The 1984–85

Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins (colloquially known as the Pens) are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh. The Penguins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), E ...

season A season is a division of the year based on changes in weather, ecology, and the number of daylight hours in a given region. On Earth, seasons are the result of the axial parallelism of Earth's axial tilt, tilted orbit around the Sun. In temperat ...

was the team's eighteenth in the

National Hockey League The National Hockey League (NHL; , ''LNH'') is a professional ice hockey league in North America composed of 32 teams25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. The NHL is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Cana ...

. It marked the debut of Mario Lemieux for the Penguins. The Penguins failed to qualify for the playoffs for the third consecutive year, and finished last in the Prince of Wales Conference with 53 points, the second-worst in the NHL.

Background

Lemieux debuted with the Penguins on October 11, 1984, in a game against the

Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The t ...

; he scored a goal with his very first NHL shot during his first shift. Later that season, Lemieux played in the NHL All-Star Game and became the first rookie to be named the All-Star Game's

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

. Despite missing seven games during the season, Lemieux scored one hundred points and won the

Calder Memorial Trophy The Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League (NHL)." It is named after Frank Calder, the first president of the NHL. Serving ...

as the rookie of the year.

Offseason

Before the 1984 NHL entry draft, Lemieux announced he wanted to play for whoever drafted him. He and his agent were deadlocked with the Penguins and could not negotiate a contract. Because of this, when the Penguins called his name as the first overall draft pick, he did not shake

general manager A general manager (GM) is an executive who has overall responsibility for managing both the revenue and cost elements of a company's income statement, known as profit & loss (P&L) responsibility. A general manager usually oversees most or all of ...

Eddie Johnston's hand or don the Penguins jersey, as is NHL tradition. He claimed he was upset about the contract negotiation, and said that "Pittsburgh doesn't want imbad enough."Christopher, 23. Even though the draft was held in Montreal, more than three thousand fans viewed the broadcast in Pittsburgh's Civic Arena. In contrast, a typical Penguins game drew fewer than seven thousand fans. Lemieux's actions upset many fans and led to accusations of arrogance and aloofness. After the draft, Johnston signed Lemieux to a two-year contract for $600,000, plus a $150,000 bonus for signing. Although Lemieux wore the jersey #27 during his time with the Laval Voisins, he wanted to adopt Wayne Gretzky's #99 when he entered the NHL; however, his agent advised him to create his own identity. In response, Lemieux turned #99 upside down and landed on #66, which stayed with him throughout his career.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Schedule and results

, - , 1 , , Oct 11 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , ,

, , Boston Garden , , 0–1–0 , , 0 , - , 2 , , Oct 13 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , ,

Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens (), officially ' ( Canadian Hockey Club) and colloquially known as the Habs, are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal. The Canadiens compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic D ...

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Montreal Forum Montreal Forum () is a historic building located facing Cabot Square, Montreal, Cabot Square in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by ''Sporting News'', it was an indoor arena which served as the home o ...

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Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver. The Canucks compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conferenc ...

, , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 1–2–0 , , 2 , - , 4 , , Oct 20 , ,

Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia. The Flyers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team play ...

, , 1–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 2–2–0 , , 4 , - , 5 , , Oct 21 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–4 , ,

, , The Spectrum , , 2–3–0 , , 4 , - , 6 , , Oct 24 , ,

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The club w ...

, , 5–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 2–4–0 , , 4 , - , 7 , , Oct 27 , ,

, , 5–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 3–4–0 , , 6 , - , 8 , , Oct 30 , ,

Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings (colloquially referred to as the Wings) are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit. The Red Wings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the East ...

, , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 4–4–0 , , 8 , - , 9 , , Oct 31 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 7–6 , ,

, , Brendan Byrne Arena , , 5–4–0 , , 10 , - , - , 10 , , Nov 3 , ,

New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York City. The Rangers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Conference. The team plays ...

, , 7–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 5–5–0 , , 10 , - , 11 , , Nov 6 , ,

Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton. The Oilers compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. Th ...

, , 3–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 5–5–1 , , 11 , - , 12 , , Nov 8 , , St. Louis Blues , , 6–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 5–6–1 , , 11 , - , 13 , , Nov 10 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–5 , ,

New York Islanders The New York Islanders (colloquially known as the Isles) are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (N ...

, , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 5–7–1 , , 11 , - , 14 , , Nov 14 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–3 OT , ,

Winnipeg Jets The Winnipeg Jets are a professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg. The Jets compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division (NHL), Central Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The te ...

, , Winnipeg Arena , , 6–7–1 , , 13 , - , 15 , , Nov 16 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–7 , ,

, , Pacific Coliseum , , 6–8–1 , , 13 , - , 16 , , Nov 17 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–5 , ,

Los Angeles Kings The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles. The Kings compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. ...

, , The Forum , , 6–9–1 , , 13 , - , 17 , , Nov 21 , ,

Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals (colloquially known as the Caps) are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. The Capitals compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference (NH ...

, , 3–3 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 6–9–2 , , 14 , - , 18 , , Nov 22 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–9 , , Hartford Whalers , , Hartford Civic Center , , 6–10–2 , , 14 , - , 19 , , Nov 24 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 6–11–2 , , 14 , - , 20 , , Nov 27 , ,

Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division (NHL), Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference (NHL), Eastern Con ...

