Editing Pittsburgh Penguins (section)

==History==

===Early years (1967–1984)===
Prior to the arrival of the Penguins, Pittsburgh had been the home of the NHL's [[Pittsburgh Pirates (NHL)|Pittsburgh Pirates]] from 1925 to 1930 and of the [[American Hockey League]]'s [[Pittsburgh Hornets]] franchise from 1936 to 1967 (with a short break from 1956 to 1961). In the spring of 1965, [[Jack McGregor]], a [[state senator]] from [[Kittanning, Pennsylvania]], began lobbying campaign contributors and community leaders to bring an NHL franchise back to Pittsburgh. The group focused on leveraging the NHL as an [[urban renewal]] tool for Pittsburgh. The senator formed a group of local investors that included [[H. J. Heinz Company]] heir [[H. John Heinz III|H. J. Heinz III]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]' owner [[Art Rooney]] and the [[Mellon family]]'s [[Richard Mellon Scaife]]. The [[1967 NHL expansion|projected league expansion]] depended on securing votes from the [[Original Six|then-current NHL owners]]; to ensure Pittsburgh would be selected as one of the expansion cities, McGregor enlisted Rooney to petition votes from [[James D. Norris]], owner of the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]] and his brother [[Bruce Norris (ice hockey)|Bruce Norris]], owner of the [[Detroit Red Wings]]. The effort was successful, and on February 8, 1966, the [[National Hockey League]] awarded an [[expansion team]] to Pittsburgh for the [[1967–68 NHL season|1967–68 season]]. The Penguins paid $2.5 million (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|2.6|1967|r=1}}}} million today) for their entry and $750,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|0.75|1967|r=1}}}} million today) more for start-up costs. The [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]]'s capacity was boosted from 10,732 to 12,500 to meet the NHL requirements for expansion. The Penguins also paid an indemnification bill to settle with the Detroit Red Wings, which owned the Pittsburgh Hornets franchise. The investor group named McGregor president and chief executive officer, and he represented Pittsburgh on the NHL's Board of Governors.<ref name="Steel City Legend">{{cite web| url=http://pittsburghhockey.net/penguins| title=Steel City Legend: Sen. Jack McGregor| publisher=Pittsburgh Hockey.net| access-date=May 1, 2012| archive-date=June 30, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630073752/http://pittsburghhockey.net/penguins| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="History2016">{{cite web |title=Timeline: The History of the Pittsburgh Penguins |url=https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/timeline-the-history-of-the-pittsburgh-penguins/ |work=pittsburghmagazine.com |year=2016 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204065415/https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/timeline-the-history-of-the-pittsburgh-penguins/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Pittsburgh-pennsylvania-mellon-arena-2007.jpg|left|thumb|alt= Photograph of the Civic Arena | The [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Civic Arena]]'s capacity was increased to meet NHL requirements for a franchise. The arena served as the Penguins' home arena from 1967 to 2010.]]
A contest was held where 700 of 26,000 entries picked "Penguins" as the team's nickname, sharing its nickname with the [[Youngstown State Penguins|athletic department]] of the newly named [[Youngstown State University]] in nearby [[Youngstown, Ohio]]. (Youngstown is part of the Penguins' territorial rights to this day, though they did briefly share them with the [[Cleveland Barons (NHL)|Cleveland Barons]] in the mid-1970s.) Mark Peters had the winning entry (which was inspired because the team was to play in the "Igloo", the nickname of the Pittsburgh Civic Arena),<ref name="PenguinsHistoryNHLcom">{{cite web|last=Stainkamp|first=Michael|title=A brief history: Pittsburgh Penguins|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/a-brief-history-pittsburgh-penguins/c-536264|website=National Hockey League|date=August 25, 2010|access-date=April 23, 2016|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602105423/https://www.nhl.com/news/a-brief-history-pittsburgh-penguins/c-536264|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why the name Pittsburgh Penguins?|url=http://www.letsgopens.com/pensname.php|website=LetsGoPens.com|date=September 19, 2002|access-date=April 23, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235138/http://www.letsgopens.com/pensname.php|url-status=live}}</ref> a logo was chosen that had a penguin in front of a triangle, which symbolized the "[[Golden Triangle (Pittsburgh)|Golden Triangle]]" of downtown Pittsburgh.<ref name="PenguinsHistoryNHLcom" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Uniform History|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=56510|publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins|access-date=April 23, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428172730/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=56510|archive-date=April 28, 2016}}</ref> The Penguins' first general manager, [[Jack Riley (ice hockey, born 1919)|Jack Riley]], opened the first pre-season camp for the franchise in [[Brantford, Ontario]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Penguins Start Training Sessions|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8pRAAAAIBAJ&dq=pittsburgh%20penguins&pg=1504%2C2339093|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=September 14, 1967|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527105440/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L8pRAAAAIBAJ&dq=pittsburgh+penguins&pg=1504%2C2339093|url-status=live}}</ref> on September 13, 1967, playing the franchise's first exhibition match in Brantford against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] on September 23, 1967. Restrictive rules which kept most major talent with the existing "Original Six" teams hampered the Penguins, along with the rest of the expansion teams. Beyond aging sniper [[Andy Bathgate]], all-star defenseman [[Leo Boivin]] (who had begun his professional career with the Hornets) and [[New York Rangers]]' veteran [[Earl Ingarfield, Sr.|Earl Ingarfield]], a cast of former minor leaguers largely manned the first Penguins' team. Several players played for the Hornets the previous season: Bathgate, wingers [[Val Fonteyne]] and [[Ab McDonald]], and goaltenders [[Hank Bassen]] and [[Joe Daley (ice hockey)|Joe Daley]]. [[George Sullivan (ice hockey)|George Sullivan]] was named the head coach for the club's first two seasons, and McDonald was named the team's first captain.<ref name="History2010">{{cite web |title=A brief history: Pittsburgh Penguins |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/a-brief-history-pittsburgh-penguins/c-536264 |work=NHL.com |year=2010 |access-date=April 23, 2016 |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602105423/https://www.nhl.com/news/a-brief-history-pittsburgh-penguins/c-536264 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 11, 1967, league president [[Clarence Campbell]] and McGregor jointly dropped the ceremonial first puck of the Penguins' opening home game against the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref name="Steel City Legend" /> On October 21, 1967, they became the first team from the expansion class to defeat an Original Six team, as they defeated the Chicago Black Hawks 4–2. However, the Penguins went 27–34–13 and finished in fifth place in the West Division, missing the playoffs and ending with the third-worst record in the league. The team's best player proved to be longtime [[Cleveland Barons (1937–73)|Cleveland Barons]] AHL goaltender [[Les Binkley]], who recorded a 2.88 [[goals-against average]] and was second in the league with six shutouts. Defensive winger [[Ken Schinkel]] won the team's sole league honor, being named to represent the Penguins in the [[21st National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]]. Bathgate led the team in scoring with 59 points but retired at season's end. McDonald, who led the team in goals and was second in team scoring, was also gone at season's end, traded to the [[St. Louis Blues]] in exchange for center [[Lou Angotti]].<ref name="History2016" />

The [[1968–69 NHL season|next season]] saw the team slip in the standings amid a sharp drop in form by Binkley, into sixth place and with the league's worst record. Several changes were made to improve the team, resulting in Boivin and several others being traded, and new players – including longtime future Penguins star [[Jean Pronovost]] – making their debuts. No captain was named to replace McDonald; the team went with four alternate captains.

