2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 2000–01 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 34th in the National Hockey League. The team played 82 games under new head coach Ivan Hlinka, who replaced Herb Brooks, who stepped down to remain a scout with the team.
Offseason
resigned as head coach at the end of the previous season, but remained with the team as a scout. Ivan Hlinka succeeded Brooks as head coach. Former Penguin Joe Mullen became an assistant coach along with his former teammate Randy Hillier.Regular season
The Penguins opened the regular season by splitting a two-game series against the Nashville Predators in Japan.On December 9, 2000, it was announced by owner Mario Lemieux that he intended to come back as a player. Lemieux returned to the ice on December 27, 2000. Prior to the game, his number 66 banner was lowered from the rafters of the Mellon Arena with son Austin watching. Lemieux scored a goal and set up two others in the Penguins' 5–0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to Lemieux's return, the Penguins were 15–14–6–1. After his comeback, the Penguins went 27–14–3–2 for a regular season record of 42–28–9–3 and a third-place finish in the Atlantic Division for a playoff spot. The Penguins were shut out only once all year, on October 28 against the New Jersey Devils. Only New Jersey scored more goals than Pittsburgh during the regular season. Jaromír Jágr had a stellar year, leading the team in goals, assists and points. Alexei Kovalev had a career year, finishing with 44 goals and 51 assists for 95 points. Martin Straka finished second on the team in assists and had 27 goals for 95 points, while Robert Lang had 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points. In just 43 games, Lemieux had 35 goals and 41 assists for 76 points.
Final standings
Schedule and results
Injuries
Playoffs
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
The Penguins opened the playoffs against the Washington Capitals. It was their sixth meeting in the playoffs. The Penguins were shut out in Game 1, 1–0. Lemieux scored a goal and had an assist in Game 2, which was won by the Penguins, 2–1. Newcomer Johan Hedberg shut out the Capitals in Game 3. The Capitals won Game 4 in overtime, 4-3. However, game-winning goals by Lemieux and Martin Straka in Game 5 and 6 won the series for the Penguins, 4–2.Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Penguins played the Buffalo Sabres in the conference semi-finals. The Penguins won Game 1 by the score of 3–0 and Game 2 by the score of 3–1. The Sabres won the next three games, pushing the Penguins to elimination. However, overtime-winning goals by Straka and Darius Kasparaitis in Game 6 and 7 won the series for the Penguins. Game 7 was Dominik Hasek's last game as a Sabre; he would sign with the Detroit Red Wings in the off-season.Eastern Conference Finals
The Penguins and the New Jersey Devils split the first two games of the series before the Devils took games three, four, and five to eliminate the Penguins.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
Milestones
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Roman Simicek | First NHL goal | October 14, 2000 |
| Milan Kraft | First NHL goal | October 14, 2000 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 400th career goal | November 13, 2000 |
| Darius Kasparaitis | 100th career point | November 25, 2000 |
| Toby Petersen | First NHL goal | December 10, 2000 |
| Jan Hrdina | 100th career point | December 16, 2000 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 1000th career point | December 30, 2000 |
| Mario Lemieux | 1500th career point | December 30, 2000 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 600th career assist | January 15, 2001 |
| Kevin Stevens | 700th career assist | January 19, 2001 |
| Martin Straka | 400th career assist | January 27, 2001 |
| Robert Lang | 100th career goal | January 30, 2001 |
| Billy Tibbetts | First NHL goal | February 16, 2001 |
| Alexei Kovalev | 200th career goal | February 19, 2001 |
| Johan Hedberg | First NHL win | March 16, 2001 |
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| Johan Hedberg | First playoff win | April 14, 2001 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 100th playoff assist | April 26, 2001 |
| Martin Straka | 50th playoff point | May 15, 2001 |
Making their NHL Regular Season debuts in 2000–01 were Roman Simicek, Toby Petersen, Billy Tibbetts, Greg Crozier, Milan Kraft and Johan Hedberg.
