1999–2000 Pittsburgh Penguins season


The 1999–2000 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 33rd in the National Hockey League. It was the first season under ownership led by former superstar Mario Lemieux.

Off-season

In June 1999, a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge granted former player Mario Lemieux ownership of the Penguins franchise, who were in danger of either relocating to Portland, Oregon, or folding. Lemieux received final approval of team ownership by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on September 3, 1999.

Regular season

On April 7, 2000, Jaromír Jágr scored just 13 seconds into the overtime period to give the Penguins a 2–1 road win over the Buffalo Sabres. It would prove to be the fastest overtime goal scored during the 1999–2000 regular season.

Final standings

Schedule and results

Playoffs

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.

Awards and records

Awards

In addition, Owner Mario Lemieux and General Manager Craig Patrick were recipients of the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.

Transactions

The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 1999–2000 season:

Trades

September 30, 1999To New York Rangers
----
Kevin Hatcher
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Peter Popovic
January 29, 2000To Anaheim Ducks
----
Kip Miller
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
2000 9th round pick
March 13, 2000To Nashville Predators
----
Pavel Skrbek
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Bob Boughner
March 14, 2000To Edmonton Oilers
----
German Titov
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Josef Beranek
March 14, 2000To Anaheim Ducks
----
2000 5th round pick
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Dan Trebil
March 14, 2000To Calgary Flames
----
Brad Werenka
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Rene Corbet
Tyler Moss
March 14, 2000To Ottawa Senators
----
Tom Barrasso
To Pittsburgh Penguins
----
Janne Laukkanen
Ron Tugnutt

Free agents acquired

Free agents lost

Claimed via waivers

Expansion Draft

Player signings

PlayerDate
Jiri SlegrAugust 2, 1999
Alexei KovalevAugust 10, 1999
Robert LangAugust 10, 1999
Ian MoranAugust 12, 1999
Matthew BarnabyAugust 12, 1999
Martin StrakaAugust 13, 1999
Tyler WrightSeptember 3, 1999
Jan HrdinaSeptember 6, 1999
Darius KasparaitisSeptember 29, 1999
John SlaneySeptember 30, 1999
Milan KraftOctober 8, 1999
Tom KostopoulosOctober 8, 1999

Other

NameDateNotes
Ken SawyerSeptember 7, 1999Hired as CFO
Tom RooneySeptember 7, 1999Hired as COO
Kevin ConstantineDecember 9, 1999Fired as head coach
Eddie JohnstonDecember 9, 1999Hired as assistant coach
Herb BrooksDecember 9, 1999Hired as head coach
Rick KehoeDecember 9, 1999Hired as assistant coach
Ivan HlinkaFebruary 7, 2000Hired as assistant coach
Herb BrooksMay 9, 2000Replaced as head coach
Ivan HlinkaJune 21, 2000Promoted to head coach
Joe MullenJune 21, 2000Hired as assistant coach
Rick KehoeJune 21, 2000Re-signed as assistant coach

Roster

Draft picks

Pittsburgh Penguins' picks at the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Round#PlayerPosNationalityCollege/Junior/Club Team
118Konstantin KoltsovLeft WingSeverstal Cherepovets
251Matt MurleyLeft WingRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
257Jeremy Van HoofDefenseOttawa 67's
386Sebastien CaronGoaltenderRimouski Oceanic
4115Ryan MaloneLeft WingOmaha Lancers
5144Tomas SkvaridloCenterHKm Zvolen Jr.
5157Vladimir MalenkykhDefenseLada Togliatti
6176Doug MeyerDefenseUniversity of Minnesota
7204Tom KostopoulosRight WingLondon Knights
8233Darcy RobinsonDefenseSaskatoon Blades
9261Andrew McPhersonLeft WingRensselaer Polytechnic Institute

;Draft notes
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, previously known as the Cornwall Aces, debuted in the AHL as the top minor league affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Playing in the Empire State Division, they finished last overall in the Western Conference with a record of 23-43-9-5. WBRE, the NBC station in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, received a James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding television coverage. Marketing executives Brian Magness and Rich Hixon won the Ken McKenzie Award as the league's outstanding marketing executives.
The Wheeling Nailers of the East Coast Hockey League finished the season in fifth place in the Northwest Division with a record of 25-40-5.