the next three seasons hurt the team's bottom line, but the shedding of contracts (such as Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka) kept the team afloat as other franchises, like the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, faced significant losses or declared bankruptcy. In the 2003–04 season, they had the lowest average attendance of any team, with just 11,278 fans per game.
However, by 2005, the Penguins had paid off all of their creditors, both secured and unsecured. In fact, the court approved Lemieux's plan largely because it was intended to pay everyone the team owed.
With the 2004–05 NHL season canceled due to the NHL lockout, several Penguins signed with the club's
American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, while experienced players like
Aleksey MorozovAleksey Alekseyevich Morozov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League...
and
Milan KraftMilan Kraft is a Czech professional ice hockey centre. He was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft....
honed their talents in the elite European leagues. Morozov and Kraft would stay in the elite European leagues after the 2004–05 NHL lockout.
The Penguins won an unprecedented draft lottery, and on July 22, 2005, for the
2005 NHL Entry DraftThe 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft.As a lockout cancelled the games of the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years...
the Penguins chose highly touted junior league player
Sidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
from the
Rimouski OceanicThe Rimouski Océanic are a junior ice hockey team in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League . The franchise was granted for the 1969–70 season...
of the
Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
.
With a new Collective Bargaining Agreement signed by the owners and players to end the 2004–05 NHL lockout, the Penguins began rebuilding the team under a salary cap. They signed big-name free agents
Sergei GoncharSergei Viktorovich Gonchar is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
,
John LeClairJohn Clark LeClair is an American former professional ice hockey left winger who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, and Pittsburgh Penguins...
, and
Zigmund PalffyŽigmund "Ziggy" Pálffy is a Slovak professional ice hockey player of Hungarian origin, who plays for HK 36 Skalica of the Slovak Extraliga....
, and traded for goaltender
Jocelyn ThibaultJocelyn Thibault is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres...
. However,
Evgeni MalkinEvgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
, the Penguins'
2004 NHL Entry DraftThe 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
selection with their 2nd overall pick, could not come to Pittsburgh immediately due to a dispute with his Russian league.
The team began the season with a long winless skid that resulted in a coaching change from Olczyk to
Michel TherrienMichel Therrien is a hockey scout for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. Prior to that he was a player and head coach for the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Therrien coached the Canadiens for three seasons, taking them to the Eastern Conference semi-finals in the...
. Palffy announced his retirement due to a lingering shoulder injury while the team's second-leading scorer. Then on January 24, 2006, Lemieux announced his second retirement, this time for good, after developing an
irregular heart beatAtrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia . It is a common cause of irregular heart beat, identified clinically by taking a pulse. Chaotic electrical activity in the two upper chambers of the heart result in the muscle fibrillating , instead of achieving coordinated contraction...
. He finished as the NHL's seventh all-time scorer (1,723), eighth in goals (690) and tenth in assists (1,033), but also with the second highest career points per game average (1.88), which is second to
Wayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
's 1.92.
As the poor season continued, Crosby had a highly productive rookie season. On the Penguins' final game of the season, Crosby scored a goal and an assist to become the top scoring rookie in Penguins history with 102 points (eclipsing Lemieux who previously held the record), despite losing the rookie scoring race to Russian superstar
Alexander OvechkinAlexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
, who had, unlike Malkin who was also set to debut this season, been able to make his way to the NHL. The Penguins posted the worst record of the Eastern Conference and the highest goals-against in the league. They received the second overall draft pick after losing the lottery in the 2006 NHL Draft and picked
Jordan StaalJordan Lee Staal is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
, the third of four Staal brothers in hockey.
The team announced on April 20 that the contract for General Manager
Craig PatrickCraig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick...
would not be renewed. Patrick had been GM since December 1989. On May 25,
Ray SheroRejean "Ray" Shero is the current general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hired on May 25, 2006, replacing Craig Patrick. He is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers coach Fred Shero....
signed a five-year contract as General Manager.
2006–present: The Crosby-Malkin Era
Change came for the Penguins on October 18, 2006, when the rookie
Evgeni MalkinEvgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
made his NHL debut. He went on to set the modern NHL record with a goal in each of his first six games. On February 27, 2007, the Penguins acquired Gary Roberts from
FloridaThe Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
and
Georges LaraqueGeorges Laraque is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward, who last played with the Montreal Canadiens before his contract was bought out in 2010. He is also a host for CFRN and deputy leader of the Green Party of Canada. During his NHL career he played for the Edmonton Oilers,...
from
PhoenixThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. Malkin would go on to tally points in 16 consecutive games with 14 wins and 2 OT losses in early 2007. The streak ended on February 19 with a last-minute loss to the
New York IslandersThe New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. It was the second longest point streak in club history.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had to deal with a number of threats to relocate. As early as the mid-1970s, with the Penguins struggling to make the playoffs, the ownership group experienced cash flow issues and sought to sell the team, even if it meant
relocationRelocation of professional sports teams is a practice which involves a sporting franchise moving from one metropolitan area to another, although occasionally moves between municipalities in the same conurbation are also included...
. A decade later, a similar financial situation faced the team. As recently as the
2006–07 seasonThe Pittsburgh Penguins 2006–07 Season was ripe with potential, as the team featured one of the largest groups of young stars in the National Hockey League. Evgeni Malkin, the second overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, defected from Russia prior to the season and joined the team. He...
