1996–97 Pittsburgh Penguins season

NHL team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1996–97 1996 Pittsburgh Penguins Eastern 6th Northeast 2nd 38–36–8 25–11–5 13–25–3 285 280 Craig Patrick Eddie Johnston (Oct.–Mar.)Craig Patrick (Mar.–Apr.) Mario Lemieux Ron FrancisJaromir Jagr Civic Arena 16,691 Cleveland LumberjacksJohnstown Chiefs Mario Lemieux (50) Mario Lemieux (72) Mario Lemieux (122) Dave Roche (155) Mario Lemieux (+27) Patrick Lalime (21) Patrick Lalime (2.94) 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.https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997.html 1996-97 NHL Summary Final standings PIT PIT 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 background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 5px solid; 1996–97 regular season1996-97 Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1997_games.html Hockey-Reference.com July 18, 2023 y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; October: 2–8–0 (home: 2–1–0; road: 0–7–0), 4 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 1 || October 5 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1–0 || 0 || 1996020006 L |- | 2 || October 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7 || Hartford Whalers || 0–2–0 || 0 || 1996020023 L |- | 3 || October 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Ottawa Senators || 0–3–0 || 0 || 1996020038 L |- | 4 || October 12 || Ottawa Senators || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3–0 || 2 || 1996020043 W |- | 5 || October 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–8 || New York Rangers || 1–4–0 || 2 || 1996020066 L |- | 6 || October 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–5–0 || 2 || 1996020069 L |- | 7 || October 19 || Washington Capitals || 1–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5–0 || 4 || 1996020082 W |- | 8 || October 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–5 || Edmonton Oilers || 2–6–0 || 4 || 1996020099 L |- | 9 || October 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–7 || Calgary Flames || 2–7–0 || 4 || 1996020110 L |- | 10 || October 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 || Vancouver Canucks || 2–8–0 || 4 || 1996020123 L |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; November: 6–5–2 (home: 5–1–1; road: 1–4–1), 14 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 11 || November 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Washington Capitals || 2–9–0 || 4 || 1996020150 L |- | 12 || November 2 || Ottawa Senators || 3–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–9–0 || 6 || 1996020158 W |- | 13 || November 6 || Edmonton Oilers || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–9–0 || 8 || 1996020176 W |- | 14 || November 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 OT || Tampa Bay Lightning || 4–9–1 || 9 || 1996020190 T |- | 15 || November 9 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Florida Panthers || 4–10–1 || 9 || 1996020200 L |- | 16 || November 12 || Buffalo Sabres || 0–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–10–1 || 11 || 1996020212 W |- | 17 || November 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 OT || Boston Bruins || 5–11–1 || 11 || 1996020222 L |- | 18 || November 16 || New York Rangers || 8–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–12–1 || 11 || 1996020235 L |- | 19 || November 19 || St. Louis Blues || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–12–1 || 13 || 1996020251 W |- | 20 || November 21 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–13–1 || 13 || 1996020265 L |- | 21 || November 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–1 || Hartford Whalers || 7–13–1 || 15 || 1996020270 W |- | 22 || November 27 || Montreal Canadiens || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–13–2 || 16 || 1996020294 T |- | 23 || November 30 || Boston Bruins || 2–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–13–2 || 18 || 1996020313 W |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; December: 11–2–2 (home: 4–1–2; road: 7–1–0), 24 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 