====Triumph of playoff berths and tragedy of Briere (1969–1974)====
[[File:Michel Briere Penguins.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|alt=Photograph of Michele Briere whose number was taken out of circulation following a fatal accident |[[Michel Brière|Michel Briere]]'s number was taken out of circulation after his career-ending accident in 1970. It was later formally retired in 2001.]]
In the [[1969 NHL amateur draft|1969 draft]] the Penguins selected [[Michel Brière|Michel Briere]] who, although being chosen 26th, was soon drawing comparisons to [[Phil Esposito]] and [[Bobby Clarke]]. Joining the team in November, he finished as the second-place rookie scorer in the NHL (behind Bobby Clarke) with 44 points (57th overall), and third on the Penguins. Briere placed second in [[Calder Memorial Trophy]] voting for Rookie of the Year honors behind Chicago goaltender [[Tony Esposito]]. Briere led Pittsburgh to its first NHL playoff berth since the 1928 Pirates. The Penguins defeated the [[Oakland Seals]] in a four-game sweep in the quarterfinals, with Briere scoring the series-clinching goal in overtime. In the semifinals, defending conference champions St. Louis Blues got the best of the Penguins during six games. Briere led the team in playoff scoring, recording five goals (including three game-winners) and eight points. Tragedy struck the Penguins just days after their playoff heroics. On May 15, 1970, Briere was in a car crash in his native [[Quebec]], suffering brain trauma and slipping into a coma from which he would never recover; he died a year later. His number 21 jersey was never reissued, remaining out of circulation until it was formally retired in 2001.<ref name="History2016" />

In the [[1970–71 NHL season|1970–71 season]], the Penguins finished five games out of the playoffs with a 21–37–20 record, the fourth-worst record in the league. Pittsburgh achieved a playoff berth in [[1971–72 NHL season|1972]], only to be swept by the Chicago Black Hawks in the first round. Except for a handful of players like Ken Schinkel, Pronovost, [[Syl Apps Jr.]], [[Keith McCreary]], agitator [[Bryan Watson (ice hockey)|Bryan Watson]] and goaltender Les Binkley, talent was thin, but enough for the Penguins to reach the playoffs in both 1970 and 1972.

The Penguins battled the [[California Golden Seals]] for the division cellar in [[1973–74 NHL season|1974]], when Riley was fired as general manager and replaced by [[Jack Button]]. Button obtained [[Steve Durbano]], [[Ab DeMarco, Jr.|Ab DeMarco]], [[J. Bob Kelly|Bob "Battleship" Kelly]] and [[Bob Paradise]] through trades. The personnel moves proved successful, and the team improved to a 28–41–9 record, although they remained nine points away from a playoff berth.

However, in early 1975, the Penguins' creditors demanded payment of back debts, forcing the team into [[bankruptcy]]. The doors to the team's offices were padlocked, and it looked like the Penguins would fold or relocate.<ref>{{cite web|date=October 14, 1998|title=Penguins File For Chapter 11|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/penguins-file-for-chapter-11/|website=[[CBS News]]|access-date=July 24, 2019|archive-date=July 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725040405/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/penguins-file-for-chapter-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around the same time, rumors began circulating that the Penguins and the California Golden Seals 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 NHL season|1976–77 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lfRUAAAAIBAJ&dq=pittsburgh+penguins+seattle&pg=1128,1617031|title=Penguins like feel of home|date=January 23, 1975|work=[[The Leader-Post]]|via=Google News Archive Search}}</ref> Through the intervention of a group that included former [[Minnesota North Stars]] head coach [[Wren Blair]], the team was prevented from folding and remained in Pittsburgh, eventually being bought by [[shopping mall]] magnate [[Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr.]]

====Playoff runs and a uniform change (1974–1982)====
[[File:Lowell MacDonald.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|alt=Photograph of Lowell MacDonald holding his hockey stick on the ice |During the mid-1970s, [[Lowell MacDonald]] was paired with [[Syl Apps Jr.]] and [[Jean Pronovost]], forming the "Century [[line (ice hockey)|Line]]". MacDonald played with the Penguins from 1970 to 1978.]]
Beginning in the mid-1970s, Pittsburgh iced some powerful offensive clubs, led by the likes of the "Century Line" of Syl Apps, [[Lowell MacDonald]] and Jean Pronovost. They nearly reached the semifinals in [[1974–75 NHL season|1975]], but were ousted from the playoffs by the [[New York Islanders]] in one of the only four 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, a mediocre team defense neutralized the Penguins' success beyond the regular season. [[Baz Bastien]], a former coach and general manager of the AHL's Hornets, later became general manager. The Penguins missed the playoffs in [[1977–78 NHL season|1977–78]]. Bastien traded prime draft picks for several players whose best years were already behind them, 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 Sabres]] before a second-round sweep at the hands of the [[Boston Bruins]].<ref name="History2016" />

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 [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] and the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as the [[Flag of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Flag of Pittsburgh]]. Both the Pirates and Steelers had worn black and gold for decades, and both had enjoyed world championship seasons. The Bruins protested this color change, claiming a monopoly on black and gold, but the Penguins defended their choice stating that the NHL Pirates also used black and gold as their team colors and that black and gold were Pittsburgh's traditional sporting colors. The NHL agreed, and Pittsburgh could use black and gold. The Penguins officially debuted the black and gold uniform in a game against the St. Louis Blues at the Civic Arena on January 30, 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Dates |url=https://www.penguinschronicles.com/historic-dates.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 8, 2021 |website=penguinschronicle.com |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508202612/https://www.penguinschronicles.com/historic-dates.html}}</ref> On the ice, the Penguins began the 1980s with defenseman [[Randy Carlyle]], and prolific scorers [[Paul Gardner (ice hockey)|Paul Gardner]] and [[Mike Bullard (ice hockey)|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 Stanley Cup playoffs|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 Islanders. However, the Islanders rallied to force overtime and won the series on a goal by [[John Tonelli]], who had tied the game before.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2017/04/24/penguins-islanders-1982-stanley-cup-playoffs | title=How the Isles dynasty survived some the Penguins | newspaper=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> It would be the Penguins' final playoff appearance until [[1989 Stanley Cup playoffs|1989]].

