That Time the Penguins Tanked to Draft Mario Lemieux

[@BvG_Venom]

This has to be the most successful tank in league history. Buffalo tried really hard for McDavid but you can't out-tank the draft lottery

[@perspectiveanime1851]

@@2Jim2u what?

[@youngandfree93]

It is sad Edmonton got him though after all the 1st round pics they got. McDavid shouldnt be in Edmonton at all.

[@JbmcRanger96]

walking-atm Yep and they had 4 #1 overall picks and 2 currently play on the team still and one is in Russia

[@dirtydangler]

​@@perspectiveanime1851 your reading comprehension isn't on par to the avg folk i see

[@perspectiveanime1851]

@@dirtydangler well bud, if the avg folk can comprehend the link between the comment and his responses i guess i am below average

[@Detector1977]

Well, Mario saved the team twice...

[@ScarecrOmega]

You should do a video of "That Time Eric Lindros turned the Nordiques franchise from worst to 1st"

[@cloudsopowera6248]

players who wanted out of Colorado/Quebec ended giving their blessings before leaving (Eric Lindros and Matt Duchene) *- Moral of the Story: Don't mess with Joe Sakic.* (He was there during the Lindros era)

[@gregarious1]

You mean "That time the NHL screwed over the expansion San Jose Sharks in the 1991 Draft and gave them the #2 pick all because they didn't want Lindros going to a west coast team"....

[@comradebroflake1631]

@@gregarious1 Did that actually happen ? thats so stupid. couldve grown the game at a much higher rate. Thank god for Bettman

[@gregarious1]

@@comradebroflake1631 Yes, that did in fact happen. Could have been a great hockey ambassador for the Bay Area the way Gretzky became an ambassador/leader for LA.

[@comradebroflake1631]

@K A you might have a point but the league couldve also went under if they continued getting hammered with lawsuits and depending too much on the canadian dollar

[@konwinskifilms]

Those first few goalies still had more wins than Howard this year 😔

[@ricktacular6316]

That's sad and true at the same time.

[@PrinceTyke]

Which is interesting, considering we as a team have one more point than this Penguins team did lol. Poor Bernier played his heart out.

[@doaftheloaf]

on a worse team, and i bet it took fewer games to get to 3.

[@iml1945]

You nail it when you said Pittsburgh tanked. I was an original Devils Season Ticket Holder. Devils’ Coach Tom McVie was fighting for his job and Pittsburgh was tanking!! What was so criminal was the drop off between Lemieux and Kirk Mueller. Not even close. I guess NJ has done fairly well in recent years with the Lottery. But, Lemieux was a generational star.

[@patrykkuffel2679]

Ok he's fighting for his job but he lost the opportunity to get one of the best players to ever live. I get that tanking is looked down upon but Pittsburgh did what was necessary to keep their franchise. New Jersey should have considered trying to tank as well. Anyways both teams had success 10 years later

[@harryf.sandersjr.9026]

The Penguins traded Randy Carlyle to Winnipeg for a 1st round pick in 1984 (Doug Bodger) and future considerations, which turned out to be Moe Mantha. Mantha was sent to the Penguins on May 1, 1984, after the season. It turned out to be a decent trade for both teams. Carlyle had a number of good years in Winnipeg, while Mantha and Bodger performed well in Pittsburgh before being traded, Bodger to Buffalo for Tom Barrasso and Mantha as part of the package that was sent to Edmonton for Paul Coffey.

[@Jason_Maier]

Have you watched the 2014 TSN Documentary (Playing to Lose) on this tank? Lou Angotti here (his exact quote was "We were coaching not to win. I'll never deny that") and in other interviews has admitted to tanking while Eddie Johnston has always has danced around the truth. And it's funny that Baltimore was once a farm team for Pittsburgh!

[@OttawaNow]

Should Eddie Johnston be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame?

[@mactheknife7049]

As a teenager in Pittsburgh during October 1983, I can vouch for the fact that (a) it was a pretty easy ticket to get, (b) it wasn't a terribly expensive ticket to buy, and (c) yep, you generally went there to watch them get killed. On the nose, Shannon!

[@JWOY-h5h]

Can’t imagine the pens not getting 66 growing up outside Pittsburgh in 85 all i did was watch the pens and play hockey he was the reason hockey took off around the this area life would have been a lot diff for sure

[@ronfroehlich4697]

Playing to Lose is a great short documentary about this season.