24 || December 3 || Hartford Whalers || 4–4 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 8–13–3 || 19 || 1996020327 T |- | 25 || December 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || Ottawa Senators || 9–13–3 || 21 || 1996020334 W |- | 26 || December 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || Washington Capitals || 10–13–3 || 23 || 1996020348 W |- | 27 || December 7 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 11–13–3 || 25 || 1996020355 W |- | 28 || December 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || Los Angeles Kings || 12–13–3 || 27 || 1996020373 W |- | 29 || December 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–3 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 13–13–3 || 29 || 1996020380 W |- | 30 || December 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–0 || San Jose Sharks || 14–13–3 || 31 || 1996020390 W |- | 31 || December 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–2 || Chicago Blackhawks || 14–14–3 || 31 || 1996020403 L |- | 32 || December 17 || Boston Bruins || 6–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 14–15–3 || 31 || 1996020409 L |- | 33 || December 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–0 || St. Louis Blues || 15–15–3 || 33 || 1996020423 W |- | 34 || December 21 || San Jose Sharks || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 16–15–3 || 35 || 1996020434 W |- | 35 || December 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–5 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 17–15–3 || 37 || 1996020450 W |- | 36 || December 26 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 17–15–4 || 38 || 1996020455 T |- | 37 || December 28 || Buffalo Sabres || 0–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 18–15–4 || 40 || 1996020470 W |- | 38 || December 30 || Washington Capitals || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 19–15–4 || 42 || 1996020484 W |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; January: 8–3–1 (home: 4–2–0; road: 4–1–1), 17 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 39 || January 2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–1 || New Jersey Devils || 20–15–4 || 44 || 1996020501 W |- | 40 || January 4 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 3–7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 21–15–4 || 46 || 1996020515 W |- | 41 || January 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–3 || New York Islanders || 22–15–4 || 48 || 1996020529 W |- | 42 || January 10 || New York Islanders || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 23–15–4 || 50 || 1996020548 W |- | 43 || January 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 OT || Ottawa Senators || 23–15–5 || 51 || 1996020553 T |- | 44 || January 14 || Dallas Stars || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 24–15–5 || 53 || 1996020572 W |- | 45 || January 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–0 || Hartford Whalers || 25–15–5 || 55 || 1996020577 W |- | 46 || January 21 || Calgary Flames || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 26–15–5 || 57 || 1996020591 W |- | 47 || January 23 || Colorado Avalanche || 4–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 26–16–5 || 57 || 1996020607 L |- | 48 || January 25 || New York Rangers || 7–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 26–17–5 || 57 || 1996020617 L |- | 49 || January 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || Montreal Canadiens || 27–17–5 || 59 || 1996020626 W |- | 50 || January 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || Buffalo Sabres || 27–18–5 || 59 || 1996020637 L |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; February: 4–7–0 (home: 3–4–0; road: 1–3–0), 8 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 51 || February 1 || Phoenix Coyotes || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 28–18–5 || 61 || 1996020655 W |- | 52 || February 4 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 29–18–5 || 63 || 1996020674 W |- | 53 || February 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 6–3 || Montreal Canadiens || 30–18–5 || 65 || 1996020679 W |- | 54 || February 8 || Detroit Red Wings || 6–5 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 30–19–5 || 65 || 1996020695 L |- | 55 || February 12 || New York Islanders || 5–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 30–20–5 || 65 || 1996020717 L |- | 56 || February 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 30–21–5 || 65 || 1996020736 L |- | 57 || February 16 || Philadelphia Flyers || 6–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 30–22–5 || 65 || 1996020744 L |- | 58 || February 18 || Florida Panthers || 2–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 31–22–5 || 67 || 1996020754 W |- | 59 || February 22 || Chicago Blackhawks || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 31–23–5 || 67 || 1996020776 L |- | 60 || February 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || New York Islanders || 31–24–5 || 67 || 1996020784 L |- | 61 || February 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Detroit Red Wings || 31–25–5 || 67 || 1996020807 L |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; March: 5–8–2 (home: 5–2–1; road: 0–6–1), 12 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 62 || March 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || New Jersey Devils || 31–26–5 || 67 || 1996020817 L |- | 63 || March 4 || New Jersey Devils || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 31–27–5 || 67 || 1996020832 L |- | 64 || March 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Buffalo Sabres || 31–28–5 || 67 || 1996020837 L |- | 65 || March 8 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–28–5 || 69 || 1996020854 W |- | 66 || March 10 || Montreal Canadiens || 2–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 32–28–6 || 70 || 1996020869 T |- | 67 || March 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–5 OT || Phoenix Coyotes || 32–28–7 || 71 || 1996020882 T |- | 68 || March 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Colorado Avalanche || 32–29–7 || 71 || 1996020892 L |- | 69 || March 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–6 || Dallas Stars || 32–30–7 || 71 || 1996020908 L |- | 70 || March 18 || Buffalo Sabres || 3–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 33–30–7 || 73 || 1996020914 W |- | 71 || March 20 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 34–30–7 || 75 || 1996020925 W |- | 72 || March 22 || New Jersey Devils || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 34–31–7 || 75 || 1996020936 L |- | 73 || March 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–3 || New York Rangers || 34–32–7 || 75 || 1996020948 L |- | 74 || March 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–8 || Montreal Canadiens || 34–33–7 || 75 || 1996020957 L |- | 75 || March 29 || Los Angeles Kings || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 35–33–7 || 77 || 1996020972 W |- | 76 || March 31 || Florida Panthers || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 36–33–7 || 79 || 1996020985 W |- y background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; April: 2–3–1 (home: 2–0–1; road: 0–3–0), 5 points # Date Visitor Score Home Record Points Recap |- | 77 || April 3 || Hartford Whalers || 5–5 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || 36–33–8 || 80 || 1996020999 T |- | 78 || April 5 || Ottawa Senators || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 37–33–8 || 82 || 1996021012 W |- | 79 || April 8 || Boston Bruins || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 38–33–8 || 84 || 1996021028 W |- | 80 || April 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 38–34–8 || 84 || 1996021043 L |- | 81 || April 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Florida Panthers || 38–35–8 || 84 || 1996021048 L |- | 82 || April 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–7 || Boston Bruins || 38–36–8 || 84 || 1996021060 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black W #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black L #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black T Playoffs background:#fff; border-top:#000000 