===Lemieux–Jagr era (1984–2005)===
[[File:Mario Lemieux 1992.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|alt=Photograph of Mario Lemieux holding a stick and skating |[[Mario Lemieux]] played for the Penguins in two stints (1984–1997, 2000–2006).]]
The team had the league's worst record in both the [[1982–83 NHL season|1982–83]] and [[1983–84 NHL season|1983–84]] seasons. With the team suffering financial problems, it seemed the Penguins would either fold or relocate. [[Mario Lemieux]], one of the most highly touted NHL draft picks in history, was due to be drafted in the [[1984 NHL entry draft]]. Heading towards the end of the season ahead of the [[New Jersey Devils]], who were placed last, the Penguins made several questionable moves that appeared to weaken the team in the short term. They posted three six-game winless streaks in the last 21 games of the season and earned the right to draft Lemieux amidst protests from Devils' management.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Molinari |first=Dave |date=December 17, 2009 |title=Did the Pens tank the '83-'84 season to get Lemieux? |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09351/1021485-125.stm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201133510/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09351/1021485-125.stm |archive-date=February 1, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |website=post-gazette-com}}</ref> Pittsburgh head coach Lou Angotti later admitted that a conscious decision was made to finish the season as the team with the worst record, saying in an interview with the ''[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]'' that a mid-season lunch prompted the plan, because there was a high chance of the franchise folding if Lemieux was not drafted.<ref name="Angotti">{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2004 |title=Finder: Lessons can be learned from Angotti and 1984 |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04088/292486.stm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110311121336/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04088/292486.stm |archive-date=March 11, 2011 |access-date=May 8, 2021 |website=post-gazette.com}}</ref> Other teams offered substantial trade packages for the draft choice, but the Penguins kept the pick and drafted Lemieux first overall. Lemieux paid dividends right away, scoring on his first-ever shot of his first-ever NHL shift in his first NHL game. However, the team spent four more years out of the playoffs after his arrival. In the late 1980s, the Penguins finally gave Lemieux a strong supporting cast, trading for superstar defenseman [[Paul Coffey]] from the [[Edmonton Oilers]] (after the Oilers' [[1987 Stanley Cup Finals|1987 Stanley Cup]] win) and bringing in young talent like scorers [[Kevin Stevens]], [[Rob Brown (ice hockey)|Rob Brown]] and [[John Cullen]] from the minors. The team finally acquired a top-flight goaltender with the acquisition of [[Tom Barrasso]] from Buffalo. All this talent had an immediate impact in helping Lemieux lead the Penguins; but the team struggled to make the playoffs. In [[1985–86 NHL season|1985–86]], the Penguins missed the playoffs on the final day of the season by one game. In [[1986–87 NHL season|1986–87]], they missed the playoffs by just two games and saw four teams with equal or worse records qualify. In [[1987–88 NHL season|1987–88]], for the second time in a row, the Penguins missed the playoffs by one game.<ref name="History2010" />

In 1989, Pittsburgh finally broke through the barrier and made the playoffs on the back of Lemieux leading the league in goals, assists and points. On December 31, 1988, 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). The Penguins defeated the New York Rangers in a four-game sweep in the first round; however, the Philadelphia Flyers halted their progress in the second round. The seven-game defeat featured Lemieux scoring five goals in the fifth game.<ref name="History2010" />

====Back-to-back Stanley Cup titles (1989–1997)====
A [[herniated disc]] in Lemieux's back cut short his [[1989–90 NHL season|1989–90 season]], although he still amassed 123 points. However, the Penguins fell out of the playoff picture. They opted to strengthen their roster and support Lemieux in the 1990 off-season. Free-agent signings ([[Bryan Trottier]]) and trades ([[Joe Mullen]], [[Larry Murphy (ice hockey)|Larry Murphy]], [[Ron Francis]] and [[Ulf Samuelsson]]) played a major part in this. Arguably no move was bigger during this time than when the Penguins drafted [[Jaromír Jágr|Jaromir Jagr]] with the fifth overall pick in the [[1990 NHL entry draft]]. The first Czechoslovak player to be drafted into the NHL without first needing to defect to the West, Jagr became the Penguins' second franchise player, and quickly developed into a superstar offensive talent.
The roster overhaul culminated in the Penguins winning their first Stanley Cup title by defeating the Minnesota North Stars in the [[Stanley Cup Finals]] in six games, punctuated by an 8–0 victory in the deciding game, the largest margin of victory in a final Stanley Cup game in over 80 years. After the [[1991 Stanley Cup Finals]], the Penguins met with President [[George H. W. Bush]], the first NHL team ever to visit the [[White House]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.penguinjersey.com/Common/open.php | title=Pittsburgh Hockey History | publisher=PenguinsJersey.com | access-date=June 24, 2008 | archive-date=July 6, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706041457/http://www.penguinjersey.com/Common/open.php | url-status=dead}}</ref> The following season, the team lost coach [[Bob Johnson (ice hockey, born 1931)|Bob Johnson]] to [[cancer]], and [[Scotty Bowman]] took over as coach. Under Bowman, they swept the Chicago Blackhawks to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in [[1991–92 NHL season|1991–92]].<ref name="History2016" /><ref name="History2010" />

Cancer diagnosis revisited the Penguins in 1993 when Lemieux was diagnosed with [[Hodgkin lymphoma]]. Only two months after the diagnosis, missing 24 out of 84 games, he came back to win his fourth [[Art Ross Trophy]] as scoring champion with 160 points, edging out [[Pat LaFontaine]] and [[Adam Oates]]. Despite the off-ice difficulties, Pittsburgh finished with a 56–21–7 record, the franchise's best regular season ever, winning the [[Presidents' Trophy]]. After Lemieux's return, the team played better than it had before, winning an NHL-record 17 consecutive games. Despite all of the success, the [[1993 Stanley Cup playoffs|1993 playoffs]] ended in the division finals when the New York Islanders eliminated the Penguins in seven games.<ref name="History2010" /><ref name="History2016" />

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 Kovalev]], [[Martin Straka]], [[Alexei Morozov|Aleksey Morozov]], [[Robert Lang (ice hockey)|Robert Lang]] and [[Petr Nedvěd|Petr Nedved]], and defensemen [[Sergei Zubov]], [[Darius Kasparaitis]] and [[Kevin Hatcher]]. Despite the departure of many of the franchise's Stanley Cup-winning roster, the Penguins fielded enough talent to reach the first round of the playoffs in 1994 (where they lost to the [[Washington Capitals]] in six games), the second round in 1995 (where they lost to the New Jersey Devils in five games) and the conference finals in 1996 (where they lost to the [[Florida Panthers]] in seven games). The 1997 playoffs marked a turning point, as the Penguins suffered a first-round elimination at the hands of the rival Philadelphia Flyers in five games.<ref name="History2010" />

====Lemieux's retirement and return (1997–2001)====
[[File:Mario Lemieux 2001.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|alt=Photograph of Mario Lemieux on the ice holding a hockey stick |Lemieux with the Penguins during the [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01 season]], his first season after coming out of retirement.]]
On April 6, 1997, the franchise was rocked when Mario Lemieux, citing ongoing health concerns and his disapproval with the way NHL hockey was being officiated, announced he would retire at the conclusion of the 1997 playoffs. Lemieux was so respected in the NHL, and his achievements over the course of his career were so great, that he was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in the year he retired, the three-year waiting period being waived. His departure was the first in a series of events that would once again lead the Penguins into regular season stagnation, and to the brink of financial ruin.

The Montreal Canadiens eliminated the team in the first round of the playoffs in 1998, despite being the second-seeded team in the East. The following year, their playoff run ended in the second round when they lost to the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] in six games. In 2000, the Penguins stunned the highly touted Washington Capitals 4–1 in the first round, only to fall to the Philadelphia Flyers 4–2 in the second round.

By this time, the lofty contracts handed out during the early 1990s were catching up with the Penguins. At one point, the team owed over $90 million to numerous creditors, leading then-owners [[Howard Baldwin]] and [[Morris Belzberg]] (who bought the Penguins after their first Stanley Cup win) to ask 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, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] bankruptcy in November 1998.