[@hellooodad2284]

Lol

[@jeffgray1884]

I'm glad you posted this. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I actually thought they should broadcast a PIT-NJD game from that season. It'd be fascinating. I remember arguing in the '90s that the NHL should devise a system where if a team is realistically eliminated from playoff contention and wins a game ... they ought to get an extra lottery ball. It would increase fan interest so much! Bad teams' fans would still turn out in hopes that a late season win could turn into the #1 pick! My idea got laughed at. I was told NHL fans aren't interested enough in math or stats to create such a system. 25 years later, I still think it's a good concept.

[@17Helton]

It's not a terrible idea. I would have kept my laughter to how obvious it was what the desperate Pens were doing. It's actually disturbing to see a professional team intentionally lose. It's a form of cheating because they did it to benefit the organization. I like to have bonus clauses in individual contracts because they serve as a consolation prize if you aren't winning. It can still drive you to play hard as much as possible. The down side to these incentives is the team sometimes won't give you an opportunity because they know what's at stake down the stretch and might hold back on ice time or scratch you altogether.

[@jackcarvis3668]

Somehow every time they threaten to move the franchise , they get the #1 pick

[@endersdragon34]

Well how would they not have gotten it this year? Worst is worst

[@endersdragon34]

Also... Why would the league want to help Pittsburgh out? It's a tiny market (much smaller than say Seattle or Houston), it's a poor market, and it's in an area with a lot of other sports teams, so I don't think the NHL wants to support Pittsburgh that much.

[@nathanmcdonald8891]

Bryan G of course the NHL wants to support Pittsburgh, that’s a stupid question.It might be a small market but it’s still drawing more fans then the yotes. The NHL wants every franchise to succeed why do you think they implemented shared revenue at 6% and the penguins also pulled in 35 million which is more then 21 other teams in 2019. Ducks islander preds jackets yotes and the panthers were all working at a loss over 3.1 million that year

[@jbrandan5605]

Bryan G : FIVE STANLEY CUPS DUDE! GO PENS!!

[@endersdragon34]

@@nathanmcdonald8891 what I mean is why try to cheat for them when they are failing as opposed to a bigger market team (like the aforementioned Yotes) as the original post seemed to imply (and I hear conspiracy theories about all the time)

[@TinnieTa21]

Has Pixel taken over the cat tower? lol. I miss Bear and her cute judgemental stare into my soul.

[@ScarecrOmega]

IKR, we see a lot more Pixel and not much Bear anymore. Pixel must love Shannon now that he is home all the time now.

[@dennis9707]

wanna see a cat disappearing act. @12:21

[@TinnieTa21]

@@dennis9707 what if he never existed and was just a figment of our imagination?

[@patch8376]

Plot twist: Bear's occupying Pixel's favorite box, with plans to move in on her favorite bag. Meanwhile Lillybell's still holding it down.

[@patch8376]

@Christian Stokes not with that attitude

[@HunterDrone12]

That documentary on that season is really good

[@druski1985]

Very true their parent club the Baltimore Skipjacks had the most points in the AHL loved going to both arenas when I could..just asking Shannon if this happens to Vancouver in the same year would you feel the same way?? NJ Devils have won cups since and Vancouver ??love the videos keep up the awesome work

[@bradcrawford5314]

How about doing a video on the '84 draft? Roy goes in round 3, Hull in Round 6, Robitaille in ROUND 9! Seriously, how did teams keep passing over Hull? Being Bobby's son and scoring 50 goals (regardless of league) should have gotten him more attention. Calgary had a nice draft: Hull, Suter & Roberts!

[@ThePolarBearProductions]

Those goalies are still better than me playing goalie in any NHL video game.

[@honestyprofessorcaesarreal5091]

The Devils got Kirk Muller, I mean it's not Mario, but hey captain Kirk!

[@LurchyScott]

Good player for them but didn't help get them a cup. He helped Montreal get another cup though.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

The Devils were eventually rewarded with cups by the hockey gods for their integrity in 83/84.

[@tomlester5291]

As a longtime Pens fan, I have to say that I love the blue throwback jersey. That design was the last - and best - until they switched to the black and gold.

[@c71score]

Moe Mantha ended up being traded for Paul Coffey. The Pens top 5 picks between 1984-90, were Lemieux and Jagr, the others were moved for Coffey, Francis, Ulf Samuelsson, and Tom Barrasso.

[@jreiland07]

I'm sure the Penguins and their fans are really and truly concerned about how many randos in the KZbin comments have "nO ReSpeCt" for their franchise. How's that Philly chant go - "Nobody likes us, we don't care"?