5px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 5px solid; 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs y background:#fff; border-top:#000000 2px solid; border-bottom:#ffc300 2px solid; Eastern Conference Quarterfinals vs. (3) Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers win 4–1 Game Date Visitor Score Home Series Recap |- | 1 || April 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0–1 || 1996030131 L |- | 2 || April 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–3 || Philadelphia Flyers || 0–2 || 1996030132 L |- | 3 || April 21 || Philadelphia Flyers || 5–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–3 || 1996030133 L |- | 4 || April 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–3 || 1996030134 W |- | 5 || April 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–6 || Philadelphia Flyers || 1–4 || 1996030135 L |- |- | Legend: #cfc Win 1px solid black W #fcc Loss 1px solid black L Player statistics Skaters + Regular season1996–1997 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19961997&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S https://web.archive.org/web/20161002024023/http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19961997&gameType=2&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S dead October 2, 2016 NHL Player GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/− Plus/minus PIM Penalty minutes Mario Lemieux 76 50 72 122 27 65 Jaromir Jagr Jaromír Jágr 63 47 48 95 22 40 Ron Francis 81 27 63 90 7 20 Petr Nedved Petr Nedvěd 74 33 38 71 -2 –2 66 Kevin Hatcher 80 15 39 54 11 103 Stu Barnes† 62 17 22 39 -20 –20 16 Jason Woolley† 57 6 30 36 3 28 Fredrik Olausson† 51 7 20 27 21 24 Tomas Sandstrom Tomas Sandström‡ 40 9 15 24 4 33 Glen Murray ice hockey‡ 66 11 11 22 -19 –19 24 Joe Mullen 54 7 15 22 0 4 Alex Hicks† 55 5 15 20 -6 –6 76 Darius Kasparaitis† 57 2 16 18 24 84 Joe Dziedzic 59 9 9 18 -4 –4 63 Jean-Jacques Daigneault J. J. Daigneault‡ 53 3 14 17 -5 –5 36 Greg Johnson ice hockey† 32 7 9 16 -13 –13 14 Eddie Olczyk Ed Olczyk† 12 4 7 11 8 6 Dave Roche 61 5 5 10 -13 –13 155 Ian Moran 36 4 5 9 -11 –11 22 Andreas Johansson ice hockey† 27 2 7 9 -6 –6 20 Garry Valk† 17 3 4 7 -6 –6 25 Chris Tamer 45 2 4 6 -25 –25 131 Dmitri Mironov‡ 15 1 5 6 -4 –4 24 Alek Stojanov 35 1 4 5 3 79 Jeff Christian 11 2 2 4 -3 –3 13 Petr Klima Petr Klíma†‡ 9 1 3 4 -4 –4 4 Josef Beranek Josef Beránek 8 3 1 4 -1 –1 4 Craig Muni 64 0 4 4 -6 –6 36 Tyler Wright 45 2 2 4 -7 –7 70 Francois Leroux François Leroux 59 0 3 3 -3 –3 81 Dan Quinn ice hockey 16 0 3 3 -6 –6 10 Roman Oksiuta† 7 0 0 0 -4 –4 4 Shawn Antoski‡ 13 0 0 0 0 49 Neil Wilkinson ice hockey 23 0 0 0 -12 –12 36 Ed Patterson 6 0 0 0 0 8 Richard Park ice hockey‡ 1 0 0 0 -1 –1 0 Domenic Pittis 1 0 0 0 -1 –1 0 Stefan Bergqvist Stefan Bergkvist 5 0 0 0 -1 –1 7 Total 285 495 780 — 1,480 + Playoffs1996–1997 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19961997&gameType=3&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S https://web.archive.org/web/20161002025252/http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=skatersummary&season=19961997&gameType=3&sort=points&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=S dead October 2, 2016 NHL Player GP Games played G Goals A Assists Pts Points +/− Plus/minus PIM Penalty minutes Jaromir Jagr Jaromír Jágr 5 4 4 8 -4 –4 4 Mario Lemieux 5 3 3 6 -4 –4 4 Ian Moran 5 1 2 3 1 4 Jason Woolley 5 0 3 3 -1 –1 0 Petr Nedved Petr Nedvěd 5 1 2 3 -2 –2 12 Ron Francis 5 1 2 3 -7 –7 2 Kevin Hatcher 5 1 1 2 -5 –5 4 Alex Hicks 5 0 1 1 -1 –1 2 Eddie Olczyk Ed Olczyk 5 1 0 1 -2 –2 12 Stu Barnes 5 0 1 1 0 0 Greg Johnson ice hockey 5 1 0 1 -1 –1 2 Joe Dziedzic 5 0 1 1 -1 –1 4 Fredrik Olausson 4 0 1 1 -1 –1 0 Neil Wilkinson ice hockey 5 0 0 0 -2 –2 4 Craig Muni 3 0 0 0 0 0 Joe Mullen 1 0 0 0 0 0 Chris Tamer 4 0 0 0 -1 –1 4 Darius Kasparaitis 5 0 0 0 -4 –4 6 Josef Beranek Josef Beránek 5 0 0 0 -4 –4 2 Francois Leroux François Leroux 3 0 0 0 0 0 Total 13 21 34 — 66 Goaltenders + Regular Season1996–1997 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats https://www.