Lemieux then stepped in with an unusual proposal to buy the team out of bankruptcy. The Penguins owed Lemieux $32.5 million in deferred salary, making him the team's largest individual creditor. He proposed recovering this money by converting it into equity – enough to give him controlling interest. He also vowed to keep the team in Pittsburgh. The NHL and the courts agreed, and Lemieux (with help from supermarket tycoon [[Ronald Burkle]]) assumed control on September 3, 1999, saving the franchise for the second time.<ref name="History2016" />

Lemieux again shocked the hockey world by announcing at a press conference on December 8, 2000, his intentions to return to the Penguins as an active player. On December 27, 2000, Lemieux stepped onto NHL ice for the first time in 44 months, officially becoming the first player–owner in NHL history. Lemieux helped lead the Penguins deep into the [[2001 Stanley Cup playoffs|2001 playoffs]], highlighted by an overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres in game 7 of the second round. Darius Kasparaitis scored the series-clinching goal to advance the Penguins to the conference finals, where they lost in five games to the New Jersey Devils.<ref name="History2016" />

====Rebuilding (2001–2005)====
[[File:Marc-Andre Fleury 2014-12-12.JPG|thumb|alt=Photograph of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury waering his face mask |[[Marc-André Fleury|Marc-Andre Fleury]] was drafted first overall in [[2003 NHL entry draft|2003]] by the Penguins.]]
The Penguins' attendance had dwindled in the late 1990s. In 1998–99, the club had an average attendance of 14,825 at home games, the lowest it had been since Lemieux's rookie year.<ref name="attendance">{{cite web|title=Hockey Central |url=http://www.hockeycentral.co.uk/penguins/records/Penguins-Records.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609021604/http://www.hockeycentral.co.uk/penguins/records/Penguins-Records.php|url-status=dead |date=June 9, 2012|archive-date=June 9, 2012}} Penguins attendance records</ref> Reducing revenue on top of the previous bankruptcy necessitated salary shedding. The biggest salary move was the trading of superstar Jaromir Jagr to the Washington Capitals in the summer of 2001. The Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time in 12 years in [[2001–02 NHL season|2002]], finishing in a tie for third-to-last in their conference. The [[2002–03 NHL season|following season]] they finished second-last. In the [[2003 NHL entry draft]], the Penguins selected goaltender [[Marc-André Fleury|Marc-Andre Fleury]] with the first overall pick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fleury has history against him |url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/s_141232.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090615012308/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/s_141232.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2008 |work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Fleury shines debut; Penguins still lose|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/fleury-shines-debut-pens-still-lose-1.387844|access-date=November 25, 2008|date=October 10, 2003|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]|archive-date=June 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615012122/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2003/10/10/fleury031010.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 season]] was an ordeal with Lemieux missing all but 24 regular season games with a hip injury, and attendance dipping to an average of 11,877 (the lowest average of any NHL team), with just one sellout.<ref name="attendance"/> As the season progressed, the Penguins signed new head coach (and former Penguins' player and commentator) [[Eddie Olczyk]] and opted not to include Fleury in the lineup for the bulk of the season. This culminated in the worst record in the NHL, with the team winning just 23 games. As in the 1980s, the Penguins' struggles were fortuitously concurrent with a string of NHL entry draft classes that would yield multiple world-class talents. The Penguins lost out on the first overall pick for the [[2004 NHL entry draft]] ([[Alexander Ovechkin]]), which went to the Washington Capitals. However, Ovechkin's countryman, center [[Evgeni Malkin]], was similarly highly regarded, and Pittsburgh took him with the second overall pick. However, a transfer dispute between the NHL and the [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) delayed his Pittsburgh debut.<ref name=Malkindraft>{{cite web|title=NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=2004&team=PIT&position=&round=|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 26, 2021|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618175552/http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=2004&team=PIT&position=&round=|url-status=live}}</ref>

By this point, the Penguins had collapsed financially since the Stanley Cup-winning years of the early 1990s. Their home venue, the Civic Arena, had become the oldest arena in the NHL, and Lemieux had tried unsuccessfully to cut a deal with the city for a new facility. With Pittsburgh uninterested in building a new hockey arena for the struggling Penguins, Lemieux began looking into the possibilities of selling or relocating the team to [[Kansas City, Missouri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=590199|title=It Was a Great Night For Hockey – in Kansas City|website=National Hockey League|access-date=May 29, 2012|archive-date=December 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205162907/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=590199|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=It Was a Great Night For Hockey - in Kansas City |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/it-was-a-great-night-for-hockey-in-kansas-city/c-590199 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=NHL.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2007 |title=Penguins declare impasse, will explore relocation |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2788701 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2006 |title=Hockey hopefuls in Kansas City giddy over Penguins' comments this week |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/other/2006-12-21/hockey-hopefuls-in-kansas-city-giddy-over-penguins-comments-this-week |access-date=March 9, 2022 |website=STLPR}}</ref> A [[2004–05 NHL lockout|lockout]] prompted the cancellation of the [[2004–05 NHL season]]. One of the many reasons for the lockout included disagreements on resolving the financial struggles of teams like the Penguins and the [[Ottawa Senators]], which had filed for bankruptcy protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/judge-grants-ottawa-senators-bankruptcy-protection-1.359571|title=Judge grants Ottawa Senators bankruptcy protection|website=cbc.ca|access-date=May 29, 2012|archive-date=January 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110124932/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2003/01/09/senators_030109.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During the lockout, the Penguins' players dispersed between the club's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the [[Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins]], and to European leagues.<ref name="History2016" />

===Crosby–Malkin era (2005–present)===
[[File:SidneyCrosby.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|left|alt=Photograph of Sydney Crosby getting ready to pass a puck |[[Sidney Crosby]] during his [[2006–07 NHL season|sophomore season]] with the Penguins. He was drafted first overall by the team in the [[2005 NHL entry draft|2005 draft]].]]
With the lockout resolved in 2005, the NHL organized an unprecedented draft lottery to set the [[2005 NHL entry draft]] selection order. The draft lottery, which was held behind closed doors in a "secure location", resulted in the Penguins being awarded the first overall pick.<ref name="lottery">{{cite web |last1=Burnside |first1=Scott |title=Penguins, league hit jackpot with lottery |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2114567 |website=[[ESPN.com]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |date=July 22, 2005 |archive-date=March 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318113926/https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2114567 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Draft Lottery History |url=https://www.tsn.ca/history-of-the-nhl-draft-lottery-1.236014 |website=[[TSN.ca]] |access-date=April 9, 2019 |date=April 8, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408160601/https://www.tsn.ca/history-of-the-nhl-draft-lottery-1.236014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=NHL Entry and Amateur Draft History |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/draft/ |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331212916/https://www.hockey-reference.com/draft/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Quebec Major Junior Hockey League]] (QMJHL) superstar [[Sidney Crosby]] (who had been training with Lemieux over the summer)<ref name="lottery"/> was the consensus first overall pick, with many referring to the draft lottery process as "The Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes". The Penguins selected Crosby on July 30, 2005, with the top pick, instantly rekindling interest in hockey in Pittsburgh.<ref name="History2010" />