, nearing the end of their most recent draft rebuild, the franchise ownership sought alternatives that would provide a
returnReturns, in economics and political economy, are the distributions or payments awarded to the various suppliers of the factors of production.-Wages:...
on their
investmentInvestment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
. Various prospective owners sought to buy the team; however, the Lemieux Group eventually decided to keep ownership rather than move the team to the highest bidder, thus resulting in the Penguins being set to remain in Pittsburgh. As in the mid-70s and 80s, the fanbase and local government officials were successful in persuading the ownership that Pittsburgh and the surrounding region were capable of meeting the needs of a modern NHL team. The possible relocation sites about which there was the greatest speculation and discussion were Houston,
Kansas CityKansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
,
Oklahoma CityOklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
and Hamilton, Ontario. The decision to keep the team in Pittsburgh proved favorable, as the Penguins enjoyed franchise-record home crowds throughout the 2007–08 NHL season and
2008 Stanley Cup playoffsThe 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 9, 2008, after the 2007–08 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions...
– which were more successful given the presence of young superstar Evgeni Malkin – in some cases, their home playoff games were sold out in minutes.
On March 13, 2007, in a joint announcement by
Pennsylvania Governor Ed RendellEdward Gene "Ed" Rendell is an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected Governor of Pennsylvania in 2002, and his term of office began January 21, 2003...
,
Allegheny CountyAllegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh...
Chief ExecutiveA county executive is the head of the executive branch of government in a county. This position is common in the United States.The executive may be an elected or an appointed position...
Dan OnoratoDaniel "Dan" Onorato is the current Chief Executive of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. On Tuesday, May 18, 2010, Onorato won a crowded four-way primary to become the Democratic nominee for governor...
, Pittsburgh Mayor
Luke RavenstahlLuke Robert Ravenstahl is the current Mayor of Pittsburgh. In September 2006, he became the youngest mayor in Pittsburgh's history at the age of 26. He is among the youngest mayors of a major city in American history....
, and
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
of the Pittsburgh Penguins ownership group, it was made public that an agreement had been reached between the parties. A new state-of-the-art multi-purpose arena, the Consol Energy Center, will be built, guaranteeing that the Penguins will remain in Pittsburgh. Following the announcement of this plan, the Lemieux ownership group announced that they no longer have plans to sell the team.
On June 8, 2007, a $325 million
bondIn finance, a bond is a debt security, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and, depending on the terms of the bond, is obliged to pay interest to use and/or to repay the principal at a later date, termed maturity...
was issued and the Penguins signed a 30-year
leaseA lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the lessee to pay the lessor for use of an asset. A rental agreement is a lease in which the asset is tangible property...
, binding the Penguins to the city of Pittsburgh for the next 30 years, and the lease agreement was signed on September 19. On May 6, 2008, the Pittsburgh planning commission unanimously approved the final design. The arena will include a glass
atriumIn modern architecture, an atrium is a large open space, often several stories high and having a glazed roof and/or large windows, often situated within a larger multistory building and often located immediately beyond the main entrance doors...
overlooking downtown Pittsburgh and rooftop lights shining into the sky. The new $290 million dollar arena is expected to open in time for the 2010–11 NHL season. On August 14, 2008, the ground breaking ceremony for the new arena was held, thus officially beginning construction on the new facility. On December 15, 2008, it was announced by the Penguins they had entered into an agreement with Consol Energy on a 21 year deal for naming rights to the new arena.
The Penguins finished the 2006–07 season in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 47–24–11, totaling 105 points, only two points behind the division winner,
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. It was the franchise's first 100-point season in 11 years, and represented a healthy 47-point leap from the previous season. In the first round of the
2007 Stanley Cup playoffsThe 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 11, 2007. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the conference champions played a best-of-7 series for the...
, the Penguins were defeated 4–1, by Stanley Cup runners-up, the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. At the season's end, rookies Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal were finalists for the
Calder Memorial TrophyThe Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
, awarded to the Rookie of the Year, which Malkin won.
After a mediocre start to the 2007–08 season, Crosby and starting goaltender Fleury were both injured long-term due to high right ankle sprains. In their absence, the Penguins flourished due to the play and leadership of center Evgeni Malkin and backup goaltender
Ty ConklinTy Curtis Conklin is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
. The Penguins markedly improved in January, and fell no lower than the third seed in the East from that point onward. On February 26, the Penguins would acquire Atlanta star right winger
Marian HossaMarián Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League . Hossa was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft; after playing for the Senators, he played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
and forward
Pascal DupuisPascal Dupuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
at the NHL trade deadline, relinquishing
Colby ArmstrongColby Joseph Armstrong is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is an alternate captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.-Early life:...
,
Erik ChristensenErik Christensen is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
,
Angelo EspositoAngelo Esposito is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League and is a prospect for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
, and a first round pick in the
2008 NHL Entry DraftThe 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...
. The Penguins also acquired defensemen
Hal GillHarold Priestley "Hal" Gill III is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and an alternate captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
from the
Toronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for a second round pick in the
2008 NHL Entry DraftThe 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...
and a fifth round pick in the
2009 NHL Entry DraftThe 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
.
On April 2, 2008, the Penguins clinched the Atlantic Division title—their first division title in 10 years—with a 4–2 win against rivals the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. However, they closed the season with a loss to the Flyers on the next night, relegating them to the second seed in the East behind the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. The Pens had spent most of the second half going back and forth with the Habs for first place in the East. Evgeni Malkin finished the season with 106 points for second place in the league just behind Washington's
Alexander OvechkinAlexander Mikhaylovich Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League...
and become a finalist for the
Hart Memorial TrophyThe Hart Memorial Trophy, originally known as the Hart Trophy, the "oldest and most prestigious individual award in hockey", is awarded annually to the "player adjudged most valuable to his team" in the National Hockey League . The Hart Memorial Trophy has been awarded 86 times to 53 different...
