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1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season

NHL team season


NHL team season

FieldValue
LeagueNHL
Season1996–97
year1996
TeamPittsburgh Penguins
ConferenceEastern
ConferenceRank6th
DivisionNortheast
DivisionRank2nd
Record38–36–8
HomeRecord25–11–5
RoadRecord13–25–3
GoalsFor285
GoalsAgainst280
GeneralManagerCraig Patrick
CoachEddie Johnston (Oct.–Mar.)
Craig Patrick (Mar.–Apr.)
CaptainMario Lemieux
AltCaptainRon Francis
Jaromir Jagr
ArenaCivic Arena
Attendance16,691
MinorLeagueCleveland Lumberjacks
Johnstown Chiefs
GoalsLeaderMario Lemieux (50)
AssistsLeaderMario Lemieux (72)
PointsLeaderMario Lemieux (122)
PIMLeaderDave Roche (155)
PlusMinusLeaderMario Lemieux (+27)
WinsLeaderPatrick Lalime (21)
GAALeaderPatrick Lalime (2.94)

Craig Patrick (Mar.–Apr.) Jaromir Jagr Johnstown Chiefs

The 1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 30th in the National Hockey League (NHL). This was the final season for Mario Lemieux before his first retirement.

Regular season

The 1996–97 season featured Mario Lemieux in his final season before his first retirement. Lemieux won his sixth (and final) Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer, with 122 points. The Penguins had an up-and-down season en route to a sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference. A 2–9–0 start was followed by a hot middle-of-the-season stretch, highlighted by the play of rookie phenom goaltender Patrick Lalime. A shoulder injury to Tom Barrasso ended his season after five unmemorable games and led to the promotion of Lalime from the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League (IHL). Lalime debuted in relief of Ken Wregget in a loss to the New York Rangers on November 16. His first win came in relief of Wregget on December 6, and the next day, on December 7, he was given the start against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, beating the Mighty Ducks and setting him well on his way to setting the NHL record for consecutive games unbeaten to begin a career for an NHL goaltender, going 14–0–2 (16 games). However, the Penguins cooled down after that, as the team did not win a road game after February 5, which led to a coaching change on March 4. Eddie Johnston was relieved of his duties as head coach after losing eight of his last nine games and was replaced on an interim basis by General Manager Craig Patrick. Patrick went 7–10–3 down the stretch, enough to get the Penguins into the playoffs as the sixth seed at 38–36–8. The Penguins finished the season first in scoring, with 285 goals for.

Final standings

Playoffs

In the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, the Penguins lost, in five games, to the third-seeded Philadelphia Flyers, who went on to win the Eastern Conference championship. The Penguins' only win in the series was in Game 4 at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, in which Lemieux scored on a breakaway against Flyers goaltender Garth Snow in the closing minutes for his final goal, at home, before his first retirement.

Schedule and results

Regular season

|- | 1 || October 5 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1–0 || 0 || |- | 2 || October 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7 || Hartford Whalers || 0–2–0 || 0 || |- | 3 || October 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Ottawa Senators || 0–3–0 || 0 || |- | 4 || October 12 || Ottawa Senators || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3–0 || 2 || |- | 5 || October 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–8 || New York Rangers || 1–4–0 || 2 || |- | 6 || October 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–5–0 || 2 || |- | 7 || October 19 || Washington Capitals || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5–0 || 4 || |- | 8 || October 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Edmonton Oilers || 2–6–0 || 4 || |- | 9 || October 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || Calgary Flames || 2–7–0 || 4 || |- | 10 || October 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 || Vancouver Canucks || 2–8–0 || 4 ||

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| Legend:

Playoffs

|- | 1 || April 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0–1 || |- | 2 || April 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0–2 || |- | 3 || April 21 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–3 || |- | 4 || April 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || |- | 5 || April 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–4 ||

-

| Legend:

