1989–90 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1989–90 Pittsburgh Penguins season saw the Penguins finish fifth in the Patrick Division and not qualify for the playoffs.
Regular season
The Penguins allowed the most short-handed goals during the regular season, with 21.All-Star Game
The 41st National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, on January 21, 1990. The game saw the team of all-stars from the Wales conference defeat the Campbell conference all-stars 12–7. Mario Lemieux was named the game's Most Valuable Player.Season standings
Schedule and results
Playoffs
The Penguins missed the playoffs, despite qualifying the previous year.Player statistics
;Skaters;Goaltenders
†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.
Roster
Awards and records
- Mario Lemieux, All-Star Game MVP
- Mario Lemieux became the first person to score 800 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 4–3 win over Vancouver on January 4.
- Mario Lemieux established a new franchise record for goals. He broke the previous records of 316 held by Jean Pronovost.
- Paul Coffey established a franchise record for goals by a defenseman. He broke the previous records of 66 held by both Ron Stackhouse and Randy Carlyle.
- Rod Buskas set a franchise record for penalty minutes. He had led the category since the previous season.
Transactions
Trades
| September 14, 1989 | To New York Rangers ---- Lee Giffin | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- future considerations |
| October 24, 1989 | To Vancouver Canucks ---- Rod Buskas | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- 1990 6th round pick |
| January 8, 1990 | To Vancouver Canucks ---- Dave Capuano Andrew McBain Dan Quinn | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Rod Buskas Barry Pederson Tony Tanti |
| February 26, 1990 | To Vancouver Canucks ---- cash | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Doug Smith |
| March 6, 1990 | To Edmonton Oilers ---- future considerations | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Brian Wilks |
| March 6, 1990 | To Chicago Blackhawks ---- future considerations | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Alain Chevrier |
Free agents
Signings
Other
| Name | Date | Details |
| John Welday | July 29, 1989 | Hired as strength and conditioning coach |
| Gene Ubriaco | December 5, 1989 | Fired as head coach |
| Tony Esposito | December 5, 1989 | Fired as GM |
| Craig Patrick | December 5, 1989 | Hired as head coach/GM |
| Gilles Meloche | January 24, 1990 | Hired as goaltending coach |
| Craig Patrick | June 12, 1990 | Replaced as head coach |
| Bob Johnson | June 12, 1990 | Hired as head coach |
| Scotty Bowman | June 12, 1990 | Hired as Director of development and recruitment |
| Joe Dragon | June 15, 1990 | Supplemental draft pick |
| Savo Mitrovic | June 15, 1990 | Supplemental draft pick |
Draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 1 | 16 | Jamie Heward | D | Canada | Regina Pats |
| 2 | 37 | Paul Laus | D | Canada | Niagara Falls Thunder |
| 3 | 58 | John Brill | R | United States | Grand Rapids H.S. |
| 4 | 79 | Todd Nelson | D | Canada | Prince Albert Raiders |
| 5 | 100 | Tom Nevers | C | United States | Edina H.S. |
| 6 | 121 | Michael Markovich | D | United States | U. of Denver |
| 6 | 126 | Michael Needham | R | Canada | Kamloops Blazers |
| 7 | 142 | Patrick Schafhauser | D | United States | Hill-Murray H.S. |
| 8 | 163 | David Shute | C | United States | Victoria Cougars |
| 9 | 184 | Andrew Wolf | D | Canada | Victoria Cougars |
| 10 | 205 | Greg Hagen | R | United States | Hill-Murray H.S. |
| 11 | 226 | Scott Farrell | D | Canada | Spokane Chiefs |
| 12 | 247 | Jason Smart | C | Canada | Saskatoon Blades |
| S | 21 | John DePourcq | C | Canada | Ferris State University |
;Draft notes
- The Calgary Flames' sixth-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a January 9, 1989, trade that sent Steve Guenette to the Flames in exchange for this pick.