. This was the first time that neither the
New Jersey Devils nor the Philadelphia FlyersThe rivalry between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League is a rivalry between two teams in the Atlantic Division...
won the Atlantic Division since the New York Rangers won the inaugural one, when they won the
1994 Stanley CupThe 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
.
The team launched into their first extended playoff run in many years, beating Ottawa 4–0, defeating the New York Rangers 4–1 and then defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 4–1 to clinch the
Prince of Wales TrophyThe Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
. Pittsburgh went on to lose the
2008 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2008 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2007–08 season. As a culmination of the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings defeated the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh...
to the
Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in six games, finishing the playoffs with a 14–6 record. Sidney Crosby finished the playoffs with 27 points (6g, 21a in 20 games), tying Conn Smythe-winner Henrik Zetterberg (13g, 14a in 22 games) for the playoff scoring lead.
2008–09 season: Third Stanley Cup
In the
2008–09 seasonThe 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, Malkin won the Art Ross by narrowly defeating rival Ovechkin in the points race and was a candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy for MVP. Crosby finished third in league scoring with 33 goals and 70 assists for 103 points despite missing 5 games. The Penguins' record dipped mid-season but lifted after head coach Michel Therrien was replaced by
Dan BylsmaDan Bylsma is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as of February 15, 2009, replacing Michel Therrien. Prior to coaching the Penguins, he played as a forward in the NHL and coached in the American Hockey League . He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1989...
and defenseman
Sergei GoncharSergei Viktorovich Gonchar is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
returned from injury. The effect was almost instantaneous and the Penguins recovered enough to secure home ice advantage in their first round matchup against the
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, whom the Penguins defeated in six games. The next round was highly publicized due to the presence of Crosby, Ovechkin, and Malkin. The series took all seven games for the Penguins to win, sending them to the Eastern Conference Finals where they beat the
Carolina HurricanesThe Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
in four games. After defeating the Hurricanes, the Penguins earned their second consecutive trip to the
Stanley Cup FinalsThe Red Wings took Game 1, 3–1, as three different Detroit players scored goals off of unusual bounces. The first period featured back and forth action, with each team having a variety of chances...
against the
Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, to whom they had lost the previous. After losing Games 1 and 2 in Detroit, just like the previous years, the Penguins won Games 3 and 4 in Pittsburgh. Each team won on home ice in Games 5 and 6. In Game 7 in Detroit, Max Talbot scored two goals and the Penguins won 2–1 to earn their third
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
.
2009-10 season: The Last Season at Mellon Arena
On Friday October 2, the Penguins season got underway against the
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. It was the last home opener at the Mellon Arena and it was also the night the team raised the championship banner. The Penguins started the season by winning a franchise record seven road games to start a season. For the second straight year the Penguins finished the season in second place behind New Jersey. Crosby scored 109 points (51 goals, 58 assists) in 81 games finishing second in scoring to Henrik Sedins 112 points (29 goals, 83 assists) in 82 games. Crosbys 51 goals earning him the Maurice Rocket Richard Trophy awarded to the leading goal scorer of the NHL. The Penguins seeded 4th in the conference started their title defense against the
Ottawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The Penguins lost Game 1 5-4 but went on to win the next 3. With the Penguins up 3-1 in their series, they looked to close out the series in 5 games. Game 5 went to 3 overtimes before
Matt CarknerMatthew Carkner is a Canadian is a professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
won the game. The Penguins won Game 6 in overtime despite being down 3-0 early in the game. In the next round the Penguins faced the
Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
. The teams would swap wins with the Penguins taking a 3-2 series lead. The Penguins lost Game 6 4-3. In Game 7, the Penguins never got off on the right foot and lost 5-2 ending their season and their tenure at the
Mellon ArenaCivic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
. In a weird twist, the Canadiens open and closed the Mellon Arena with wins.
Logos and uniforms
With the exception of the 1992–2001 period, the Penguins have used a variation of the "skating penguin" logo since the team's inception. For their inaugural season, the logo featured a hefty-looking skating penguin wearing a scarf, on a yellow triangle inside a circle reading "Pittsburgh Penguins". The yellow triangle is a reference to the
Golden TriangleDowntown Pittsburgh, colloquially referred to as the Golden Triangle and officially the Central Business District, is the urban Downtown center of Pittsburgh. It is located at the confluence of the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River whose joining forms the Ohio River. The "triangle" is...
in the city of Pittsburgh. General manager Jack Riley felt the team's name and logo were ridiculous, and refused to have either appear on the team's uniforms, which featured only the word "PITTSBURGH" diagonally. A refined version of the logo appeared on a redesigned uniform in the second season, which removed the scarf and gave the penguin a sleeker, "meaner" look. The circle encompassing the logo was removed mid-season in 1971–72.
The team's colors were originally
powder bluePowder blue may refer to two different colors.The paler variant is often associated with powder snow.-Powder blue :The web color powder blue is shown on the right....
,
navy blueNavy blue is a very dark shade of the color blue which almost appears as black. Navy blue got its name from the dark blue worn by officers in the British Royal Navy since 1748 and subsequently adopted by other navies around the world....
, and white. The powder blue was changed to
royal blueRoyal blue describes both a bright shade and a dark shade of azure blue. It is said to have been invented by millers in Rode, Somerset, a consortium of which won a competition to make a dress for the British queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz....
in 1973, but returned in 1977 when navy became the predominant uniform color. The team adopted the current black and gold color scheme in January 1980 (the announcement was made at halftime of
Super Bowl XIVSuper Bowl XIV was an American football game played on January 20, 1980 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 1979 regular season...