Awards
Broadcaster Mike Lange was also awarded the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2001, thus securing his induction into the broadcaster's wing of the Hockey Hall of Fame.Jaromir Jagr, Alexei Kovalev and Mario Lemieux were all selected to participate in the 2001 NHL All-Star Game. Lemieux captained the North American All-Stars and scored two points. Kovalev was a reserve for the World All-Stars and also scored two points. Jagr was voted as a starter for the World All-Stars, but could not play due to an injury.
Transactions
The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 2000–01 season:Trades
| November 14, 2000 | To New York Islanders ---- 2001 9th round pick | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Dan Trebil |
| December 28, 2000 | To St. Louis Blues ---- Dan Trebil | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Marc Bergevin |
| January 13, 2001 | To Minnesota Wild ---- Roman Simicek | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Steve McKenna |
| January 14, 2001 | To Philadelphia Flyers ---- John Slaney | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Kevin Stevens |
| January 14, 2001 | To Columbus Blue Jackets ---- 2001 3rd round pick | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Krzysztof Oliwa |
| January 14, 2001 | To Atlanta Thrashers ---- Jiri Slegr | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- 2001 3rd round pick |
| February 1, 2001 | To Tampa Bay Lightning ---- Matthew Barnaby | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Wayne Primeau |
| March 12, 2001 | To San Jose Sharks ---- Jeff Norton | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Bobby Dollas Johan Hedberg |
| March 13, 2001 | To Edmonton Oilers ---- Sven Butenschon | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Dan LaCouture |
| March 13, 2001 | To Columbus Blue Jackets ---- 2001 6th round pick | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Frantisek Kucera |
Free agents acquired
Free agents lost
Player signings
| Player | Date | Contract terms |
| Darcy Verot | July 28, 2000 | |
| Sven Butenschon | July 28, 2000 | |
| Janne Laukkanen | July 30, 2000 | |
| Matthew Barnaby | July 31, 2000 | 1-year/$1.1 million |
| Rene Corbet | July 31, 2000 | 1-year/$825,000 |
| Josef Beranek | August 3, 2000 | |
| Dennis Bonvie | August 10, 2000 | |
| Valentin Morozov | August 16, 2000 | |
| Jean-Sebastien Aubin | September 24, 2000 | |
| Jason MacDonald | September 29, 2000 | |
| Mario Lemieux | December 11, 2000 | 1-year, $1.4 million |
| Darcy Robinson | June 4, 2001 | |
| Kevin Stevens | June 11, 2001 |
Personnel
Draft picks
The Penguins selected the following players at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary:| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 1 | 18 | Brooks Orpik | Defense | United States | Boston College |
| 2 | 52 | Shane Endicott | Center | Canada | Seattle Thunderbirds |
| 3 | 84 | Peter Hamerlik | Goaltender | HK 36 Skalica | |
| 4 | 124 | Michel Ouellet | Right Wing | Canada | Rimouski Océanic |
| 5 | 146 | David Koci | Defense | Sparta Prague Jr. | |
| 6 | 185 | Patrick Foley | Left Wing | United States | University of New Hampshire |
| 7 | 216 | Jim Abbott | Left Wing | United States | University of New Hampshire |
| 8 | 248 | Steven Crampton | Right Wing | Canada | Moose Jaw Warriors |
| 9 | 273 | Roman Simicek | Center | HPK Hameenlinna | |
| 9 | 280 | Nick Boucher | Goaltender | Canada | Dartmouth College |
;Draft notes
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' fourth-round pick went to the Montreal Canadiens as the result of a June 24, 2000 trade that sent a 2000 fourth-round pick and a 2000 fifth-round pick to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
- The Montreal Canadiens' fourth-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a June 24, 2000 trade that sent a 2000 fourth-round pick to the Canadiens in exchange for a 2000 fifth-round pick and this pick.
- The Montreal Canadiens' fifth-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a June 24, 2000 trade that sent a 2000 fourth-round pick to the Canadiens in exchange for a 2000 fourth-round pick and this pick.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins' fifth-round pick went to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as the result of a March 14, 2000 trade that sent Dan Trebil to the Penguins in exchange for this pick.
- The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim's ninth-round pick went to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a result of a January 29, 2000 trade that sent Kip Miller to the Mighty Ducks in exchange for this pick.
Farm teams
The ECHL's Wheeling Nailers finished last overall with a record of 24-40-8.