2006–07 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The Pittsburgh Penguins 2006–07 season was rife with potential, as the team featured one of the largest groups of young stars in the National Hockey League (NHL). Evgeni Malkin, the second overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, came to the United States from Russia prior to the season and joined the team. He promptly became the first NHL rookie since 1917 to score goals in each of his first six games. Malkin and second-year phenom Sidney Crosby were joined by 18-year-old Jordan Staal, who made the jump directly from the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to the Penguins roster after being drafted second overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The Penguins also brought back Mark Recchi via free agency, giving Recchi his third stint with the team. It would also be the first season the team would have involving defenceman and soon-to-be alternate captain Kris Letang.
2006–07 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
---|---|
Division | 2nd Atlantic |
Conference | 5th Eastern |
2006–07 record | 47–24–11 |
Home record | 26–10–5 |
Road record | 21–14–6 |
Goals for | 277 |
Goals against | 246 |
Team information | |
General manager | Ray Shero |
Coach | Michel Therrien |
Captain | Vacant |
Alternate captains | Sidney Crosby Sergei Gonchar John LeClair (Oct.–Dec.) Mark Recchi |
Arena | Mellon Arena |
Team leaders | |
Goals | Sidney Crosby (36) |
Assists | Sidney Crosby (84) |
Points | Sidney Crosby (120) |
Penalty minutes | Jarkko Ruutu (125) |
Plus/minus | Jordan Staal (+6) |
Wins | Marc-Andre Fleury (40) |
Goals against average | Jocelyn Thibault (2.83) Marc-Andre Fleury |
The season was clouded with uncertainty, however, about the Penguins' future in Pittsburgh. After Jim Balsillie had agreed to purchase the franchise for $175 million and to keep it in Pittsburgh, the situation seemed settled. Balsillie's deal fell through, however, in December. Isle of Capri Casinos was next to make a bid to keep the team in Pittsburgh, but their deal was nixed as well. On January 3, 2007, Penguins officials, including Mario Lemieux and other members of the team's ownership group, visited Kansas City, Missouri, to discuss potentials of relocating the team there. Other cities which reportedly have expressed interest in the franchise include Houston, Winnipeg, Portland and Oklahoma City.[1]
On March 14, 2007, in a joint announcement by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and Mario Lemieux, it was made public that an agreement had been reached between the parties. A new state-of-the-art multi-purpose arena (the Consol Energy Center) will be built. This agreement will keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh for another 30 years. Following the announcement of this plan, the Lemieux ownership group announced that they no longer have plans to sell the team.
On January 9, 2007, the NHL announced that Sidney Crosby had been voted by the fans to start at forward in the 2007 All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas.[2] Malkin, Staal and defenseman Ryan Whitney were all invited to All-Star Weekend to play in the YoungStars game.[3]
The rebuilding of the team that came with acquiring Sidney Crosby would come to fruition in his second year. This season began a playoff streak for the Penguins that would not be snapped until the 2023 season.
Regular season
The Penguins finished the regular season having scored 94 power-play goals, the most in the NHL. They also had the most power-play opportunities, with 463.[4]
Season standings
No. | CR | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | New Jersey Devils | 82 | 49 | 24 | 9 | 216 | 201 | 107 |
2 | 5 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 82 | 47 | 24 | 11 | 277 | 246 | 105 |
3 | 6 | New York Rangers | 82 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 242 | 216 | 94 |
4 | 8 | New York Islanders | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 248 | 240 | 92 |
5 | 15 | Philadelphia Flyers | 82 | 22 | 48 | 12 | 214 | 303 | 56 |
Note: No. = Division rank, CR = Conference rank, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points
Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.