) to unify the colors of the city's professional sports teams, although like the
PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
and
SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, the shade of gold more closely resembled yellow. The change was not without controversy, as the
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
protested by claiming to own the rights to the black and gold colors. However the Penguins cited the colors worn by the now-defunct NHL team
Pittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates were an American professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League , based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1925–26 to 1929–30. The nickname comes from the baseball team also based in the city...
in the 1920s, thus were able to secure permission to use the black and gold colors.
This would remain unchanged until the 1992–93 season, when the team unveiled new uniforms and a new logo. The logo featured a modern-looking "flying penguin". Although the logo survived in various forms for 15 years, it received mixed responses from fans and was never as widely accepted as the "skating penguin" logo. Longtime
KDKAKDKA-TV, channel 2, is an owned and operated television station of the CBS Television Network, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. KDKA-TV broadcasts from a transmitter located in the Perry North neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and its studios are located in downtown Pittsburgh at Gateway Center....
anchor
Bill BurnsWilliam M. "Bill" Burns was an American journalist and news anchor.Burns anchored the news for over three decades in Pittsburgh for KDKA, which was the largest station in the market.- Career :...
even went as far as calling the penguin in the logo "a pigeon."
After
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
(a personal fan of the "skating penguin" logo) purchased the team from bankruptcy court in 1999, he announced plans to bring back the "skating penguin" logo. This occurred for the 2000–01 season, when the team revived the logo (albeit with a "Vegas gold" triangle instead of yellow) on the chest of the team's new
alternate jerseysA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
. In 2002-2003, the logo became the primary logo, and the "flying penguin" logo (also with a "Vegas gold" triangle instead of yellow) was relegated to secondary status, and only on the shoulders of the team's jerseys, until it was quietly retired in 2007 when the team introduced their version of the Rbk Edge uniforms.
The uniforms themselves have changed several times over the years. The original jerseys from the team's first season had diagonal text reading "Pittsburgh". Currently, only images of these uniforms survive, although the jersey is available in
NHL Hitz 20-03NHL Hitz 2003, also known as NHL Hitz 20-03, is a hockey video game developed by Black Box Games and Exient Entertainment, and published by Midway Games. The game was released on the Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, as well as Game Boy Advance...
and several
EA SportsEA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
NHL seriesNHL is a series of professional ice hockey simulation video games developed by EA Canada and published yearly by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports brand...
games as an alternate jersey for the team. The uniforms themselves were discovered nearly thirty years later in a garbage bag by a
Civic ArenaCivic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
employee at the arena. Due to the years of neglect in the bag, the uniforms were damaged beyond repair. The following season, a revised version of the logo was used on a completely redesigned uniform. Player names were first added in 1970.
Until 1977, the team had some minor striping patterns on the jerseys change every few years. But in 1977, the team basically adopted their longest-lasting uniform style to date and a style they would wear for the next 16 seasons, winning the
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
twice in the process. When the colors were swapped from blue and white to black and gold in 1980, the uniform patterns themselves remained unchanged. This was likely due to the fact that the change was made in the middle of the season. From the 1981–82 season to the 1984–85 season, the team had a gold
"Sunday" jerseyA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
, called as such because the team only worn them on Sundays. This was a rare example of an NHL team having a
third jerseyA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
before the rule allowing such jerseys was officially implemented in 1995.
After winning their second
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1992, the team completely redesigned their uniforms and introduced the "flying penguin" logo. The team's away uniforms were somewhat of a throwback to the team's first season, as they revived the diagonal "Pittsburgh" script. In 1995, the team introduced their second
alternate jerseyA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
, which was a black Penguins jersey with the team's logo and had blue accents, an obvious throwback to the original team colors. This jersey would prove to be so popular that the team adopted it as their away jersey in 1997.
In 2000, the team unveiled yet another
alternate jerseyA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
, the aforementioned black jersey featuring the revival of the "skating penguin" logo. This would later prove to be a test to see how the revived logo would do with fans, and the following season became the team's away uniform with a white version as the team's home jersey. When the Rbk Edge jerseys were unveiled for the 2007–08 season leaguewide, the Penguins made some major striping pattern changes and quietly removed the "flying penguin" logo from the shoulders. They also added a "Pittsburgh 250" gold circular patch to the shoulders to commemorate the 250th birthday of the city of Pittsburgh.
While the Penguins, as with the rest of the NHL, have worn their dark jerseys at home since the league made the initiative to do so starting with the 2003–04 NHL season, the team wore their white jerseys in some home games during the 2007–08 NHL season and at least once during the
2008–09 NHL seasonThe 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, as well as wearing their powder blue, 1968–72
throwbacksThrowback uniforms and jerseys are one-time or limited-time variations on a sports team's uniforms styled to resemble uniforms from that team's past. They have proven popular in all major pro and college sports in the USA, not only with fans, but with the teams' marketing and merchandising...
against the
Buffalo SabresThe Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the
AMP Energy NHL Winter ClassicThe 2008 NHL Winter Classic also known as the AMP Energy NHL Winter Classic was a National Hockey League game played on January 1, 2008, at 1:27 p.m. ET, outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. It was the first regular-season outdoor professional ice hockey game to be played in...
. On November 5, 2008, this jersey was introduced as the current third jersey. This was worn for select home games during the
2008–09The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, 2009-2010 and
2010–11 seasonsThe 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
. This throwback was supposedly to be retired with the introduction of a new dark blue
third jerseyA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
that made its debut at the
2011 NHL Winter ClassicThe 2011 NHL Winter Classic was the fourth edition of the annual outdoor ice hockey game held by the National Hockey League as a regular season game. The Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Washington Capitals at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on January 1, 2011 at 8:00 p.m...
at
Heinz FieldHeinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
but it has been worn at several games since the Winter Classic. The new 2011 Winter Classic jersey was first worn as the third jersey against the LA Kings on February 10, 2011.