The Penguins began rebuilding the team under the salary cap. However, Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins' 2004 draft pick, could not report to Pittsburgh immediately because of a playing rights dispute with the [[Russian Superleague]]. The addition of Crosby paid instant dividends, with attendance rising by approximately 4,000 per game on average in the 2005–06 season.<ref name="attendance"/> However, Crosby's presence did not immediately translate into wins, as the team began the season with a long winless skid that resulted in a head coaching change from Olczyk to [[Michel Therrien]]. Then, on January 24, 2006, Lemieux announced his second retirement, after developing an [[Atrial fibrillation|irregular heartbeat]], this time permanently. He finished as the NHL's seventh all-time scorer (1,723), eighth in goals (690) and tenth in assists (1,033), and with the second-highest career points per game average (1.88), which is second to [[Wayne Gretzky]]'s 1.92.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2304087 | publisher=[[ESPN]] | title=Lemieux announces retirement | date=January 25, 2006 | access-date=January 24, 2006 | archive-date=February 10, 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210160438/http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2304087 | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Allen | first=Kevin | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins/2006-01-24-lemieux-retire_x.htm | work=[[USA Today]] | title=Lemieux says goodbye for final time | date=January 25, 2006 | access-date=September 8, 2017 | archive-date=July 7, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707005055/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins/2006-01-24-lemieux-retire_x.htm | url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the team's struggles, Crosby established himself as a star in the league, amassing 102 points in his debut season and finishing second to Alexander Ovechkin for the Calder Memorial Trophy awarded each year to the league's top rookie. In the Penguins' final game of the season, Crosby tallied a goal and an assist to become the top-scoring rookie in Penguin history (eclipsing Lemieux). The Penguins again posted the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the highest goals-against total in the League. They received the second overall draft pick, their fourth top-two pick in four years, in the [[2006 NHL entry draft]], and selected touted two-way forward [[Jordan Staal]]. The team announced on April 20 they would not renew the contract for general manager [[Craig Patrick]], who had been the general manager since December 1989.<ref>{{cite web |author=CBC Sports |url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins-part-ways-with-patrick-1.584127 |title=Penguins part ways with Patrick |publisher=CBC News |date=April 21, 2006 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105071029/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/04/20/patrick-penguins060420.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 25, [[Ray Shero]] signed a five-year contract as general manager.

====Resurgence and third Stanley Cup title (2006–2010)====
[[File:Evgeni Malkin (5364851150).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=Photograph of Evgeni Malkin holding a hockey stick on the ice|[[Evgeni Malkin]] made an immediate impact, driving the Penguins to their first playoff appearance in six years.]]
Change came for the Penguins on October 18, 2006, when Evgeni Malkin made his NHL debut. He set the modern NHL record with a goal in each of his first six games. Malkin would record points in 16 consecutive games.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/GS020892.HTM | title=Game Summary | website=[[National Hockey League]] | date=February 19, 2007 | access-date=February 20, 2007 | archive-date=June 11, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611021521/http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20062007/GS020892.HTM | url-status=live}}</ref> The Penguins finished the [[2006–07 NHL season|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 Atlantic Division winners, the New Jersey Devils. It was the franchise's first 100-point season in 11 years and represented an enormous 47-point leap from the previous season. In the first round of the [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007 playoffs]] the eventual Stanley Cup runners-up, the Ottawa Senators, defeated the Penguins 4–1. At the season's end, rookies Malkin and Jordan Staal were finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Rookie of the Year, which Malkin won.

On March 13, 2007, Pennsylvania's governor [[Ed Rendell]], [[Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Allegheny County]] chief executive [[Dan Onorato]], Pittsburgh's mayor [[Luke Ravenstahl]] and Mario Lemieux of the Penguins ownership group announced an agreement had been reached among the parties to build the long-sought arena. The completion of [[PPG Paints Arena|Consol Energy Center]] guaranteed that the Penguins would remain in Pittsburgh. Following the announcement of the plan, the Lemieux ownership group announced they no longer had plans to sell the team. On June 8, 2007, a $325 million [[Bond (finance)|bond]] was issued, and the Penguins signed a 30-year [[lease]] on September 19, binding them to the city of Pittsburgh through 2040.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2007 |title=Authority OKs bond issue, lease for Penguins arena |url=https://www.sportsvideo.org/2007/06/08/authority-oks-bond-issue-lease-for-penguins-arena/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 9, 2021 |website=sportsvideo.org |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509133545/https://www.sportsvideo.org/2007/06/08/authority-oks-bond-issue-lease-for-penguins-arena/}}</ref>

After a mediocre start to the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], Crosby and starting goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury were both injured long-term due to high right ankle sprains. In their absence, the team flourished because of the play and leadership of Malkin. 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 Flyers. Malkin finished the season with 106 points for second place in the league and finished as a finalist for the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]]. 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 Trophy]]. Pittsburgh lost the [[2008 Stanley Cup Finals]] to the Detroit Red Wings in six games, finishing the playoffs with a 14–6 record. Crosby finished the playoffs with 27 points (6 goals and 21 assists in 20 games), tying [[Conn Smythe Trophy]]-winner [[Henrik Zetterberg]] (13 goals and 14 assists in 22 games) for the playoff scoring lead.

[[File:Sidney Crosby with Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz 2009-06-06.JPG|thumb|left|alt=Photograph if Crosy, Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz talking on ice during a game |Crosby, [[Bill Guerin]], and [[Chris Kunitz]] during the [[2009 Stanley Cup Finals]]. The Penguins defeated the [[Detroit Red Wings]] in the Finals, earning their third Stanley Cup title.]]
In the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]], Malkin won the Art Ross and was again a candidate for the Hart Memorial Trophy. Crosby finished third in League scoring with 33 goals and 70 assists for 103 points, despite missing five games. The Penguins' record dipped mid-season but lifted after [[Dan Bylsma]] replaced head coach Therrien. The effect was almost instantaneous, and the Penguins recovered enough to secure home-ice advantage in their first-round match up against the Philadelphia Flyers, whom the Penguins defeated in six games. It took seven games for the Penguins to win the next series against Washington, sending them to the conference finals, where they eliminated the [[Carolina Hurricanes]] in a four-game sweep. After defeating the Hurricanes, the Penguins earned their second consecutive trip to the [[2009 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] against the Detroit Red Wings, to whom they lost the previous year. After losing games 1 and 2 in [[Detroit]], 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, [[Maxime Talbot]] scored two goals, including the game-winner, as the Penguins won 2–1 to win their third Stanley Cup title.<ref>{{cite news | first=Kevin | last=Allen | title=Penguins ride Talbot to 2–1 Game 7 win over Red Wings | date=June 13, 2009 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/2009-06-12-penguins-red-wings-game-7_N.htm | work=[[USA Today]] | access-date=July 2, 2009 | archive-date=June 16, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616100025/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup/2009-06-12-penguins-red-wings-game-7_N.htm | url-status=live}}</ref> Malkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the playoffs.<ref name="History2010" />