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=19961997&gameType=2&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=G NHL Player GP Games played TOI Time on ice W Win L Loss T Tie GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SA Shots against SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts G Goals A Assists PIM Penalty minutes Patrick Lalime 39 2057:35 21 12 2 101 2.95 1166 0.913 3 0 0 0 Ken Wregget 46 2514:23 17 17 6 136 3.25 1383 0.902 2 0 1 6 Tom Barrasso 5 269:37 0 5 0 26 5.79 186 0.860 0 0 0 0 Philippe De Rouville Philippe DeRouville 2 111:08 0 2 0 6 3.24 66 0.909 0 0 0 0 Total 4952:43 38 36 8 269 3.26 2801 0.904 5 0 1 6 + Playoffs1996–1997 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=19961997&gameType=3&sort=wins&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=G https://web.archive.org/web/20161002021802/http://ice.nhl.com/stats/player?reportType=season&report=goaliesummary&season=19961997&gameType=3&sort=wins&aggregate=0&teamId=5&pos=G dead October 2, 2016 NHL Player GP Games played TOI Time on ice W Win L Loss T Tie GA Goals against GAA Goals against average SA Shots against SV% Save percentage SO Shutouts G Goals A Assists PIM Penalty minutes Ken Wregget 5 297:28 1 4 0 18 3.63 211 0.915 0 0 0 2 Total 297:28 1 4 0 18 3.63 211 0.915 0 0 0 2 †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 Type Award/honor Recipient Ref League(annual) Art Ross Trophy Mario LemieuxArt Ross Trophy https://records.nhl.com/awards/trophies/art-ross-trophy records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 NHL All-Rookie Team Patrick Lalime (Goaltender)Postseason All-Star Teams https://records.nhl.com/awards/phwa-all-star-teams?season=19961997 records.nhl.com July 26, 2023 NHL First All-Star Team Mario Lemieux (Center) NHL Second All-Star Team Jaromir Jagr (Right wing) League(in-season) NHL All-Star Game selection Kevin Hatcher1997 NHL All-Star Game Rosters https://www.hockey-reference.com/allstar/NHL_1997_roster.html Hockey-Reference.com August 29, 2024 Jaromir JagrJagr was voted to the starting lineup but did not play and was replaced by Adam Oates of the Boston Bruins.NHL All-Star Game Starting Lineups by Year (since 1986) https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=29185 NHL.com August 29, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20230322193353/https://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=29185 March 22, 2023Injured Jagr to Miss The All-Star Game https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/17/sports/injured-jagr-to-miss-the-all-star-game.html The New York Times July 26, 2023 January 17, 1997 Mario Lemieux NHL Rookie of the Month Patrick Lalime (December)LALIME GETS ROOKIE HONOR https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/01/09/lalime-gets-rookie-honor/06ed3866-0b22-4ea8-97c5-f7b031791e8a/ Washington Post July 26, 2023 January 9, 1997 Patrick Lalime (January)NHL Rookies of the Month https://www.hockey-reference.com/awards/rookiemonthly.html Hockey-Reference.com July 26, 2023 Team A. T. Caggiano Memorial Booster Club Award Mario Lemieux 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.313 Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Good Guy Award Ken Wregget 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.312 Bob Johnson Memorial Badger Bob Award Joe Mullen Leading Scorer Award Mario Lemieux Michel Briere Memorial Rookie of the Year Trophy Patrick Lalime 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.311 Most Valuable Player Award Mario Lemieux 2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins Media Guide, p.314 Players' Player Award Joe Mullen The Edward J. DeBartolo Community Service Award Joe Dziedzic Chris Tamer Milestones Milestone Player Date Ref First game Domenic Pittis October 26, 19961996-97 NHL Debuts https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1997_debut.html Hockey-Reference.com October 7, 2024 Patrick Lalime November 16, 1996 400th goal Ron Francis March 29, 1997Penguins Aid Kings' Free-Fall https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-30-sp-43704-story.html Los Angeles Times July 26, 2023 March 30, 1997 Ron Francis, reunited with linemates Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr for the first time in a month, scored his 400th and 401st goals to pace Pittsburgh. 