2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins season
The 2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the 49th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 5, 1967. Their regular season games began on October 8, 2015 against the Dallas Stars. On December 12, the team had a record of 15–10–3. The organization then fired head coach Mike Johnston and replaced him with Mike Sullivan, head coach of the organization's American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre.
The Penguins qualified for the playoffs for the tenth consecutive season. They earned second place in the Metropolitan Division with 104 points. They began the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs on April 13 against the New York Rangers, the team they were eliminated by in the Stanley Cup playoffs both of the previous two seasons. They went on to beat the Rangers, in five games. In the second round the Pens defeated the Washington Capitals, the winners of the Presidents' Trophy, in six games. The team then played in their first Eastern Conference Final since 2013 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Pens defeated the Lightning in seven games, despite trailing the series 3–2 after Game 5, to earn the franchise's fifth berth in the Stanley Cup Final. In the Final, the Penguins defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games to win the franchise's fourth league title.
Pre-season
Game log
Statistics
FinalNote – Statistics compiled from Official Game/Event Summaries from NHL.com
Preseason statistics
| Player | ||||||
| 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | −1 | 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 | |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | −2 | 2 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −2 | 4 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | −8 | 2 | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | −1 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −3 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | −2 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −4 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | 2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 8 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −4 | 2 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −3 | 0 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −1 | 2 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Regular season
Game log
Season standings
Detailed records
FinalInjuries
Playoffs
The Penguins announced on April 11, 2016 that they will wear their Alternate jersey for all home games throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Game log
Injuries
Suspensions
Post-season
Injuries
Statistics
FinalSkaters
- Team Total includes Skater Statistics, Goaltender Statistics and Bench Minor Penalties.
Goaltenders
‡Denotes player was traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.
Notable achievements
Awards
| Player | Award | Awarded |
| NHL Third Star of the Week | January 4, 2016 | |
| NHL All-Star game selection | January 6, 2016 | |
| NHL All-Star game selection | January 6, 2016 | |
| NHL Third Star of the Month | February 1, 2016 | |
| NHL First Star of the Week | February 8, 2016 | |
| NHL First Star of the Week | March 21, 2016 | |
| NHL Third Star of the Week | March 28, 2016 | |
| NHL First Star of the Month | April 1, 2016 | |
| NHL Third Star of the Week | April 4, 2016 | |
| Conn Smythe Trophy | June 12, 2016 |
Team awards
Awarded week of March 27| Player | Award | Notes |
| Pascal Dupuis | Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee | The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association votes for the Penguins' Masterton nominee. Each NHL team selects a Masterton candidate from which the overall winner is chosen. The Masterton candidate is nominated as the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. Sponsor: Trib Total Media |
| Bryan Rust | Rookie of the Year Award | Presented in memory of former Penguins forward Michel Briere to the player who makes a substantial contribution during his rookie season. Sponsor: Highmark |
| Marc-Andre Fleury | Player's Player Award | The players hold a vote at the end of the season for the player they feel exemplifies leadership for the team, both on and off the ice, a player dedicated to teamwork. Sponsor: American Eagle Outfitters |
| Sidney Crosby | Edward J. DeBartolo Award | The award recognizes the player who has donated a tremendous amount of time and effort during the season working on community and charity projects. Sponsor: Verizon Wireless |
| Kris Letang | Defensive Player of the Year | This award honors the defensive skills of an individual player on the team. Sponsor: PNC Wealth Management |
| Sidney Crosby | Most Valuable Player | Based on the overall contribution the player makes to the team. Sponsor: CONSOL Energy |
Milestones
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| 1st Career NHL Game | October 8, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | October 8, 2015 | |
| 500th Career NHL Game | October 8, 2015 | |
| 100th Career NHL Game | October 10, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Point | October 15, 2015 | |
| 600th Career NHL Game | October 17, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | October 17, 2015 | |
| 500th Career NHL Game | October 28, 2015 | |
| 100th Career NHL Game | October 28, 2015 | |
| 40th Career NHL Shutout | October 31, 2015 | |
| 600th Career NHL Game | November 6, 2015 | |
| 200th Career NHL Game | November 6, 2015 | |
| 300th Career NHL Point | November 7, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | December 16, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Goal 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | December 18, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | December 19, 2015 | |