For the 2011-2012 season, the 2011 Winter Classic jersey is now the team's official
third uniformA third jersey or alternate jersey is a sports team's alternate and/or throwback design for the previously established other two jerseys, the home and away outfits. Alternate jerseys are used in all four of the North American major professional sports leagues as well as college sports, semipro...
, with the 2008 Winter Classic uniform being retired.
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Penguins.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Records as of April 10, 2011.
| Season |
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
Pts |
GF |
GA |
Finish |
Playoffs |
| 2006–07 |
82 |
47 |
24 |
11 |
105 |
277 |
246 |
2nd, Atlantic |
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1-4 (SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
) |
| 2007–08 |
82 |
47 |
27 |
8 |
102 |
247 |
216 |
1st, Atlantic |
Lost in Finals, 2-4 (Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
) |
2008–09The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
|
82 |
45 |
28 |
9 |
99 |
264 |
239 |
2nd, Atlantic |
Stanley Cup ChampionsThe Red Wings took Game 1, 3–1, as three different Detroit players scored goals off of unusual bounces. The first period featured back and forth action, with each team having a variety of chances...
, 4-3 (Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
) |
2009–10The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
|
82 |
47 |
28 |
7 |
101 |
257 |
237 |
2nd, Atlantic |
Lost in Conference Semifinals, 3-4 (CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
) |
| 2010–11 The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
|
82 |
49 |
25 |
8 |
106 |
238 |
199 |
2nd, Atlantic |
Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3-4 (LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
) |
Hall of Famers
Players
- Andy Bathgate
Andrew James Bathgate is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
, RW, (1967–68, 1970–71) inducted 1978
- Leo Boivin
Léo Joseph Boivin is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Minnesota North Stars.-Playing career:Leo Boivin began playing hockey at seven years...
, D, (1967–69) inducted 1986
- Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
, D, (1987–92) inducted 2004
- Ron Francis
Ronald Michael Francis, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs...
, C, (1990–98) inducted 2007
- Tim Horton
Myles Gilbert "Tim" Horton was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in 24 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He was also a businessman and a co-founder of Tim Hortons. He died in an...
, D, (1971–72) inducted 1977
- Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, C, (1984–97, 2000–06) inducted 1997
- Joe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
, RW, (1990–95, 1996–97) inducted 2000
- Larry Murphy, D, (1990–95) inducted 2004
- Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During his 19-season National Hockey League career, Robitaille won a Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, but is most known for his fourteen seasons,...
, LW, (1995) inducted 2009
- Bryan Trottier
Bryan John Trottier is a retired Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the...
, C, (1990–94) inducted 1997
Builders
- Scotty Bowman
William Scott "Scotty" Bowman is a retired National Hockey League head coach. He holds the record for most wins in league history, with 1,244 wins in the regular season and 223 in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He coached the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and...
, director of player development & head coach, (1990–93) inducted 1991
- Bob Johnson, head coach, (1990–91) inducted 1992
- Craig Patrick
Craig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick...
, GM & head coach, (1989–06) inducted 2001
- Herb Brooks
Herbert Paul Brooks, Jr. was an American ice hockey player and coach. He notably coached the United States' men's hockey team to a 4-3 upset of the heavily favored Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York on February 22, 1980...
, head coach, (1999–2000), head scout (1994–99, 2000–03) inducted 2006
Other
- Media - Mike Lange
Mike Lange is the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster....
, broadcaster (1974–75, 1976–present) inducted 2001 - Foster Hewitt Memorial AwardThe Foster Hewitt Memorial Award is an award named after Foster Hewitt and presented by the Hockey Hall of Fame to members of the radio and television industry who make outstanding contributions to their profession and the game of ice hockey during their broadcasting career...
- Media - Dave Molinari
Dave Molinari is an American sports journalist for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Molinari attended Elizabeth Forward High School and Penn State...
, Newspaper Writer Pittsburgh Post-GazetteThe Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
inducted 2009 - Elmer Ferguson Memorial AwardThe Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award is an award given "in recognition of distinguished members of the newspaper profession whose words have brought honour to journalism and to hockey". Recipients are selected by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and gain automatic entrance into the Hockey...
Penguins Hall of Fame
- Bob Johnson, head coach (1990–91) inducted 1992
- Jean Pronovost
Jean Joseph Denis Pronovost is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Flames and Washington Capitals...
, RW (1968–78) inducted 1992
- Rick Kehoe
Rick Thomas Kehoe is a retired professional ice hockey player and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
, RW (1974–85) inducted 1992
- Syl Apps, Jr.
Sylvanus Marshall Apps, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
, C (1970–78) inducted 1994
- Edward J. DeBartolo Sr.
Edward John DeBartolo, Sr. was an American businessman who is widely regarded as the father of the American shopping mall...
, owner (1977–91) inducted 1996
- Dave Burrows
David James Burrows is a retired Canadian professional hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs. He started his NHL career in 1971, and played through 1981...
, D (1971–78, 1980–82) inducted 1996
- Elaine Heufelder, front office (1967–2003) inducted 1996
- Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, C (1984–97, 2000–06), owner (1999–present) inducted 1999
- Jack Riley
John Patrick "Jack" Riley is a retired professional ice hockey player and executive. He was born in Toronto, Ontario.Riley played nine seasons of professional hockey, primarily in the Eastern Hockey League for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Falcons and Washington Lions...