R | Div | GP | W | L | OTL | GF | GA | Pts | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | P - Buffalo Sabres | NE | 82 | 53 | 22 | 7 | 308 | 242 | 113 |
2 | Y - New Jersey Devils | AT | 82 | 49 | 24 | 9 | 216 | 201 | 107 |
3 | Y - Atlanta Thrashers | SE | 82 | 43 | 28 | 11 | 246 | 245 | 97 |
4 | X - Ottawa Senators | NE | 82 | 48 | 25 | 9 | 288 | 222 | 105 |
5 | X - Pittsburgh Penguins | AT | 82 | 47 | 24 | 11 | 277 | 246 | 105 |
6 | X - New York Rangers | AT | 82 | 42 | 30 | 10 | 242 | 216 | 94 |
7 | X - Tampa Bay Lightning | SE | 82 | 44 | 33 | 5 | 253 | 261 | 93 |
8 | X - New York Islanders | AT | 82 | 40 | 30 | 12 | 248 | 240 | 92 |
8.5 | |||||||||
9 | Toronto Maple Leafs | NE | 82 | 40 | 31 | 11 | 258 | 269 | 91 |
10 | Montreal Canadiens | NE | 82 | 42 | 34 | 6 | 245 | 256 | 90 |
11 | Carolina Hurricanes | SE | 82 | 40 | 34 | 8 | 241 | 253 | 88 |
12 | Florida Panthers | SE | 82 | 35 | 31 | 16 | 247 | 257 | 86 |
13 | Boston Bruins | NE | 82 | 35 | 41 | 6 | 219 | 289 | 76 |
14 | Washington Capitals | SE | 82 | 28 | 40 | 14 | 235 | 286 | 70 |
15 | Philadelphia Flyers | AT | 82 | 22 | 48 | 12 | 214 | 303 | 56 |
Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast |
P – Clinched Presidents Trophy; Y – Clinched Division; X – Clinched Playoff spot
Schedule and results
2006–2007 Schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October: 6–3–0 (Home: 3–3–0 ; Road: 3–0–0), 12 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
November: 5–5–4 (Home: 3–1–3 ; Road: 2–4–1), 14 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December: 5–7–2 (Home: 3–4–0 ; Road: 2–3–2), 12 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January: 8–2–2 (Home: 4–0–1 ; Road: 4–2–1), 18 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
February: 9–3–1 (Home: 5–1–0 ; Road: 4–2–1), 19 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March: 12–3–2 (Home: 7–0–1 ; Road: 5–3–1), 26 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
April: 2–1–0 (Home: 1–1–0 ; Road: 1–0–0), 4 Points
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legend: = Win = Loss = OT/SO Loss |
Playoffs
The Pittsburgh Penguins ended the 2006–07 regular season as the Eastern Conference's fifth seed. They lost to the Ottawa Senators in five games, in the conference quarter-finals. They would sweep the Senators in the playoffs the following season.
- Green background indicates win.
- Red indicates loss.
2007 Stanley Cup playoffs |
---|
Eastern Conference Quarter-finals vs #4 Ottawa: 1–4 (Home: 0–2 ; Road: 1–2) |
Player statistics
- Skaters
- Goaltenders
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marc-Andre Fleury | 67 | 65 | 3905:28 | 40 | 16 | 9 | 184 | 2.83 | 1954 | 0.906 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
Jocelyn Thibault | 22 | 17 | 1101:15 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 52 | 2.83 | 572 | 0.909 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 82 | 5006:43 | 47 | 24 | 11 | 236 | 2.83 | 2526 | 0.907 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
Player | GP | GS | TOI | W | L | OT | GA | GAA | SA | SV% | SO | G | A | PIM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Marc-Andre Fleury | 5 | 5 | 286:42 | 1 | 4 | -- | 18 | 3.77 | 150 | 0.880 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Jocelyn Thibault | 1 | 0 | 08:02 | 0 | 0 | -- | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 5 | 294:44 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 18 | 3.67 | 151 | 0.881 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
†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.
Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 2006–07 season:[11]
Trades
July 19, 2006 | To Nashville Predators
2007 3rd round pick |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
Libor Pivko |
July 20, 2006 | To San Jose Sharks
2007 2nd round pick |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
|
December 19, 2006 | To Boston Bruins
Future considerations |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
|
February 27, 2007 | To Florida Panthers
Noah Welch |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
|
February 27, 2007 | To Phoenix Coyotes
Daniel Carcillo |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
|
February 27, 2007 | To San Jose Sharks
2007 7th round pick |
To Pittsburgh Penguins
|
February 27, 2007 | To Minnesota Wild
|
To Pittsburgh Penguins
2007 3rd round pick |
Free agents acquired
|
Free agents lost
|
Claimed via waivers
|
Lost via waivers
|
Player signings
Player | Date | Contract terms |
---|---|---|
Colby Armstrong[23] | July 21, 2006 | 1-year contract |
Brooks Orpik[24] | July 23, 2006 | 2-year contract |
Ryan Malone[25] | July 28, 2006 | 2-year/$2.75M contract |
Dominic Moore[26] | August 1, 2006 | 2-year contract |
Alain Nasreddine[27] | August 2, 2006 | 1-year contract |
Libor Pivko[28] | August 2, 2006 | 1-year contract |
Marc-Andre Fleury[29] | August 5, 2006 | 2-year contract |
Evgeni Malkin[30] | September 5, 2006 | 3-year contract |
Jordan Staal[31] | October 2, 2006 | 3-year entry level contract |
Kris Letang[31] | October 2, 2006 | 3-year entry level contract |
Mark Letestu | March 22, 2007 | 2-year contract |
Aaron Boogaard[32] | April 23, 2007 | 3-year contract entry level contract |
Jonathan D'Aversa | May 25, 2007 | 3-year contract |
Tim Wallace | May 29, 2007 | 2-year contract |
Connor James | June 19, 2007 | 1-year contract |
Other
Player | Date | Details |
---|---|---|
Andre Savard[33] | July 3, 2006 | Hired as assistant coach |
Chuck Fletcher | July 14, 2006 | Hired as assistant GM |
Eddie Johnston | July 14, 2006 | Hired as senior adviser of hockey operations |
Gilles Meloche[34] | July 26, 2006 | Hired as goaltending coach |
Bill O'Flaherty[35] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as pro scout |
Chris Stewart[36] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as athletic trainer |
Dan MacKinnon[35] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as pro scout |
Jay Heinbuck[35] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as director of amateur scouting |
Jim Madigan[35] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as amateur scout |
Patrik Allvin[35] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as European scout |
Scott Adams[36] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as assistant athletic trainer |
Travis Ramsay[36] | August 24, 2006 | Hired as video coordinator |
Gabriel Bouthillette[37] | September 12, 2006 | Released |
Jeff Kryzakos[37] | September 12, 2006 | Released |
Jim Balsillie[38] | October 5, 2006 | Signed a purchase agreement to buy the team |
John LeClair[39] | November 30, 2006 | Waived |
John LeClair[40] | December 14, 2006 | Released |
David Morehouse | April 4, 2007 | Hired as president |
Ron Porter | June 4, 2007 | Hired as senior consultant |
Draft picks
Pittsburgh's picks at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft in Vancouver.[41] The Penguins had the second overall draft pick, making the fourth consecutive draft the team had a pick in the top two: they had the first overall pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft (Marc-Andre Fleury), the second overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (Evgeni Malkin) and the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft (Sidney Crosby).
Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | Jordan Staal | Center | Canada | Peterborough Petes (OHL) |
2 | 32 | Carl Sneep | Defence | United States | Brainerd High School (USHS-MN) |
3 | 65 | Brian Strait | Defence | United States | U.S. National Team Development Program (NAHL) |
5 | 125 | Chad Johnson | Goaltender | Canada | University of Alaska Fairbanks (WCHA) |
7 | 185 | Timo Seppanen | Defence | Finland | HIFK (SM-liiga) |
- Draft notes[42]
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' fourth-round pick went to the Chicago Blackhawks as the result of an August 10, 2005 trade that sent Jocelyn Thibault to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.[43]
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' sixth-round pick went to the Florida Panthers as the result of a January 18, 2006 trade that sent Eric Cairns to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.[44]
Farm teams
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are Pittsburgh's top affiliate in the AHL for the 2006–07 season.
Wheeling Nailers
The Wheeling Nailers are Pittsburgh's ECHL affiliate for the 2006–07 season.
External links
See also
References
- Game log: Pittsburgh Penguins game log on espn.com
- Team standings: NHL standings on espn.com
- "FOX Sports - NHL - Lemieux, Pens owners meet with KC officials". Archived from the original on January 5, 2007. Retrieved January 4, 2007.