Player statistics

;Skaters

a#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"GPa#ffc3002px}}"Ga#ffc3002px}}"Aa#ffc3002px}}"Ptsa#ffc3002px}}" data-sort-type="number"+/−a#ffc3002px}}"PIMTotal2854957801,480
7650721222765
634748952240
81276390720
7433387166
8015395411103
6217223916
5763036328
51720272124
4091524433
6611112224
547152204
555152076
57216182484
59991863
533141736
32791614
12471186
615510155
3645922
2727920
1734725
45246131
1515624
35145379
1122413
†‡91344
83144
6404436
4522470
5903381
1603310
70004
13000049
2300036
600008
10000
10000
50007
a#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"GPa#ffc3002px}}"Ga#ffc3002px}}"Aa#ffc3002px}}"Ptsa#ffc3002px}}" data-sort-type="number"+/−a#ffc3002px}}"PIMTotal13213466
54484
53364
512314
50330
512312
51232
51124
50112
510112
501100
51012
50114
40110
50004
300000
100000
40004
50006
50002
300000

;Goaltenders

a#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"GPa#ffc3002px}}"TOIa#ffc3002px}}"Wa#ffc3002px}}"La#ffc3002px}}"Ta#ffc3002px}}"GAa#ffc3002px}}"GAAa#ffc3002px}}"SAa#ffc3002px}}"SV%a#ffc3002px}}"SOa#ffc3002px}}"Ga#ffc3002px}}"Aa#ffc3002px}}"PIMTotal4952:43383682693.2628010.9045016
392057:35211221012.9511660.9133000
462514:23171761363.2513830.9022016
5269:37050265.791860.8600000
2111:0802063.24660.9090000
a#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"GPa#ffc3002px}}"TOIa#ffc3002px}}"Wa#ffc3002px}}"La#ffc3002px}}"Ta#ffc3002px}}"GAa#ffc3002px}}"GAAa#ffc3002px}}"SAa#ffc3002px}}"SV%a#ffc3002px}}"SOa#ffc3002px}}"Ga#ffc3002px}}"Aa#ffc3002px}}"PIMTotal297:28140183.632110.9150002
5297:28140183.632110.9150002

†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.

Awards and records

  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 600 goals for the Penguins. He did so in a 6–4 win over Vancouver on February 4, 1997.
  • Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 1400 points for the Penguins. He did so with his first of 4 points in a 6–2 win over Boston on November 30, 1996.

Awards

a#ffc3002px}}"Typea#ffc3002px}}"Award/honora#ffc3002px}}"Recipienta#ffc3002px}}"RefLeague
(annual)League
(in-season)Team
Art Ross TrophyMario Lemieux
NHL All-Rookie TeamPatrick Lalime (Goaltender)title=Postseason All-Star Teamsurl=https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19961997website=records.nhl.comaccess-date=July 26, 2023}}
NHL First All-Star TeamMario Lemieux (Center)
NHL Second All-Star TeamJaromir Jagr (Right wing)
[NHL All-Star Game](1997-national-hockey-league-all-star-game) selectionKevin Hatcher
Jaromir Jagr
Mario Lemieux
NHL Rookie of the MonthPatrick Lalime (December)
Patrick Lalime (January)
A. T. Caggiano Memorial Booster Club AwardMario Lemieux
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Good Guy AwardKen Wregget
Bob Johnson Memorial Badger Bob AwardJoe Mullen
Leading Scorer AwardMario Lemieux
Michel Briere Memorial Rookie of the Year TrophyPatrick Lalime
Most Valuable Player AwardMario Lemieux
Players' Player AwardJoe Mullen
The Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service AwardJoe Dziedzic
Chris Tamer

Milestones

a#ffc3002px}}"Milestonea#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"Datea#ffc3002px}}"RefFirst game400th goal500th game played
Domenic PittisOctober 26, 1996
Patrick LalimeNovember 16, 1996
Ron FrancisMarch 29, 1997
Ken Wregget

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season:

Trades

March 18, 1997To [Vancouver Canucks](1996-97-vancouver-canucks-season)To Pittsburgh Penguins

Free agents

a#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Playera#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Acquired froma#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Lost toa#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Date
Kevin ToddLos Angeles KingsJuly 10, 1996
Kevin MillerChicago BlackhawksJuly 18, 1996
Dave McLlwainNew York IslandersJuly 29, 1996
Dan QuinnPhiladelphia FlyersJuly 31, 1996
Shawn AntoskiPhiladelphia FlyersJuly 31, 1996
Joe MullenBoston BruinsSeptember 5, 1996
Greg HawgoodSan Jose SharksSeptember 7, 1996
Craig MuniWinnipeg JetsOctober 2, 1996
Petr KlimaEdmonton OilersFebruary 26, 1997