, GM (1967–70, 1972–74) inducted 1999
- Joe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
, RW (1990–95, 1996–97) inducted 2000
- Craig Patrick
Craig Patrick is a former American hockey player, coach and general manager, the son of Lynn Patrick and the grandson of Lester Patrick...
, GM (1989–2006) inducted 2001
- Mike Lange
Mike Lange is the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster....
, broadcaster (1974–75, 1976–present) inducted 2001
- Anthony "A.T." Caggiano, locker room (1967–2000) inducted 2001
- Les Binkley
Leslie John Binkley is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Binkley played goaltender in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the World Hockey Association for the Ottawa Nationals and Toronto Toros...
, G (1967–1972) inducted 2003
- Ulf Samuelsson
Ulf Samuelsson is a retired Swedish professional ice hockey player and currently the head coach of Modo Hockey of the Elitserien . He played for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Philadelphia Flyers.- Biography :He specialized in heavy body checks...
, D (1991–1995) inducted 2003
- Vince Lascheid
Vince Lascheid was a prominent Pittsburgh organist, best known as the organist for the Pittsburgh Pirates from the 1960s to 2009 and from 1970-2003 the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was inducted into the Penguins' Hall of Fame....
, organist (1970–2003) inducted 2003
- Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
, D (1987–1992) inducted 2007
- Frank Sciulli, locker room (1967–2007) inducted 2007
Retired numbers
- 21 Michel Briere
Michel Edouard Brière was an NHL hockey player whose life and career was cut short due to an automobile accident in 1970.-Playing career:...
, C (1969–70) taken out of circulation following his death (1971) but not officially retired until January 5, 2001
- 66 Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, C (1984–97) & (2000–06) number retired November 19, 1997; his number was "unretired" when he began his comeback on December 27, 2000. '66' was then re-retired on October 5, 2006.
- 99 Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, C: Number retired league-wide by NHL on February 6, 2000 (No official banner at Consol Energy Center)
Penguins' Ring of Honor
A mural honoring members of the franchise's "Millennium Team", it was first displayed September 26, 2003. This was a permanent display at
Mellon ArenaCivic Arena is an indoor arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is currently undergoing demolition. It was the first retractable roof major sports venue in the world, covering 170,000 sq. feet and constructed with just shy of 3,000 tons of Pittsburgh steel...
until it's demolition, designed to honor past greats without having to retire their numbers. Current members are:
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Penguins player
| Player |
Seasons |
Pos |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
P/G |
Mario LemieuxMario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
|
1984–1997,
2000–2006 |
C |
915 |
690 |
1033 |
1723 |
1.88 |
Jaromir JagrJaromír Jágr is a Czech professional ice hockey right winger who plays for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League . Jágr formerly played with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and New York Rangers, serving as captain of the Penguins and the Rangers...
|
1990–2001 |
RW |
806 |
439 |
640 |
1079 |
1.34 |
| Rick Kehoe Rick Thomas Kehoe is a retired professional ice hockey player and coach, most notably for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
|
1974–1985 |
RW |
722 |
312 |
324 |
636 |
.88 |
Ron FrancisRonald Michael Francis, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 23 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs...
|
1990–1998 |
C |
533 |
164 |
449 |
613 |
1.15 |
| Jean Pronovost Jean Joseph Denis Pronovost is a retired professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Flames and Washington Capitals...
|
1968–1978 |
RW |
753 |
316 |
287 |
603 |
.80 |
Sidney CrosbySidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
* |
2005–Present |
C |
412 |
205 |
367 |
572 |
1.39 |
| Kevin Stevens Kevin "Artie" Stevens is a retired ice hockey player and current NHL scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played left wing on a line with Mario Lemieux during the Penguins' Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992...
|
1987–1995,
2000–2002 |
LW |
522 |
260 |
295 |
555 |
1.06 |
| Syl Apps, Jr. Sylvanus Marshall Apps, Jr. is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins.-Playing career:...
|
1970–1978 |
C |
495 |
151 |
349 |
500 |
1.01 |
Martin StrakaMartin Straka is a Czech ice hockey centre who plays for HC Plzeň 1929 of the Czech Extraliga. He is also the club's general manager and co-owner.-Playing career:...
|
1992–1995,
1997–2004 |
C |
560 |
165 |
277 |
442 |
.79 |
Paul CoffeyPaul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
|
1987–1992 |
D |
331 |
108 |
332 |
440 |
1.33 |
Franchise individual records
Season
- Most goals in a season: Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, 85 (1988–89)
- Most assists in a season: Mario Lemieux, 114 (1988–89)
- Most points in a season: Mario Lemieux, 199 (1988–89)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Paul Baxter
Paul Gordon Baxter was an National Hockey League defenceman from 1979 to 1987 and an NHL assistant coach for eleven seasons. He was coaching the Wenatchee Wild in the NAHL before his firing in late November 2010...
, 409 (1981–82)
- Most points in a season, defenseman: Paul Coffey
Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey defenceman in the National Hockey League. Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in career goals, assists, and points, behind Ray Bourque.-Playing career:Coffey was drafted 6th...
, 113 (1988–89)
- Most points in a season, rookie: Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
, 102 (2005–06)
- Most wins in a season: Tom Barrasso
Thomas Patrick Barrasso is a retired American professional ice hockey goaltender who played 18 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St...
, 43 (1992–93)
Playoffs
- Most Goals in a playoff season: Kevin Stevens
Kevin "Artie" Stevens is a retired ice hockey player and current NHL scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He played left wing on a line with Mario Lemieux during the Penguins' Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992...