[@nhlvan]

This tank season is the direct reason why Pittsburgh still has a team

[@DARK24-7]

What a reward for failure!!!My vote for the best ever-Mario just to stay healthy.He would have rewritten all the numbers!

[@codekhalil6437]

Not only did he save them the year he was drafted...but he ended up saving them once or twice after that too! Super Mario...the gift that keeps on giving!

[@WharcusMitman]

Imagine, had they not swapped their 1st round pick with the North Stars the year before, they could've drafted Steve Yzerman

[@marcgallant525]

Watch the 50th year vid the pens did, they explained it well and so did you

[@justanotherguy1001]

Greatest day in Penguins History

[@Sharks0770]

In 1982-83 Lou Angotti was headcoach from my Baltimore Skipjacks. Pittsburgh's AHL team at the time. He was a horrible headcoach at the AHL level. I went to 25 games that year... sat 5 rows behind the bench. Shannon's claims that he was the "sacrificial lamb" was no joke! When everything unfolded and Angotti was sent on his way.... the pieces (for Pittsburgh) fell right into place.

[@kevinhesspschamp8889]

Saskatoon Penguins my childhood would of been wonderful!

[@michaelleroy9281]

It was almost the Saskatoon Blues the year before

[@beholden1663]

Almost the Saskatoon Islanders some years back as well

[@kevinhesspschamp8889]

@@michaelleroy9281 yes probably wont get one for another 20 years

[@fredfrond6148]

Yes the Penguins tanked to get Mario Lemieux. A man that Don Cherry called a coach killer and Floater. Until Mario in his rookie year got MVP in the all star game.

[@codekhalil6437]

It's crazy how Mario went from some hot dogging, easy to hate player as a rookie, to the gentle giant everyone respects. And it only took a few years. Amazing what dominating the game can do

[@penguinsfan251]

Cherry never missed an.opportunity to be a dufus.

[@sdgakatbk]

The NHL didn't know about it at the time, but the coach complaining that they had a 3-1 lead should have gotten him suspended or banned from the league. It's a matter of integrity of the league. If you're a player busting your gut for this team and this crap is happening, what would you think? In a situation like this I wouldn't blame a player for demanding a trade. And yes, it takes time to exorcise the demons from a team like this. Kudos to Bullard and to anyone else performing well on a team like this. It takes a lot of fortitude to do that.

[@matthewmcdowall5444]

Best player ever

[@FischerFan]

Why wasn't this team mentioned on your video of worst NHL teams - post 1981?

[@9313James]

OMG SHANNON! There was a time you cheered for the Penguins!?!?!?!?!?!? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@holoholopainen1627]

Merci / Thanks for telling all this ! Montreal drafted 1983 #118 - an Finnish player called ARTO JAVANAINEN ! I dont know the details how He ended up with Pittsburgh 83 or 84 ! He was with Pittsburgh just for One season ! He was before Our Selanne & Laine - and is still Today FHL leading scorer ! Did They both have Their ROOKIE YEAR - The same year ? He " AJ " was drafted by Montreal - but Lemieux was just BORN THERE ! Both PLAYERS were GREAT - but at Different Leagues ! Everybody knows #4 Javanainen ! R.I.P #4

[@ricktacular6316]

Mario Lemieux is Mr Penguin and it's not even close.

[@17Helton]

The NYI, PHI, & WSH went 19-2 vs PIT that year. PIT was over .500 vs 2 teams HAR & NJD. Yeah that was a bad year--so bad in fact you'd have to think they did it on purpose? 🤧

[@JohnDoe-ff2fc]

Penguins are south of the equator. Saskatoon Puffins might have been more appropriate 🏒😜

[@sheajarvis2624]

Interesting, I can’t imagine the Penguins being a bad team. Ever since I became a hockey fan the Penguins have been one of the biggest threats in the league. Horrible jersey by the way, I love it.

[@VikDeth502]

Lol. Must not have been around in the early 2000s. Penguins are known for their cycle: Intentionally Tank Be gifted a generational player on a silver platter Win Intentionally tank Be gifted a generational player Etc. Rinse and repeat

[@sheajarvis2624]

Mark McCloskey I got into hockey in the early 2010s but I am familiar with the Penguins sucking in the early 2000s. That’s how they got Sid and Fleury and all that. It’s just weird to think that they were a shit team at times. But that happens to every team.