During the [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]], Crosby scored 109 points (51 goals and 58 assists) in 81 games, winning the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy]] as the NHL season's leading goalscorer. The Penguins, seeded fourth in the East, began their title defense, defeating the Ottawa Senators in six games. In the next round, the Penguins faced the Montreal Canadiens. The teams swapped wins in the series en route to the decisive game 7, which the Penguins lost 5–2, ending their season and their tenure at Mellon Arena.<ref>{{cite news |author=Aaron Beard |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2009101407 |title=Penguins beat Hurricanes 3–2 in shootout |work=Yahoo! Sports |date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=December 29, 2010 |archive-date=October 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018074819/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2009101407 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====New arena and injuries (2010–2015)====
[[File:Consol Energy Center March 2010.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of the exterior of the Console Energy Center|Outside of [[PPG Paints Arena|Consol Energy Center]] (now PPG Paints Arena) in March 2010 before it officially opened.]]
[[File:2011 Winter Classic player entrance.jpg|thumb|left|alt= Photograph of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals on the ice before the 2011 NHL Winter Classic in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field |The Penguins hosted the [[Washington Capitals]] at [[Heinz Field]] during the [[2011 NHL Winter Classic|2011 Winter Classic]].]]
In [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]], the Penguins played their first game in [[Consol Energy Center]]. On February 11, 2011, the [[Pittsburgh Penguins–New York Islanders brawl]] took place.<ref name=brawl2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=552570|title=NHL levies suspensions to Penguins and Isles|website=National Hockey League|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=March 4, 2011|archive-date=February 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226234921/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=552570|url-status=live}}</ref> A season-ending concussion suffered by Crosby and a knee injury to Malkin marred the season. The team left early in the playoffs, blowing a 3–1 series lead to [[Tampa Bay Lightning]], with Fleury's goaltending called into question.<ref>{{cite news|title=Home ice may be dividing line between Pens, Bolts|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=559010&navid=DL%7cNHL%7cPlayoffs2011Round1Series4|access-date=April 12, 2011|date=April 10, 2011|work=NHL.com|archive-date=April 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416100949/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=559010&navid=DL%7CNHL%7CPlayoffs2011Round1Series4|url-status=live}}</ref> With Crosby still sidelined with [[post-concussion syndrome]], at the start of the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]], Malkin led the Penguins' top line and dominated league scoring. He finished with 50 goals and 109 points as the Penguins earned 51 wins on the season. With Malkin's Art Ross-winning performance, and Crosby's late-season return from injury, the Penguins headed into the [[2012 Stanley Cup playoffs|2012 playoffs]] with high hopes of making a significant Stanley Cup run. However, their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, defeated the highly favored Penguins in six games.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gelston|first=Dan|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=629282|title=Penguins humbled, disappointed after being ushered from playoffs by rival Flyers|website=National Hockey League|access-date=June 23, 2012|date=April 23, 2012|archive-date=June 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617082413/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=629282|url-status=live}}</ref> Malkin was later awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy and [[Ted Lindsay Award|Lester B. Pearson award]]. Following the Penguins' disappointing playoff exit, general manager Ray Shero made changes to the team at the [[2012 NHL entry draft]] for the upcoming [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Masisak|first=Corey|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=635610|title=Penguins deal Jordan Staal to 'Canes|website=National Hockey League|access-date=June 23, 2013|date=June 22, 2012|archive-date=June 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623223755/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=635610|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=399048|title=Penguins trade Michalek back to Phoenix for Ruopp, pick|publisher=TSN|access-date=June 23, 2012|date=June 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626011814/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=399048|archive-date=June 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the [[2012–13 NHL lockout|lockout]]-shortened 2012–13 season, the Penguins again fought through serious injury. At the end of the regular season, they finished atop the Eastern Conference, matching up against the New York Islanders in round one. The Penguins defeated the Islanders in six games, with Fleury struggling once again. The team then dispatched the Ottawa Senators in five games before being swept in the conference finals by the Boston Bruins, scoring just two goals in the entire four-game sweep. On June 13, 2013, Malkin signed an eight-year contract extension worth an annual average of $9.5 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/6/13/4426208/pittsburgh-penguins-evgeni-malkin-contract-extension|title=Evgeni Malkin contract: Penguins forward agrees to 8-year, $76 million extension|date=June 13, 2013|publisher=SB Nation|access-date=May 7, 2021|archive-date=May 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525143338/http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/6/13/4426208/pittsburgh-penguins-evgeni-malkin-contract-extension|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Phil Kessel 2017-06-08.jpg|thumb|alt=Photograph of Phil Kessel |On July 1, 2015, the Penguins acquired right-winger [[Phil Kessel]] in a multi-player deal.]]
In the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]], the Penguins suffered numerous injuries throughout the campaign. Despite the adversity, the Penguins won the realigned, eight-team [[Metropolitan Division]], though the club struggled in the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], requiring six games to defeat the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]], then losing to the New York Rangers in seven games despite leading the series 3–1 after four games. This collapse prompted Penguins ownership to fire general manager Shero, replacing him on June 6 with [[Jim Rutherford]], the former general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24564341/report-penguins-fire-head-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-ray-shero|title=Penguins fire Ray Shero, new GM to decide Dan Bylsma's fate|work=CBS Sports|access-date=May 16, 2014|date=May 16, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114409/http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24564341/report-penguins-fire-head-coach-dan-bylsma-gm-ray-shero|url-status=live}}</ref> Rutherford's first action as general manager was to fire head coach Dan Bylsma, and on June 25, he announced that [[Mike Johnston (ice hockey)|Mike Johnston]] was hired as Bylsma's replacement. In the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]], the Penguins led the Metropolitan Division for the first half of the season. However, after losing players to injuries and illnesses, including the [[mumps]], the team fell to fourth in the division. The Penguins lost in five games to the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs. In the off-season, Rutherford traded several players and picks to acquire star winger [[Phil Kessel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-acquire-kessel-from-maple-leafs/c-773329|title=Penguins acquire Kessel from Maple Leafs|date=July 1, 2015|publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 2, 2021|archive-date=December 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201225071442/https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-acquire-kessel-from-maple-leafs/c-773329|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Back-to-back Stanley Cups and 50th anniversary (2015–2017)====
After acquiring Kessel, the Penguins had high expectations for the 2015–16 season. However, by December 12, 2015, the team was barely managing a winning season, posting a 15–10–3 record. The organization fired head coach Mike Johnston, and replaced him with [[Mike Sullivan (ice hockey)|Mike Sullivan]], who had previously served as the head coach in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mike Sullivan Named Head Coach of Pittsburgh Penguins|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=792317|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=June 13, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215004716/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=792317|url-status=live}}</ref> This move was followed by a series of trades by Jim Rutherford.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/9620753-74/penguins-sullivan-scuderi | title = Penguins notebook: Scuderi traded to Blackhawks for Daley | work = [[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]] | date =December 14, 2015 | access-date =December 15, 2015 | archive-date =December 16, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151216230854/http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/9620753-74/penguins-sullivan-scuderi | url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=798014|title=Penguins acquire forward Carl Hagelin from the Ducks|publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2016|archive-date=January 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117123904/http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=798014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sidney Crosby (27596105842).jpg|thumb|left|alt=Crosby with the Stanley Cup during the Penguins' victory parade. |Crosby with the Stanley Cup during the Penguins' victory parade. The team won their fourth Stanley Cup championship in [[2016 Stanley Cup Finals|2016]].]]
The Penguins qualified for the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season. They earned second place in the Metropolitan Division with 104 points. In the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoffs]], the Penguins defeated the Rangers in a 4–1 series, the Capitals 4–2 and the Lightning 4–3 to win the Eastern Conference championship, advancing to the [[2016 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] against the [[San Jose Sharks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins-top-lightning-2-1-to-advance-to-stanley-cup-final|title=Penguins top Lightning 2–1 to advance to Stanley Cup final|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330093441/https://montrealgazette.com/sports/hockey/nhl/penguins-top-lightning-2-1-to-advance-to-stanley-cup-final|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 12, 2016, the Penguins defeated the Sharks in a 4–2 series to win their fourth Stanley Cup title. Captain Sidney Crosby was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.<ref>{{cite news|last=West|first=Bill|title=Penguins' Crosby tabbed as Conn Smythe winner|url=http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/10607782-74/crosby-penguins-points|date=June 13, 2016|work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|access-date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=June 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616010356/http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/10607782-74/crosby-penguins-points|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Penguins opened their 50th anniversary season in the NHL as defending Stanley Cup champions, raising their commemorative banner on October 13, 2016, in a shootout victory over Washington.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mackey|first1=Jason|title=Arena, fans aglow as Penguins raise Cup banner|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2016/10/13/Penguins-open-season-with-Stanley-Cup-banner-ceremony/stories/201610130207|website=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|access-date=January 2, 2017|date=October 14, 2016|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103093840/http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2016/10/13/Penguins-open-season-with-Stanley-Cup-banner-ceremony/stories/201610130207|url-status=live}}</ref> The Penguins faced the Columbus Blue Jackets in the opening round of the [[2017 Stanley Cup playoffs|2017 playoffs]], defeating them in five games. In the second round, they played against their divisional rival, Washington, and faced them for the second-straight year in the same round, winning a seven-game series. In the conference finals, the Penguins eliminated the Ottawa Senators in seven games to advance to the [[2017 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]], where they faced the [[Nashville Predators]]. The Penguins won the first two games of the finals and then lost the next two matchups before dominating the fifth and the sixth games of the series to win the Stanley Cup for the second straight year. By defending their title, the Penguins became the first team since the [[1997–98 Detroit Red Wings season|1997–98 Detroit Red Wings]] to defend their title successfully and the first to do so in the salary cap era.<ref name="History2016" />

