1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 1976–77 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their tenth in the National Hockey League. They finished third in the Norris Division for the third season in a row. In the playoffs, the Penguins were eliminated in the first round. Changes occurred in management and ownership. In December 1976, Baz Bastien replaced Wren Blair as the club's general manager. The club was sold to shopping mall magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. in February 1977.
Regular season
Despite the fact that Pierre Larouche, Jean Pronovost and Syl Apps were unable to reproduce their franchise record-setting offensive output of the previous season the team finished with a similar regular season record on the strength of improved defensive prowess and the goaltending of Dunc Wilson and Denis Herron, who was re-acquired from the Kansas City Scouts in the off-season.General Manager Wren Blair, who had been part of the ownership group which bought the club from the NHL in July 1975 until February 1976, was removed from his position December 3, 1976. Aldege 'Baz' Bastien, the man who had coached the American Hockey League's Pittsburgh Hornets to a Calder Cup championship in 1967, was named Blair's replacement.
Co-owners Al Savill and Otto Frenzel sold the club to shopping mall magnate Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. in February 1977, less than two years after having bought the team from the NHL.
Final standings
Schedule and results
Playoffs
The Penguins' opponent in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs was once again the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the Penguins' offensive output greatly improved to ten goals scored, the Maple Leafs once again dispatched the Penguins in three games.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
- Syl Apps, Jr. became the first player to record 300 assists for the Penguins. He did so in a 9–5 win over Vancouver on October 6th.
- Jean Pronovost became the first person to play 600 games for the Penguins. He did so in a 1–2 loss to Atlanta on October 15th.
- Jean Pronovost became the first player to score 500 points for the Penguins. He did so in a 3–6 loss to New York on December 11th.
Transactions
Trades
| August 11, 1976 | To Montreal Canadiens ---- 1978 3rd round pick future considerations | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Don Awrey |
| October 8, 1976 | To New York Rangers ---- 1978 4th round pick | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Dunc Wilson |
| October 18, 1976 | To Los Angeles Kings ---- 1977 5th round pick | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Mike Corrigan |
Additions and subtractions
†Colin Campbell was loaned to the Rockies for one season. He was returned to the Penguins in 1977.Roster
Draft picks
The 1976 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 1, 1976 in Montreal, Quebec.| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 1 | 2 | Blair Chapman | Right Wing | Canada | Saskatoon Blades |
| 2 | 19 | Greg Malone | Center | Canada | Oshawa Generals |
| 2 | 29 | Peter Marsh | Right Wing | Canada | Sherbrooke Beavers |
| 3 | 47 | Morris Lukowich | Left Wing | Canada | Medicine Hat Tigers |
| 4 | 65 | Greg Redquest | Goaltender | Canada | Oshawa Generals |
| 5 | 83 | Brendan Lowe | Defense | Canada | Sherbrooke Beavers |
| 6 | 101 | Vic Sirko | Defense | Canada | Oshawa Generals |