[@blitz9742]

Started watching in 2010 so I only know a penguins team that somehow finds ways to be a contending team. Learning about the history of the franchise gives me a whole new perspective on things

[@VikDeth502]

@@sheajarvis2624 Not every team. And most teams, at least in the pre-Salary Cap era, didn't sell off all their best players (Jagr, Kovalev, Morozov, Straka, Lang, etc) for absolutely nothing of value in return and intentionally suck to draft high picks. Of course, the year they happen to do so is the same year of the lockout and they get a 2-for-1 deal on top 2 overall draft picks. Yeah, the whole thing was shady as shit and sickens me that they rode that silver platter to 3 Cups.

[@sheajarvis2624]

Blitz exactly

[@MrAntonio2005]

Vincent “Milkman” Tremblay...another former Leaf goalie that was fed to the lions to soon. With a Pens AHL defence at the time, surprised his GAA was so low at 6.00...Could have been a 9.00.

[@philipcoggins9512]

12:50 To be fair, there are not any penguins native to the Northern Hemisphere...

[@9313James]

Also more species of penguin live in warm climates than in cold

[@poonking3628]

Other terrible teams to cover: - 2000 NYI - 2001 ATL - 1999 TBL - 2013 FLA - 2015 BUF - 1981 WPG -2007 PHI

[@LeSyd1984]

I believe WAS still has the record for absolute worst season ever... Was it 78?

[@sharangoalvich]

2019 Detroit

[@michaelleroy9281]

​@LeSyd1984 1974-75 The Caps were 8-67-5 for 21 points

[@michaelleroy9281]

1974 California Golden Seals

[@DSSports95]

When your done with the very best series you should do a all time tournament using those rosters and give your prediction on who wins it all

[@kylespencer7756]

I've done something like this on my own. Everyone has their own opinions, but being as neutral as possible, no body comes close to Montreal. Their roster would be completely full of hall famers except for one or two spots. Nobody else comes close.

[@domb45]

Great videos keep em coming

[@raptorspostgametalk]

Could you do a video on the Toronto vs Ottawa playoff rivalry

[@irubanomlas]

i think the bottom three teams should have the 1,2,3 picks and the lottery should be from 4-15

[@LeSyd1984]

I kind of liked the competition for draft picks... I understand the arguments for lottery but I feel it's pretty unfair that a team strong enough to be in contention for the cup get a shot at a franchise player just because of blind luck.

[@irubanomlas]

Sydney Alfred yeah because even teams who narrowly miss the playoffs have a chance at lafreniere, he should just go to the last team in the league

[@irubanomlas]

Sydney Alfred and it would also fix the problem of teams like edmonton and new jersey getting multiple first overall picks

[@tomlester5291]

Yes, we had some goal scoring prowess, albeit still not on par with so many other teams during that high scoring era, but the defense was abysmal. No support whatsoever for Denis Heron or the original #29, Michel Dion. Romano was young but never really panned out and frankly shouldn't have been in place of either Heron or Dion. With all due respect, Dion was better than this video implies. He was an All Star in a Penguins uniform and played a big part in almost derailing the Islanders dynasty in 1982. Bullard was the star at the time but quickly became disgruntled as he no longer had that star status with Lemiuex on the team. Sad to say but he definitely turned out not to be a team player and Dan Quinn was a welcome addition when we traded with Calgary. Moe Mantha was a good defenseman for a a few seasons but his greatest contribution was being part of the trade to get Paul Coffey.

[@burnout_2017]

Outdated building??? It was about 20 yrs old at that time. Compared to the other buildings in the league then it was basically new. They played 20 years more in it...research is not an option

[@СтаниславРедкий]

Are they tanking now or are they just plain bad now?

[@chriswingrove7656]

There are 2 more seasons you need to cover by the penguins that were just really bad : 2003-04 : started the season 0-17-1 lol. Thats epic losing there lol and fleury went 4-14-2 and our 2 best players were rick jackman and dick tarnstrum lol 2005-06 We went 22-46-14 with an exremely slow john leclair and a broken ziggy palffy. Fleury went 13-27-6. Im a die hard pens fan since 1989-90 but those teams were just awful and yet they were also my favorite teams because they had alot of gritty character players that i loved. Also we did at least win the games against the flyers and capitals so thats all that mattered to us in those years lol

[@doaftheloaf]

they did not start 0-17-1. i remember MAF was rookie of the month for october. he was later sent down, but the pens did not lose 17 of their first 18 games. it's possible that happened later during the year, but not at the start. and it didn't get them a #1 pick either; if it had, ovechkin would have been a penguin.