, 17 (1990–91)
- Most Assists in a playoff Season: Mario Lemieux, 28 (1990–91)
- Most Points in a playoff Season: Mario Lemieux, 44 (1990–91)
- Most Points in a playoff Season, defenseman: Larry Murphy, 23 (1990–91)
- Most wins in a playoff season: Tom Barrasso, 16 (1991–92) and Marc-Andre Fleury
Marc-André Fleury is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League...
, 16 (2008–09)
- Lowest goals against average in a playoff season: Ron Tugnutt
Ronald Frederick Bradley Tugnutt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the NHL with several teams from 1987–2004 and is currently an assistant coach with the OHL's Peterborough Petes.-Early years:Tugnutt was born in Scarborough, Ontario and played three seasons...
, 1.77 (1999–2000)
- Highest save percentage in a playoff season: Ron Tugnutt, .945% (1999–2000)
- Most playoff shutouts: Tom Barrasso, 6
- Most shutouts in a playoff season: Marc-Andre Fleury, 3 (2007–08)
- Most consecutive games in a single playoff with multiple points: Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
, 6 (2009)
Current staff
- Owner(s) – Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, OC, CQ is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is acknowledged to be one of the best players of all time. He played 17 seasons as a forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League between 1984 and 2006...
, Ron Burkle
- Chairman – Mario Lemieux
- President/Chief Executive Officer – David Morehouse
David Morehouse is a former political official and currently President and Chief Executive Officer of Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League....
- Executive Vice President/General Manager – Ray Shero
Rejean "Ray" Shero is the current general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hired on May 25, 2006, replacing Craig Patrick. He is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers coach Fred Shero....
- Assistant General Manager – Jason Botterill
-International:-External links:...
- Assistant to the General Manager – Tom Fitzgerald
- Director of Player Personnel – Dan MacKinnon
- Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting – Randy Sexton
Randy Sexton is a Canadian ice hockey executive, businessman and former athlete. He is currently assistant director of amateur scouting for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He most recently was the general manager of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. He was one of the...
- Head Coach – Dan Bylsma
Dan Bylsma is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as of February 15, 2009, replacing Michel Therrien. Prior to coaching the Penguins, he played as a forward in the NHL and coached in the American Hockey League . He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1989...
- Assistant Coaches – Tony Granato
Anthony Lewis Granato is an American retired National Hockey League left winger and a former head coach and assistant coach of the Colorado Avalanche...
and Todd ReirdenTodd Reirden is a retired American ice hockey player and currently an Assistant Coach with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. Before that he was Head Coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. Reirden played in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, St...
- Goaltending Coach – Gilles Meloche
Gilles Meloche is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, California Golden Seals, Cleveland Barons, Minnesota North Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins...
- Player Development Coach – Bill Guerin
William Robert Guerin is an American former professional ice hockey player and current player development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Guerin played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League winning two Stanley Cup championships with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins teams...
- Goaltending Development Coach – Mike Bales
Michael Raymond Bales is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A goaltender, he has played for the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League. He attended the Ohio State University, lettering with the Buckeyes from 1990 to 1992, and was drafted by Boston in the fifth...
- Strength & Conditioning – Mike Kadar
Philadelphia Flyers
The
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
–Pittsburgh Penguins rivalry began in 1967 when the teams were introduced into the NHL's "Next Six" expansion wave. The rivalry exists due to divisional alignment, and geographic locations, as both teams play in the
state of PennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The Flyers lead the series with a 136–86–30 record. However, the Penguins eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs in 2008 and 2009, strengthening the rivalry.
Washington Capitals
The teams have faced off eight times in the playoffs, with the Penguins winning seven of the eight matchups, the only loss coming in the 1994 playoffs. The Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals along the way in all three of their Stanley Cup Championships. They have met in a decisive seventh game in 1992, 1995, and 2009. This matchup was showcased at the NHL's fourth Winter Classic, played January 1, 2011 at
Heinz FieldHeinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
in Pittsburgh. The Capitals won the game with a final score of 3-1.
The rivalry can also be seen in the
American Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
. Pittsburgh's top farm team is the
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, and their in-state, and biggest, rivals are the Caps' top farm team, the
Hershey BearsThe Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
.
Arenas
The Penguins called Civic Arena home for over 45 seasons beginning with their inception in 1967. In September 2010 they completed the move to the state-of-the-art Consol Energy Center. The Penguins also played two "home" games in nearby Cleveland, Ohio in 1992 and 1993. Since 1995
IceoPlex at SouthpointeIceoPlex is a multi-purpose arena in Southpointe in Cecil Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. It is the practice facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins...
has served as the teams practice facility in the south hills suburbs.
Robert Morris UniversityRobert Morris University is a private, coeducational university in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1921, the school was named for Robert Morris, who signed the Declaration of Independence, and helped finance the ensuing war with the British.-History:Robert Morris...
's
Island Sports CenterThe RMU Island Sports Center Ice Arena is a 1,200-seat hockey rink on the western tip of Neville Island in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The RMU Island Sports Center was built in 1998, and houses several ice and inline skating rinks, a golf range, a miniature golf course, athletic fields, a...
has at times served as a secondary practice facility for the team.
Minor League Affiliates
The Penguins have two minor league affiliates assigned to their team. The
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsThe Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins. They play in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza...
, their
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, have played in
Wilkes-Barre Township, PennsylvaniaWilkes-Barre Township is a township in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,235 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wilkes-Barre Township is located at ....
since 1999 and there is a loyal and deep Penguins fan base originating in north east Pennsylvania from this connection . The Penguins also have a secondary affiliate in the
ECHLThe ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, the
Wheeling NailersThe Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL ice hockey team based in Wheeling, West Virginia. They are the ECHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens of the NHL and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL....