Waivers

a#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Playera#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Acquired froma#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Lost toa#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Date
Chris JosephVancouver CanucksSeptember 30, 1996
Corey FosterNew York IslandersSeptember 30, 1996
Kevin ToddMighty Ducks of AnaheimOctober 4, 1996

Other

a#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Namea#ffc3002px}} width:50%;"Detailsa#ffc3002px}} width:25%;"Date
Craig Patrick5-year extension (VP & GM)June 27, 1996
Eddie JohnstonExtension (Head Coach)June 27, 1996
Craig PatrickHired as Head Coach (in addition to GM)March 3, 1997
Eddie JohnstonReassigned to Assistant GMMarch 3, 1997
Craig PatrickReplaced as Head Coach (remained as GM)April 26, 1997
Mario LemieuxRetiredApril 26, 1997
Kevin ConstantineHired as Head CoachJune 12, 1997

Draft picks

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft.

a#ffc3002px}}"Rounda#ffc3002px}}"#a#ffc3002px}}"Playera#ffc3002px}}"Posa#ffc3002px}}"Nationalitya#ffc3002px}}"College/Junior/Club team (League)
123Craig HillierGoaltenderOttawa 67's (OHL)
228Pavel SkrbekDefenseHC Kladno (Czech)
372Boyd KaneLeft wingRegina Pats (WHL)
377Borys ProtsenkoRight wingCalgary Hitmen (WHL)
4105Michal RozsivalDefenseDukla Jihlava (Czech)
6150Peter BergmanCenterKamloops Blazers (WHL)
7186Eric MelocheRight wingCornwall Colts (COJHL)
9238Timo SeikkulaCenterJunkkarit (Finland)

;Draft notes

  • The New Jersey Devils' second-round pick (from San Jose Sharks) went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent two second-round picks to the Devils in exchange for this pick.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick (from Toronto Maple Leafs) went to the New Jersey Devils as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent a second-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick and this pick.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round pick went to the New Jersey Devils as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent a second-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for a second-round pick and this pick.
  • The Boston Bruins' third-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of an August 1, 1995, trade that sent Kevin Stevens and Shawn McEachern to the Bruins in exchange for Glen Murray, Bryan Smolinski and this pick.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth-round pick went to the San Jose Sharks as the result of a March 20, 1996, trade that sent Kevin Miller to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
  • Compensatory pick received from NHL as compensation for free agent Joe Mullen.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' sixth-round pick went to the St. Louis Blues as the result of a March 20, 1996, trade that sent J. J. Daigneault to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' seventh-round pick (from NHL as compensation for free agent Kjell Samuelsson) went to the Edmonton Oilers as the result of a June 22, 1996, trade that sent Tyler Wright to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
  • The Pittsburgh Penguins' eighth-round pick went to the Ottawa Senators as the result of a March 1, 1996, trade that sent Dave McLlwain to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.

Farm teams

The Johnstown Chiefs of the East Coast Hockey League finished last in the North Division with a 24–39–7 record.

The IHL's Cleveland Lumberjacks finished second in the Central Division with a record of 40–32–10. They defeated the Indianapolis Ice in the first round 3–1, then defeated the Orlando Solar Bears in the second round 4–1 before losing to the eventual Turner Cup champion Detroit Vipers, 4–1.

Notes

References

References

  1. "1996-97 NHL Summary".
  2. "1996-97 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule".
  3. "1996–1997 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  4. "1996–1997 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  5. "1996–1997 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  6. "1996–1997 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
  7. "Art Ross Trophy".
  8. "Postseason All-Star Teams".
  9. "1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters".
  10. "NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986)".
  11. (January 17, 1997). "Injured Jagr to Miss The All-Star Game".
  12. (January 9, 1997). "LALIME GETS ROOKIE HONOR".
  13. "NHL Rookies of the Month".
  14. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.313
  15. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.312
  16. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.311
  17. 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.314
  18. "1996-97 NHL Debuts".
  19. (March 30, 1997). "Penguins Aid Kings' Free-Fall".
  20. "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions.
  21. "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL.com.
  22. "1996 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions.
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