[@chriswingrove7656]

@@doaftheloaf you are correct it was January 13-febuary 25 good catch they did start 5-20

[@BrettHornby]

Pittsburgh tried their darndest and succeed. It helped when Jaromir Jagr came to the scene as well.

[@tommyettinger1353]

in fairness Jagr manipulated the draft on his own by lying that he wasn't coming over from the czech to the first four teams that tried to draft him which would just not fly today lol

[@apointtomake1517]

Yea, they lost a whole 2 more games than the prior year... Clearly had to try real hard.

[@spookykid5829]

It’s not fair that the pens have had two generational players

[@vinceniederman]

How is It Not Fair That Pittsburgh Has Had 2 Players To Save The Team From Moving Out of The Steel City?

[@joenobody571]

How about a video of all the capitals playoff failures

[@NYFanatic]

if the NJ devils won the rights to draft mario lemieux, it would be very interesting. I wonder what would it be like to put Lemieux on that 1988 magic run for the Devils to fall short of the finals by 1 against the Bruins. The dynasty Oilers vs the upstart Devils (formerly called Mickey Mouse Organization by Gretzky) would make headlines.

[@OttawaNow]

Was Mario Lemieux upset about being drafted by Pittsburgh due to them tanking the season? Did Lemieux want to go to New Jersey?

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Penguins will never be in financial trouble they have been purchased by Fenway Sports

[@SaskStarsFan]

Damn Saskatoon gets shafted again😭

[@michaelleroy9281]

Haha they didn't get the Blues in 1983 so no way in hell they were going to get another team

[@pumpkinking5174]

Lots of losing, poor attendance and threats of relocating.....sounds fimiliar, a theme that will repeat itself. Add multiple bankruptcies.

[@Wexter0083]

It makes you wonder what will happen when Crosby and Malkin lace the skates for the last time. But, I'm sure the city of Pittsburgh won't abandon their team because their losing right? Right? In all seriousness as a Sens fan I love the battles Ottawa had against Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Despite Ottawa rarely winning the series are always fun to watch. Except for the 2008 meltdown, which was just unpleasant to watch and I don't think that was even an entertaining series for Pens fans. But, still would hate the see anything happen to cost the Penguins from folding or moving divisions because of relocation.

[@kinggoten]

it was more then just losing and such, for the reasons of the struggles the team had financially but will see if the changes management have done since when Crosby retires.. the city has become a pretty big hockey market, but the fans are also very fair weather fans.... but I think they should be fine going forward, I would be more worried about Ottawa, Arizona, and Florida going forward.. of course going for more then a decade of really bad teams will endanger any team outside of the original six.

[@Wexter0083]

@@kinggoten Ottawa will be fine. Ottawa is a very complex situation that I could write an essay on. But, I feel the Tkachuk-era of the team will bring in fans once they start winning and see the young talent being locked up. Arizona and Florida are worrying. Florida is just a case of the team being close to terrible since 1996 and never getting anywhere. We've seen teams working in Tampa Bay so I'm sure they can recover if the effort is put in. Arizona... that's tricky, but they're not going anywhere.

[@9313James]

Even though I'm a Pens fan because the Penguin is my favourite animal and I chose the team as a child (so would have chosen them if they'd become the Saskatoon Penguins or whatever) I now have an affinity for the city of Pittsburgh that would definitely damage my association with the team if they moved. A lot more than an inevitable period of sucking would (given that the Pens are literally the only sports team I cheer for that is any good).

[@hugh2hoob668]

Pens still made the playoffs every year in the 90s dumbass

[@maxrates]

I believe that coach saved the franchise but didn't get much of a reward nor is he remembered

[@v4v819]

That time the Edmonton Oiler's failed for Nail!

[@jeffthewhiff]

I have been a Pens fan for a long time and unfortunately remember the 1983-84 season pretty well and I can't blame them for tanking, to be honest. As Shannon said, it likely saved the franchise from moving and Mario Lemieux turned-out to be a great player!

[@bavideomaker29]

Why don’t you do a video about the 1989 Hart Trophy voting.

[@doaftheloaf]

mario gets 199 points, but 99 gets the hart and yzerman got the pearson.