, which they have been associated with since the start of the 2000-01 ECHL season.
Media
The Penguins currently have their
radioRadio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
home on
WXDX-FMWXDX-FM — branded 105.9 The X — is a modern rock radio station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 105.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 15.5 kw.-History:...
and their
televisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
home is Root Sports Pittsburgh.
The Penguins recently started their own 24-hour radio channel on
HD RadioHD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
, with WXDX converting their
adult album alternativeAdult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
digital subchannelIn broadcasting, digital subchannels are a means to transmit more than one independent program at the same time from the same digital radio or digital television station on the same radio frequency channel. This is done by using data compression techniques to reduce the size of each individual...
on HD-2 into a 24-hour Penguins channel. The channel will feature the NHL’s own daily “NHL Live” and league commissioner
Gary Bettman’sGary Bruce Bettman is the commissioner of the National Hockey League , a post he has held since February 1, 1993. Previously, Bettman was a senior vice-president and general counsel to the National Basketball Association...
weekly “NHL Hour,” in addition to local programming. The team becomes the first NHL team with its own radio channel, and joins the
NFL'sThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Dallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
as the second
professional sportsProfessional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
team to have such a channel. In November 2009, the Penguins also launched a weekly radio show "NHL Na Russkom (NHL in Russian)" hosted by George Birman and Oleg Mejeritski of Sovetsky Sport in order to appeal to Russian-speaking fans of the team.
Television
Almost every Penguins game is carried on the
Root SportsRoot Sports is the collective name for a group of regional sports networks owned by DirecTV Sports Networks, affiliated with the overall Fox Sports Net system...
Network (
FSN PittsburghRoot Sports Pittsburgh is a regional sports network owned and operated by DirecTV Sports Networks. The channel first aired in the Pittsburgh metro area on April 24, 1986 as KBL with the season opener of the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Mets from Three Rivers Stadium and expanded close to its modern day...
) which is carried by cable providers in most of two states and parts of four others. All of Pennsylvania save the 10 county Philadelphia metro area, all of West Virginia except the two counties in the Washington, D.C. metro area, 8 counties in eastern and southern Ohio, three counties in Western Maryland, 1 county in Southwestern New York state and 1 county in Northeastern Kentucky. In addition Fox Sports Ohio simulcasts Penguins hockey in the Cleveland metro area as well as some parts of Eastern Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Both Dish Network and Direct TV carry the Penguins games on their FSN Pittsburgh channel in HD nationally.
The TV announcers are:
- Paul Steigerwald
Paul Steigerwald is an American sports announcer.-Minor leagues:Steigerwald became a hockey fan growing up in Pittsburgh's South Hills. One of his neighbors was Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jack Riley, who would provide tickets for the poorly-attended games...
, play-by-play
- Bob Errey
Robert Errey is a retired former professional ice hockey left wing who was drafted 15th overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and played 895 NHL games over the course of his career...
, color commentator
- Dan Potash
Dan Potash is a TV reporter for Root Sports Pittsburgh . He covers both the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL and the Pittsburgh Pirates of the MLB. He joined the Roots Sports Pittsburgh team in 2000. Prior to joining Root Sports Pittsburgh, he worked for three years as weekend sports reporter for...
, in-game reporter
The Pittsburgh Penguins also receive monthly and sometimes weekly "game of the week" national exposure on both NBC Sports Network and
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. Before that on TSN, ESPN, ESPN2, and Versus.
Radio
The
Pittsburgh Penguins Radio NetworkThe Pittsburgh Penguins Radio Network is a radio network operated by the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League that provides broadcasts for all the team's games. Mike Lange is the play-by-play announcer, while former Penguin Phil Bourque is the color commentator. Bob Grove hosts pre-...
consists of a total of 34 stations in four states. Twenty three of these are in Pennsylvania, four in West Virginia, three in Ohio, and three in Maryland. The network also features an FM High-Definition station in Pittsburgh.
The announcers are:
- Mike Lange
Mike Lange is the radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2001, he received the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for his outstanding work as an NHL broadcaster....
, play-by-play
- Phil Bourque
Phillipe Richard Bourque is a former American professional ice hockey player. He was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft; instead, he was signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Penguins on October 4, 1982.-Playing career:...
, color commentator
- Bob Grove, pre & postgame host
Figures with broadcasting resumés
- Former player and head coach Eddie Olczyk
Edward Walter "Eddie" Olczyk is an American former head coach for the National Hockey League Pittsburgh Penguins and former center for Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins...
is currently a color analyst with both NBC and NBC Sports Network.
- Former player Bob Errey
Robert Errey is a retired former professional ice hockey left wing who was drafted 15th overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and played 895 NHL games over the course of his career...
is an announcer on Root SportsRoot Sports is the collective name for a group of regional sports networks owned by DirecTV Sports Networks, affiliated with the overall Fox Sports Net system...
.
- Former player Peter Taglianetti
Peter A. Taglianetti is a former NHL defenseman and former college hockey coach at Washington & Jefferson College. He is the father of Pittsburgh Panthers football player Andrew Taglianetti and is also a former Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster.-Awards and achievements:*1991 Stanley Cup ...
was a radio color analyst when the Penguins broadcasted games on WDVEWDVE is a mainstream rock music formatted radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA at 102.5 MHz. It is often referred to by Pittsburghers as simply "DVE." WDVE's transmitter is located on Pittsburgh's North Side...
, and currently hosts a weekly hockey segment on Pittsburgh sports talk radio, 93.7 "The Fan".
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