- TSN : NHL - Canada's Sports Leader
- NHL.com - 2007 All-Star Game Coverage
- "2006-07 NHL Summary".
- Standings: NHL Public Relations Department (2008). Dave McCarthy; et al. (eds.). THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE Official Guide & Record Book/2009. National Hockey League. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-894801-14-0.
- "2006–2007 Standings by Conference". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- "2006–2007 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "2006–2007 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – All Skaters – Summary – Points – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "2006–2007 – Regular Season – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "2006–2007 – Playoffs – Pittsburgh Penguins – Goalie – Summary – Wins – NHL.com – Stats". NHL.
- "Hockey Transactions Search Results". ProSportsTransactions. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "Free-agent defenseman Eaton signs with Penguins". ESPN. Associated Press. July 3, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN FORWARD JARKKO RUUTU". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 4, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2006.
- "PENGUINS SIGN DEFENSEMAN WADE SKOLNEY". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 21, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN DEFENSEMAN MATT CARKNER". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 23, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN RONALD PETROVICKY". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 24, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Recchi returns to Pens after brief stint with Canes". ESPN. Associated Press. July 25, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN RIGHT WINGER CONNOR JAMES". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 9, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN GOALTENDER ANDREW PENNER". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 18, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS CLAIM KARL STEWART OFF WAIVERS FROM DUCKS". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 27, 2006. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS CLAIM CHRIS THORBURN OFF WAIVERS FROM BUFFALO". Pittsburgh Penguins. October 3, 2006. Archived from the original on November 3, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Canucks claim goaltending prospect Sabourin". ESPN. Associated Press. October 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS RE-SIGN ARMSTRONG TO ONE-YEAR DEAL". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 21, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Pens re-sign defenseman Orpik to two-year deal". ESPN. SportsTicker. July 23, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "Penguins' Malone awarded two-year, $2.75 million deal". ESPN. Associated Press. July 26, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN DOMINIC MOORE TO TWO-YEAR DEAL". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 1, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS RE-SIGN NASREDDINE TO ONE-YEAR DEAL". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS, PIVKO AGREE TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 2, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Penguins sign goalie Fleury to two-year contract". ESPN. Associated Press. August 5, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "It's official: Penguins sign Russian star Malkin". ESPN. Associated Press. September 7, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "Teenagers Staal, Letang make Penguins' opening roster". ESPN. SportsTicker. October 2, 2006. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- "PENGUINS SIGN AARON BOOGAARD TO ENTRY LEVEL CONTRACT". Pittsburgh Penguins. April 23, 2007. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS NAME ANDRE SAVARD ASSISTANT COACH". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 3, 2006. Archived from the original on September 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS NAME GILLES MELOCHE AS GOALTENDING COACH". Pittsburgh Penguins. July 27, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS NAME JAY HEINBUCK DIRECTOR OF AMATEUR SCOUTING". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 24, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS ANNOUNCE HIRINGS IN HOCKEY DEPARTMENT". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 24, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "PENGUINS TRIM CAMP ROSTER BY SIX PLAYERS". Pittsburgh Penguins. September 12, 2006. Archived from the original on November 4, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Canadian businessman agrees to buy Penguins". ESPN. Associated Press. October 5, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "LeClair in final year of contract with Pens". ESPN. SportsTicker. November 30, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "Penguins, LeClair agree to mutual release". ESPN. Associated Press. December 14, 2006. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
- "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". NHL. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
- "2006 NHL Entry Draft Pending Transactions". Pro Sports Transactions. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
- "PENGUINS ACQUIRE GOALTENDER JOCELYN THIBAULT FROM CHICAGO FOR A FOURTH ROUND CHOICE IN 2006 DRAFT - Pittsburgh Penguins". Pittsburgh Penguins. August 10, 2005. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
- "PENGUINS ACQUIRE DEFENSEMAN ERIC CAIRNS FOR DRAFT PICK – Pittsburgh Penguins". Pittsburgh Penguins. January 18, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2013.