[@dadgaming1429]

I love everything about this video #letsgopens

[@swy334]

As a penguins fan from Saskatoon, damn/thank you Eddie Johnston

[@brettpatterson404]

Fun Fact the team that lost Lemieux because of the Penguins tank-New Jersey won three Stanley cups during the duration of Mario’s career when the Penguins won just two.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

I like how you write just two. As if New Jersey won seven more, lol.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

I always felt like the Devils were rewarded by the hockey gods for their integrity in 83/84.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Today we have 5 to NJs 3 lol

[@hugh2hoob668]

Devils had a solid system that's why

[@appleiphone69]

Pittsburgh for years after that, would loose games to setup their first round playoff opponent to their liking. They seemed to want to be in 4th or 5th place.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Called strategy

[@pierresoorden5975]

The most blatant tankers of all time?

[@jab1289]

What's funny is that they weren't the only tankers in sports that year. The Rockets also tanked late in the year (unfortunately) and got Olajuwon. If that didn't happen, MJ would have been in Philly, and Akeem in Portland.

[@comradebroflake1631]

So interesting !

[@gymrat2647]

Should do a video on original six arenas

[@OttawaNow]

Was Mario Lemieux upset about being drafted by Pittsburgh due to them tanking the season? Did Lemieux want to go to New Jersey?

[@michaelleroy9281]

He was upset, he wouldn't put on the jersey when they drafted him, he had to be talked into even taking a picture with it

[@humankirk9196]

"That time" lol not just that one time

[@davezarvan]

The Penguins are the luckiest team in the history of pro sports. Though respectable in the first handful of seasons, they are awful for most of the 70s and the early 80s. They go bankrupt in 1975, and they suck at the right time to draft Mario Lemieux. It takes a little while, but they win with Lemieux. They go bankrupt AGAIN in 1998, becoming the only team in any sport to go bankrupt more than once. To save them in 1998, Lemieux buys the team. They then tear the team down, sucking at the right time to draft Sidney Crosby. And of course they win with Crosby. This team is historically either really good or really bad, and no in between. A team that goes bankrupt once may have had a bad owner or just a bad run of seasons, but a team that goes bankrupt twice has something inherently wrong with the franchise. They have had ten ownership groups in their history, which means a new owner came in roughly every 5 years. That shows how unstable the team has been. Fans don't show up when they are bad, but do when they are good. All of this is why I have no respect for this franchise. Many "experts" today claim them to be a model franchise, but model franchises do not go bankrupt and are not constantly in relocation rumors. If you were asked how many championships a team that has gone bankrupt twice in its 50+ year existence would have, you probably would answer zero. It is baffling to me that a team that has been so unstable for most of its existence somehow has five championships.

[@vinceniederman]

I Agree With U About The Penguins Being So Damn Lucky Dispite Being Bankrupt Twice in Their 50 Plus Years As a Team at Least My Flyers Have Never Done That!

[@davezarvan]

​@@vinceniederman the Flyers have had one ownership group their entire existence, Comcast. For the most part, they have been consistently good throughout their history. Championships do not tell the whole story for a franchise in any sport. Yes, it is obviously what every team strives for, but it is not the sole indicator of long-term success.

[@vinceniederman]

@@davezarvan True and Now Many Of Us Flyers Fans Want Comcast To Sell The Team So We Can Be Good Again!

[@davezarvan]

@@vinceniederman I almost mentioned how it is for all intents and purposes like there was a new ownership group when the great Ed Snider passed. Snider, along with Mike Ilitch, were by far the two greatest owners in league history, I was heartbroken when each of them passed. Comcast absolutely needs to sell the team. The Flyers are not the same without Snider, and the Red Wings are not the same without Ilitch.

[@vinceniederman]

@@davezarvan Agreed 100% of What U Said About Ed and Mike!

[@filipostojic1239]

Would be nice to see one day the Vancouver Canucks get a Mario lemieux HOF caliber player one day, instead of always being mediocre

[@doaftheloaf]

you're not asking for much, just the greatest hockey player of all time.

[@ScarecrOmega]

I blame Kehoe and his clone, 2 of the same player really sunk that team.

[@c71score]

Ironically, Kehoe was head coach/tank commander for Ryan Whitney and Fleury.

[@sdgakatbk]

Why Kehoe, was he really horrible?

[@josephbartholomew5182]

That's such a scumbaggy way to play sports. You've gotta wonder how the players on the ice, being asked by their GM to lose on purpose just to get a higher draft pick, would've felt. No wonder people hate the penguins.

[@ftc1048]

is the draft lottery today?

[@charleshartz4814]

Love that jersey!!!!

[@hugh2hoob668]

Speaking of Devils and Penguins heres an old clip from around then kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn-WdoaMi655sNU

[@LeSyd1984]

Wow... Those SV% if a guy gets that in today's NHL he probably gets dragged behind the barn and put out of his misery, lol!