[[File:2017 SCF Game 6 Hornqvist celebrates game winning goal.jpg|thumb|alt= Photograph of Patric Hornqvist celebrating the Stanley Cup clinching goal|[[Patric Hörnqvist|Patric Hornqvist]] celebrates the [[2017 Stanley Cup Finals|2017 Stanley Cup]]-clinching goal against the [[Nashville Predators]].]]

====Playoff streak (2017–2023)====
Before the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]], the Penguins lost longtime goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury in the [[2017 NHL expansion draft]] to the [[Vegas Golden Knights]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/fleury-claimed-by-vegas/c-290051212|title=Marc-Andre Fleury Claimed by Vegas Golden Knights in NHL Expansion Draft|date=June 20, 2017|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=June 20, 2017|archive-date=August 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804012438/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/fleury-claimed-by-vegas/c-290051212|url-status=live}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Penguins again qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs with the second division playoff spot, finishing the regular season with 100 points. They defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round in six games, but were defeated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in six games.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alex Ovechkin, Capitals put halt to 20-year East finals drought|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23437778/alex-ovechkin-washington-capitals-end-20-year-east-finals-drought|publisher=ESPN|access-date=May 8, 2018|date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=May 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508075138/http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/23437778/alex-ovechkin-washington-capitals-end-20-year-east-finals-drought|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2018–19 NHL season|next season]], the Penguins clinched a playoff berth, but were swept by the New York Islanders in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Islanders win Game 4, sweep Penguins in first round |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-recap/c-306818826 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 17, 2019 |date=April 16, 2019 |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417025032/https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-recap/c-306818826 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the following season, which was shortened by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the team advanced to the [[2020 Stanley Cup playoffs|2020 playoffs]], but were defeated by the Montreal Canadiens in the qualifying round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadiens shut out Penguins in Game 4 of Cup Qualifiers, win series |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-montreal-canadiens-game-4-recap/c-317515724 |website=NHL.com |access-date=August 7, 2020 |date=August 7, 2020 |archive-date=September 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911135602/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-montreal-canadiens-game-4-recap/c-317515724 |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 9, 2021, the Penguins named [[Ron Hextall]] as their new general manager, after Jim Rutherford resigned from his post on January 27, because of personal reasons. [[Brian Burke (ice hockey)|Brian Burke]] was hired as president of hockey operations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-name-ron-hextall-as-gm-brian-burke-as-president-of-hockey-ops/c-321240436|title=Penguins name Ron Hextall as GM, Brian Burke as President of Hockey Ops|publisher=National Hockey League |date=February 9, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2020|archive-date=February 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209192605/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-name-ron-hextall-as-gm-brian-burke-as-president-of-hockey-ops/c-321240436|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Rutherford resigns as Penguins general manager |url=https://www.tsn.ca/jim-rutherford-resigns-as-general-manager-of-the-pittsburgh-penguins-citing-personal-reasons-1.1583721 |website=TSN.ca |access-date=February 2, 2021 |date=January 27, 2021 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201061919/https://www.tsn.ca/jim-rutherford-resigns-as-general-manager-of-the-pittsburgh-penguins-citing-personal-reasons-1.1583721 |url-status=live}}</ref> On February 21, Crosby became the first player to reach [[List of NHL players with 1,000 games played|1,000 NHL games]] for the team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Family, teammates and rivals congratulate Crosby for 1,000th game |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-celebrate-1000-nhl-games/c-321623746 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221030254/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-celebrate-1000-nhl-games/c-321623746 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Penguins won the [[East Division (NHL)|East Division]] title, extending their playoff streak to 15 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=Penguins Clinch East Division Title |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-clinch-east-division-title/c-324496520 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 10, 2021 |date=May 9, 2021 |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509023923/https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-clinch-east-division-title/c-324496520 |url-status=live}}</ref> This became the longest active streak in North American sports as a result of the [[San Antonio Spurs]] missing the [[2020 NBA playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Penguins, Capitals each clinch playoff berth in OT game |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-recap/c-323714682 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 29, 2021 |date=April 29, 2021 |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430021347/https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-washington-capitals-game-recap/c-323714682 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]] came to an end in game 6 of the first round of the [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs|2021 playoffs]] against the New York Islanders.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crosby has 'zero doubt' about Penguins core despite early playoff exit |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-believes-in-pittsburgh-penguins-core-despite-loss/c-325027120 |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 27, 2021 |date=May 27, 2021 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608032113/https://www.nhl.com/news/sidney-crosby-believes-in-pittsburgh-penguins-core-despite-loss/c-325027120 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 29, 2021, [[Fenway Sports Group]] announced its intent to purchase a controlling stake in the Penguins.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 29, 2021|title=Fenway Sports Group agrees to purchase Penguins, leaving just NHL owners' approval before deal is official|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/11/28/sports/fenway-sports-group-signs-purchase-agreement-control-pittsburgh-penguins/|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=The Boston Globe}}</ref> On December 31, 2021, they officially took over as majority owners of the Penguins.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 5, 2022|title=Fenway Sports Group formally takes over Penguins|url=https://triblive.com/sports/fenway-sports-group-formally-takes-over-penguins/|access-date=January 6, 2022|website=TribLive.com}}</ref> In the first round of the [[2022 Stanley Cup playoffs]], the Penguins lost in seven games to the [[New York Rangers]] despite having a 3–1 series lead. The game 7 loss marked the first time the Penguins lost a game 7 on the road in franchise history after going 6–0 the previous six instances.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rorabaugh |first1=Seth |title=Penguins drop Game 7 in overtime despite returns by Sidney Crosby, Tristan Jarry |url=https://triblive.com/sports/penguins-drop-game-7-in-overtime-despite-returns-by-sidney-crosby-tristan-jarry/ |website=TribLIVE.com |access-date=May 16, 2022 |date=May 15, 2022}}</ref>