500th game played Ken Wregget Transactions The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1996–97 season:Hockey Transactions Search Results http://prosportstransactions.com/hockey/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Penguins&BeginDate=1996-06-22&EndDate=1997-06-20&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&DisciplinaryChkBx=yes&submit=Search&start=0 ProSportsTransactions September 10, 2012 Trades October 25, 1996 To Los Angeles Kings 1997 conditional pick (not exercised) To Pittsburgh Penguins Petr Klima November 17, 1996 To New York Islanders Bryan Smolinski To Pittsburgh Penguins Andreas JohanssonDarius Kasparaitis November 19, 1996 To Florida Panthers Chris Wells To Pittsburgh Penguins Stu BarnesJason Woolley November 19, 1996 To Anaheim Ducks Shawn AntoskiDmitri Mironov To Pittsburgh Penguins Alex HicksFredrik Olausson January 27, 1997 To Detroit Red Wings Tomas Sandstrom To Pittsburgh Penguins Greg Johnson February 21, 1997 To Anaheim Ducks Jean-Jacques Daigneault To Pittsburgh Penguins Garry Valk March 18, 1997 To Anaheim Ducks Richard Park To Pittsburgh Penguins Roman Oksiuta March 18, 1997 To Los Angeles Kings Glen Murray To Pittsburgh Penguins Ed Olczyk March 18, 1997 To Vancouver Canucks future considerations (1998 5th round pick) To Pittsburgh Penguins Josef Beranek Free agents Player Acquired from Lost to Date Kevin Todd Los Angeles Kings July 10, 1996 Kevin Miller Chicago Blackhawks July 18, 1996 Dave McLlwain New York Islanders July 29, 1996 Dan Quinn Philadelphia Flyers July 31, 1996 Shawn Antoski Philadelphia Flyers July 31, 1996 Joe Mullen Boston Bruins September 5, 1996 Greg Hawgood San Jose Sharks September 7, 1996 Craig Muni Winnipeg Jets October 2, 1996 Petr Klima Edmonton Oilers February 26, 1997 Waivers Player Acquired from Lost to Date Chris Joseph Vancouver Canucks September 30, 1996 Corey Foster New York Islanders September 30, 1996 Kevin Todd Mighty Ducks of Anaheim October 4, 1996 Other Name Details Date Craig Patrick 5-year extension (VP & GM) June 27, 1996 Eddie Johnston Extension (Head Coach) June 27, 1996 Craig Patrick Hired as Head Coach (in addition to GM) March 3, 1997 Eddie Johnston Reassigned to Assistant GM March 3, 1997 Craig Patrick Replaced as Head Coach (remained as GM) April 26, 1997 Mario Lemieux Retired April 26, 1997 Kevin Constantine Hired as Head Coach June 12, 1997 Draft picks List of Pittsburgh Penguins draft picks Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1996 NHL entry draft.NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=1996&team=PIT&position=&round= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112818/http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=1996&team=PIT&position=&round= dead March 4, 2016 NHL.com July 14, 2012 Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club team (League) 1 23 Craig Hillier Goaltender Ottawa 67's (OHL) 2 28Note1 a a Pavel Skrbek Defense HC Kladno (Czech) 3 72Note2 b b Boyd Kane Left wing Regina Pats (WHL) 3 77 Borys Protsenko Right wing Calgary Hitmen (WHL) 4 105 Michal Rozsival Defense Dukla Jihlava (Czech) 6 150Note3 c c Peter Bergman Center Kamloops Blazers (WHL) 7 186 Eric Meloche Right wing Cornwall Colts (COJHL) 9 238 Timo Seikkula Center Junkkarit (Finland) Draft notes1996 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions http://www.prosportstransactions.com/hockey/DraftTrades/Years/1996.htm Pro Sports Transactions July 14, 2012 Note1 a aThe 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. Note2 b bThe 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. Note3 c cCompensatory 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. See also 1996–97 NHL season Notes References Pittsburgh Penguins 1996-97 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000501997.html www.hockeydb.com July 18, 2023 1996-97 Pittsburgh Penguins Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/PIT/1997.html Hockey-Reference.com July 18, 2023 Category:Pittsburgh Penguins seasons P Pitts Pitts