[@schlatt2574]

So if Crosby retired and the pens suck again they have to move? How come every time Pittsburgh sucks they almost have to move?

[@schlatt2574]

Hockeygod98 sorry its just that Pittsburgh feels like an original 6 team.

[@jasonfire3434]

Because Pittsburgh is a Steeler town and ignores the other teams when they suck lol

[@michaelleroy9281]

Then they'll have to draft another savior again

[@harrysean18]

Very weirdly like buffalo

[@tsholts5173]

I wonder what would've happened if Michel Briere didn't die in that car accident. Maybe we win a championship earlier. Doubt there will be threats of moving. We possibly don't get Mario (Edit: Although he would've been older so maybe we do)

[@sdgakatbk]

Didn't know about Briere. Death by car accident seems to happen to NHL players. Michel Briere, then Tim Horton, then Pelle Lindbergh. Probably more too.

[@jab1289]

@TSholts Briere took them to the Semis in 1970. They went to the playoffs again in 72, but the next good team they had was in 1975 (37-28-15 for 89 points). That team lost to the Isles in Round 1 after being up 3-0. If they have Briere, I think they make a deep run. After that, they made the playoffs almost every year from 76-82. Maybe Briere makes a difference one of those years, and there is enough interest in the team by 84 to put Lemieux in a green and red sweater instead.

[@111oooo]

Montreal offered them the Moon to get the pick

[@MMGJ10]

Quebec offered all 3 Stasney brothers. One team offered all 12 of their picks, if i'm not mistaken. Crazy, but would've been worth it.

[@doaftheloaf]

@@MMGJ10 all true. EJ told them to stick it in their ear. it's generally not a good idea to trade the best player in history.

[@brianrupp5974]

Devils owner and general manager at the time refused to tank. They said they don't believe in it! Big mistake. When you can get a Mario Lemieux you do whatever it takes to get him. Pittsburgh was drawing 6000 fans at the time and we're very close to relocating.

[@mr.devil9577]

Hockey Gods rewarded Jersey with 3 cups. They probably wouldn't have gotten guys like Brodeur and Niedermayer if they got Lemieux too

[@penguinsfan251]

Yeah, like 41 points is really trying hard night after night.

[@Zaghzackio]

We’d love to see more great seasons without a cup

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Penguins in the 70s weren't great , but competitive, had some good scorers

[@tommyettinger1353]

Have to wonder if briere would have really impacted history probably not get a cup but draw some more attention for the franchise

[@jab1289]

@@tommyettinger1353 I have wondered that myself. They went to the semis in 1970 with Briere, but they really didn't have another good team until 1975. If Briere was there, and they had the same team (basically), I think they make a run that year.

[@LordOfNothingham]

I remember New Jersey bitching up a storm about this, and I also remember when Gretzky called New Jersey a Mickey Mouse organization.

[@doaftheloaf]

at that point, it wasn't a lie.

[@patch8376]

Whenever people accuse teams today of tanking (they don't; it's a different game today) I'd point them to this team. THIS is tanking.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Wrong ...pens had bad players even after getting Mario they sti l missed playoffs

[@patch8376]

@@hugh2hoob668 I still can't hear you over the sound of you screaming Ovechkin will choke to the back beat of a Billy Joel song. How are you, by the way? How's he? Are you two one and both the same?

[@penguinsfan251]

This just popped up. Of course, the Penguin haters, especially the Eastern Pennsylvania crowd with NYC peni$ envy and a collective IQ of a soap dish spout off. The Pens filed for Chapter 11 reorganization ONCE. The 1975 event was receivership because of a failure to pay withholding taxes. That event did lead to Ed DeBartolo buying the team and it was DeBartolo that took the financial beating of the early 1980s that enabled the Pens to build a champion team. 1982 through 1984 were tough times in Western Pennsylvania. Countless steel mills closed and the headquarters of J&L Steel and Gulf Oil left town due to mergers. This is a reason why the Pens fans show up in Washington. Lots of people from PA moved there for work in the 80s. Johnston made a plan and DeBartolo agreed. The team would be bad for a while and they were. It was the only way to get out of mediocrity. The Patrick Division was brutal in those days. The Flyers, Caps and Isles were 100 point teams most seasons. The 1986 Pens missed the playoffs by two points. The 1987 Pens missed Mario for more than a month and missed the playoffs by four points. The 1988 Pens fi ished last...with a winning record, and missed the playoffs by one point. Thing is, they got better. The 1998 Chapter 11 filig was because Howard Baldwin had no business being an NHL owner and is not reflective of the Western Pennsylvania fan base. Now, facts are inconvienent things..such as Philadelphia sux and the Flyers are a joke, but that is life.