The [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]] was marked with two milestones for the Penguins. On November 23, 2022, [[Evgeni Malkin]] played his 1,000th NHL game, becoming the second player in franchise history to play his 1,000th game in a Penguins uniform.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Penguins honor Malkin for 1,000 games with pregame ceremony |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-honor-evgeni-malkin-for-1000-games-with-pregame-ceremony/c-337964024 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 5, 2023 |date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> This would be followed up only months later, when teammate [[Kris Letang]] would play his 1,000th game as well, on April 2, 2023, despite missing 18 games during the season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Penguins to Honor Kris Letang's 1,000th Game Milestone on Sunday, April 2 |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-to-honor-kris-letangs-1000th-game-milestone-on-sunday-april-2/c-342987484 |website=NHL.com |access-date=April 5, 2023 |date=April 2, 2023}}</ref> However, despite being in a playoff position midway in the season, the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since Crosby's rookie season in 2005–06, ending a 16-season playoff streak and resulting in dismissals of Burke and Hextall.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rosen |first=Dan |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-eliminated-from-playoff-contention-ending-streak/c-343457926 |title=Penguins eliminated from playoff contention, 16-year postseason run ends |website=NHL.com |date=April 13, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Penguins fire president Burke, GM Hextall after missing playoffs |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-fires-president-brian-burke-gm-ron-hextall-after-missing-playoffs/c-343541130 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref>

====Dubas era and decline (2023–present)====
On June 1, 2023, [[Kyle Dubas]] was named the team's new president of hockey operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Penguins hire Dubas as president of hockey operations |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kyle-dubas-hired-as-pittsburgh-president-of-hockey-ops/c-344675524 |access-date=June 4, 2023 |website=NHL.com}}</ref> On August 6, the Penguins traded for [[Norris Trophy]]-winning defenseman [[Erik Karlsson]] in a three-team deal also involving the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Satriano |first1=David |title=Karlsson goes to Penguins in 3-team trade with Sharks, Canadiens |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/erik-karlsson-traded-to-pittsburgh-in-3-team-trade/c-345528364 |website=NHL.com |access-date=August 6, 2023 |date=August 6, 2023}}</ref> On February 18, 2024, the Penguins retired the no. 68 of franchise legend Jaromir Jagr in a pregame celebration, with Jagr becoming just the third Penguin to receive the honor. Prior to the NHL trade deadline, the Penguins parted ways with longtime and fan favorite forward [[Jake Guentzel]], trading him to the [[Carolina Hurricanes]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Canes Acquire Guentzel, Smith From Penguins |url=https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-acquire-guentzel-smith-from-penguins |website=NHL.com |date=March 7, 2024 |access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Despite the trades, and a late season playoff push, the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention for the second consecutive year on the penultimate night of the season When the [[Detroit Red Wings]] defeated the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in overtime while the Capitals defeated the [[Philadelphia Flyers]], clinching the final spot as the second wild card.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guise |first1=Michael |title=Pittsburgh Penguins to miss Stanley Cup Playoffs for second time in 2 years |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-penguins-playoff-chances-stanley-cup-playoffs-updates/ |website=CBS News (KDKA) |access-date=April 16, 2024 |date=April 16, 2024}}</ref>

On September 16, 2024, Sidney Crosby signed a two-year $17.4 million extension to remain with the Penguins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-re-sign-sidney-crosby-to-a-two-year-contract-extension |title=Penguins Re-Sign Sidney Crosby to a Two-Year Contract Extension |access-date=May 15, 2025 |website=NHL.com |publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |date=September 16, 2024}}</ref> The [[2024–25 NHL season|2024–25 season]] was marked with many milestones by the Penguins' longtime dynastic duo. On October 10, Malkin recorded his 800th career assist on a goal by [[Erik Karlsson]] in a 6–3 win over the [[Detroit Red Wings]], becoming the 34th player in league history to reach the mark.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rossi |first1=Rob |title=Penguins' Evgeni Malkin records 800th assist, becomes 34th player in NHL history to reach feat |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5835637/2024/10/10/evgeni-malkin-penguins-800-assists/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225180941/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5835637/2024/10/10/evgeni-malkin-penguins-800-assists/ |archive-date=December 25, 2024 |date=October 10, 2024}}</ref> Two days later, Malkin recorded his 1,300th NHL point with an assist on a goal by [[Rickard Rakell]], becoming the 37th player in league history to reach the mark.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Damp |first1=Patrick |title=Evgeni Malkin hits career milestone in second straight game, records 1,300th career point |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/evgeni-malkin-1300-career-points/ |website=CBS News |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=October 13, 2024}}</ref> On October 16, Malkin scored his 500th career goal in a 6–5 overtime win over the [[Buffalo Sabres]], to become the 48th player in league history to reach the mark and 24th player to do so with one franchise.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vensel |first1=Matt |title=Evgeni Malkin scores 500th goal, the 3rd Penguins player to hit the milestone |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2024/10/16/evgeni-malkin-500-goals/stories/202410160082 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=May 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518083335/https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2024/10/16/evgeni-malkin-500-goals/stories/202410160082 |archive-date=May 18, 2025 |date=October 16, 2024}}</ref> On November 23, Crosby scored his 600th NHL goal against the [[Utah Hockey Club]], becoming the 21st player in league history and second player in Penguins history to achieve the feat.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guise |first1=Michael |title=Penguins' Sidney Crosby scores 600th career goal |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/sidney-crosby-600-career-goals-pittsburgh-penguins/ |website=CBS News |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=November 23, 2024}}</ref> On April 6, 2025, the Penguins were eliminated from playoff contention for the third consecutive season following a 3–1 loss to the [[Chicago Blackhawks]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Penguins miss playoffs, goaltending, lack of depth among reasons |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/why-pittsburgh-penguins-are-eliminated-from-2024-2025-postseason-race |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=April 7, 2025}}</ref> This was the Penguins' first season finishing with a losing record since the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]].{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} On April 28, head coach Sullivan and the Penguins agreed to mutual contract termination.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Crosby |first1=Wes |title=Sullivan out as Penguins coach after 10 seasons, no replacement named |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/mike-sullivan-out-as-pittsburgh-coach-agreed-to-part-ways-with-team |website=NHL.com |access-date=May 18, 2025 |date=April 28, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Chris |last2=Yohe |first2=Josh |title=Penguins, 10-year coach Mike Sullivan mutually agree to part ways: What's next? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6317549/2025/04/28/mike-sullivan-part-ways-penguins-nhl/ |website=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250428133640/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6317549/2025/04/28/mike-sullivan-part-ways-penguins-nhl/ |archive-date=April 28, 2025 |date=April 28, 2025}}</ref>