| 700th Career NHL Game | December 19, 2015 | |
| 300th Career NHL Game | December 19, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | December 21, 2015 | |
| 1st Career NHL Win | December 21, 2015 | |
| 300th Career NHL Point | December 26, 2015 | |
| 300th Career NHL Game | January 2, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | January 9, 2016 | |
| 800th Career NHL Game | January 17, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | January 23, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | February 5, 2016 | |
| 300th Career NHL Assist | February 5, 2016 | |
| 900th Career NHL Point | February 6, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Goal | February 18, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Goal | February 20, 2016 | |
| 300th Career NHL Point | February 21, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | February 24, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Hat Trick | February 29, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game | March 5, 2016 | |
| 350th Career NHL Win | March 11, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Game 1st Career NHL Assist 1st Career NHL Point | March 13, 2016 | |
| 800th Career NHL Game | March 15, 2016 | |
| 500th Career NHL Game | March 24, 2016 | |
| 500th Career NHL Game | March 24, 2016 | |
| 700th Career NHL Game | March 26, 2016 | |
| 300th Career NHL Assist | March 26, 2016 | |
| 600th Career NHL Assist | April 2, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Goal | April 2, 2016 | |
| 1st Career NHL Shutout | April 2, 2016 |
| Player | Milestone | Reached |
| 1st Career Playoff Game 1st Career Playoff Assist 1st Career Playoff Point | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game 1st Career Playoff Win | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game 1st Career Playoff Goal 1st Career Playoff Point | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Hat Trick | April 13, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game | April 16, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game 1st Career Playoff Win | April 19, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Assist | April 19, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Goal | April 21, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Shutout | April 21, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Goal 1st Career Playoff Assist 1st Career Playoff Point | April 23, 2016 | |
| 100th Career Playoff Game | April 30, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Game | May 2, 2016 | |
| J. Schultz | 1st Career Playoff Assist 1st Career Playoff Point | May 18, 2016 |
| 100th Career Playoff Game | May 22, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Goal | May 22, 2016 | |
| 1st Career Playoff Goal | June 6, 2016 |
Roster
FinalTransactions
The Penguins have been involved in the following transactions during the 2015–16 season:Trades
| To Toronto Maple Leafs ---- Nick Spaling Kasperi Kapanen Scott Harrington Conditional 1st round pick in 2016 or 1st round pick in 2017 or 2nd round pick in 2017 3rd round pick in 2016 | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Phil Kessel Tim Erixon Tyler Biggs Conditional PIT's 2nd round pick in 2016 or TOR's 2nd round pick in 2017 | |
| To Vancouver Canucks ---- Brandon Sutter BUF's 3rd round pick in 2016 | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Nick Bonino Adam Clendening ANA's 2nd round pick in 2016 | |
| To Chicago Blackhawks ---- Rob Scuderi | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Trevor Daley | |
| To Anaheim Ducks ---- David Perron Adam Clendening | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Carl Hagelin | |
| To Edmonton Oilers ---- 3rd round pick in 2016 | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Justin Schultz | |
| To Arizona Coyotes ---- Sergei Plotnikov | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Matthias Plachta conditional 7th round pick in 2017 | |
| To Arizona Coyotes ---- Matia Marcantuoni | To Pittsburgh Penguins ---- Dustin Jeffrey Dan O'Donoghue James Melindy |
;Notes
- Toronto to retain 15% of salary as part of trade.
- Pittsburgh to retain 33% of salary as part of trade.
- Edmonton to retain 50% of salary as part of trade.
Free agents
Waivers
Signings
Other
| Name | Date | Details |
| Tom Sestito | September 30, 2015 | Released |
| Sergei Gonchar | October 3, 2015 | Released |
| Sergei Gonchar | October 27, 2015 | Named as Defensemen Development Coach |
| Pascal Dupuis | December 8, 2015 | Unofficial Retirement |
| Mike Johnston | December 12, 2015 | Relieved as Head Coach |
| Gary Agnew | December 12, 2015 | Relieved as Assistant Coach |
| Mike Sullivan | December 12, 2015 | Named as Head Coach |
| Craig Adams | January 26, 2016 | Retirement |
;Notes
- – Two-way contract
- – Entry-level contract
Draft picks
| Round | # | Player | Pos | Nationality | College/Junior/Club Team |
| 2 | 46 | Daniel Sprong | RW | Charlottetown Islanders | |
| 5 | 137 | Dominik Simon | C | HC Plzen | |
| 6 | 167 | Frederik Tiffels | LW | Western Michigan University | |
| 7 | 197 | Nikita Pavlychev | C | Des Moines Buccaneers |
;Draft notes
- The Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick went to the Edmonton Oilers as a result of a trade on January 2, 2015 that sent David Perron to the Penguins in exchange for Rob Klinkhammer and this pick.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins third-round pick went to the Florida Panthers as a result of a trade on March 5, 2014 that sent Marcel Goc to the Penguins in exchange for a 2014 fifth-round pick and this pick.
- The Pittsburgh Penguins fourth-round pick went to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a result of a trade on February 25, 2015 that sent Daniel Winnik to the Penguins in exchange for Zach Sill, a 2016 second-round pick, and this pick.