[@ll7868]

Mario should have been a Canadien. Losing on purpose should be punishable by firing squad, line 'em up and let the league's hardest shooters go to work.

[@michaelleroy9281]

The Canadiens were a great team, so they couldn't draft him #1 and the Penguins were turning down huge deals for that overall #1 pick

[@SirRandellFlagg.-jt6hv]

Shameless tanking,

[@thatsright4194]

Mario lemieux basically is Pittsburgh. He's done more for the city than any politician ever has. In baseball it was Clemente and football was Terry Bradshaw. But lemieux I would argue was more influencial than any of them. He tried to buy the pirates which ever bucco fan was praying for only to get stonewalled by the most hated man in Pittsburgh Bob Nutting.

[@patientmental875]

Eddie will take it to the grave & if the Devils had first pick Lemieux would have ended up in Montreal or Quebec!

[@swy334]

Cat bath

[@livetotell100]

Fans don't and never will understand the fact that sports teams are a business first. Doesn't matter if it's Hockey, Football, Baseball, or Basketball. In order to make money or save a team, they will lose as much or win as much as needed. If ANY other sports team LIE'S and say they won't do that, or haven't done that before, will burn in Hell for that lie.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Exactly like children they live in a fantasy When you die your favorite team isnt gonna give 2 shats

[@ryanlett1338]

Best moment ever.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Shannon you didnt mention Pierre McGuire was our scout and assistant coach in early 1990s!?

[@mikelouis9389]

The tanking that saved a franchise.

[@endersdragon34]

Twice

[@patrykkuffel2679]

I don't fault Pittsburgh at all. To prevent the team from folding they, in a desperate attempt, tanked for what turned out to be the 2nd best player ever to save the franchise. New Jersey honestly should have tried just as hard to tank. They shouldn't be upset Pittsburgh went out of their way to get the 1st overall pick. Lemieux was that special and everyone knew that.

[@jahmanoog461]

Before Mario, it was very tough being a PENS fan--like you note, cheap tickets--to watch them lose. It has worked out well for PIT and Lemieux, what other sport has a player so well paid he ends up owning the team? This was good for hockey, Pittsburgh has a loyal and increasingly knowledgeable fan base, so hockey is here to stay. Pittsburgh is called 'A drinking town with a football problem'. It took the Steelers 35 years to win anything. It's a tough market to break into. Lemieux is a beloved icon there, a stature he would not have obtained in NJ. Did Ottawa tank THIS year? They played hard,,, and made moves for their future. It is difficult to be middle of the pack in today's NHL, hard to build a team around the draft that way. Ottawa will not be the same team in three years, might even make the top row in the power rankings.

[@aaronfleshler6219]

This is evidence that the penguins fanbase is horrible

[@jacklang3030]

Aaron Fleshler *was but it has grown into one of the best thanks to Mario.

[@pumpkinking5174]

It's what Pens fans do. First sign of adversity, they stop showing up. They are frauds.

[@jacklang3030]

@Person Of Interest You are just trying to be a hater that’s all. You are just jealous of their success as a franchise. Instead of seeing how Pittsburgh has grown into one of the best hockey towns since the 80s you complain. Secondly the bankruptcy problems they faced in the 2000s wasn’t because of lack of fans but was because of money. The Penguins spent more money than they had. You know there wasn’t a salary cap till 2005 pal.

[@aaronfleshler6219]

@@jacklang3030 u may b the dumbest person on the planet u do know that the pens were last in attendance for the 2003 04 season right

[@aaronfleshler6219]

@@jacklang3030 the pens go through like a 4 year rebuild and the city vanishes the Sabres are on their 9th year with no playoffs and they still have attendance

[@andrewp3935]

This is why the pens are trash. They have done this repeatedly and don’t deserve their success. They’ve been given Lemieux , Jagr , crosby and malkin as rewards for losing. If the league didn’t give the team crosby the team would have left.

[@hugh2hoob668]

Pens had financial issues before Crosby moron You haters never have your numbers right lol

[@hugh2hoob668]

Edmonton was given 4 straight #1 picks still suck so yeah

[@michaelleroy9281]

The team leaving would have had nothing to do whether they got Crosby or not they wanted a new arena could have moved to Kansas City around 2007 if they didn't get a new arena which opened in 2010