, , 2–2 OT , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 6–11–3 , , 15 , - , 21 , , Nov 29 , ,

Chicago Black Hawks Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, , 6–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 6–12–3 , , 15 , - , - , 22 , , Dec 1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–3 , ,

, , The Spectrum , , 6–13–3 , , 15 , - , 23 , , Dec 2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–9 , ,

, , Capital Centre , , 6–14–3 , , 15 , - , 24 , , Dec 5 , , St. Louis Blues , , 4–7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 7–14–3 , , 17 , - , 25 , , Dec 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–3 OT , ,

, , Madison Square Garden (IV) , , 8–14–3 , , 19 , - , 26 , , Dec 8 , ,

Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary. The Flames compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Pacific Division (NHL), Pacific Division in the Western Conference (NHL), Western Conference. The ...

, , 4–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 9–14–3 , , 21 , - , 27 , , Dec 12 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 10–14–3 , , 23 , - , 28 , , Dec 15 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 5–2 , ,

Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs (officially the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and often referred to as the Leafs) are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto. The Maple Leafs compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the A ...

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Maple Leaf Gardens Maple Leaf Gardens is a historic building located at the northwest corner of Carlton Street and Church and Wellesley, Church Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The building was originally constructed in 1931 as an indoor arena to host ice hoc ...

, , 11–14–3 , , 25 , - , 29 , , Dec 19 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 11–15–3 , , 25 , - , 30 , , Dec 21 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 12–15–3 , , 27 , - , 31 , , Dec 22 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–5 , ,

, , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 12–16–3 , , 27 , - , 32 , , Dec 26 , ,

, , 5–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 13–16–3 , , 29 , - , 33 , , Dec 28 , , Hartford Whalers , , 0–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 14–16–3 , , 31 , - , 34 , , Dec 29 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–10 , ,

Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques (, pronounced in Quebec French, in Canadian English; translated "Northmen" or "Northerners") were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association (1972–1979) an ...

, , Colisée de Québec , , 14–17–3 , , 31 , - , 35 , , Dec 31 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–4 OT , ,

, , Joe Louis Arena , , 14–17–4 , , 32 , - , - , 36 , , Jan 2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–1 , ,

, ,

, , 15–17–4 , , 34 , - , 37 , , Jan 4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–7 , ,

, ,

Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, colloquially known as The Aud, was a multipurpose indoor arena in downtown Buffalo, New York. Opened on October 14, 1940, it was home to the Canisius Golden Griffins men's basketball, Canisius Golden Griffins (Nationa ...

, , 15–18–4 , , 34 , - , 38 , , Jan 5 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 15–19–4 , , 34 , - , 39 , , Jan 9 , ,

, , 4–7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 16–19–4 , , 36 , - , 40 , , Jan 12 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 17–19–4 , , 38 , - , 41 , , Jan 16 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 17–20–4 , , 38 , - , 42 , , Jan 17 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–6 , ,

, , Capital Centre , , 17–21–4 , , 38 , - , 43 , , Jan 19 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 18–21–4 , , 40 , - , 44 , , Jan 21 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–7 , ,

, , Winnipeg Arena , , 18–22–4 , , 40 , - , 45 , , Jan 23 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , , Minnesota North Stars , , Met Center , , 18–23–4 , , 40 , - , 46 , , Jan 25 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–6 OT , ,

, , Olympic Saddledome , , 18–23–5 , , 41 , - , 47 , , Jan 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–6 , ,

, , Northlands Coliseum , , 18–24–5 , , 41 , - , 48 , , Jan 30 , ,

, , 6–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 18–25–5 , , 41 , - , - , 49 , , Feb 2 , ,

, , 4–0 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 18–26–5 , , 41 , - , 50 , , Feb 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–6 , ,

, , Brendan Byrne Arena , , 18–27–5 , , 41 , - , 51 , , Feb 9 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–4 , ,

, , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 18–28–5 , , 41 , - , 52 , , Feb 10 , ,

, , 4–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 18–29–5 , , 41 , - , 53 , , Feb 14 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–5 , ,

, , Chicago Stadium , , 18–30–5 , , 41 , - , 54 , , Feb 16 , ,

, , 8–1 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 18–31–5 , , 41 , - , 55 , , Feb 18 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 2–8 , ,

, , The Spectrum , , 18–32–5 , , 41 , - , 56 , , Feb 20 , ,

, , 3–6 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 19–32–5 , , 43 , - , 57 , , Feb 22 , ,

, , 8–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 19–33–5 , , 43 , - , 58 , , Feb 23 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–1 , , Minnesota North Stars , , Met Center , , 20–33–5 , , 45 , - , 59 , , Feb 25 , , Minnesota North Stars , , 5–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 20–34–5 , , 45 , - , 60 , , Feb 27 , ,

, , 6–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 20–35–5 , , 45 , - , - , 61 , , Mar 2 , ,

, , 4–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 21–35–5 , , 47 , - , 62 , , Mar 3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

, , Madison Square Garden (IV) , , 21–36–5 , , 47 , - , 63 , , Mar 5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 0–6 , ,

, , The Forum , , 21–37–5 , , 47 , - , 64 , , Mar 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–5 , , St. Louis Blues , , St. Louis Arena , , 21–38–5 , , 47 , - , 65 , , Mar 9 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 6–5 OT , ,

, , Boston Garden , , 22–38–5 , , 49 , - , 66 , , Mar 10 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–11 , ,

, , The Spectrum , , 22–39–5 , , 49 , - , 67 , , Mar 13 , ,

, , 7–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 22–40–5 , , 49 , - , 68 , , Mar 16 , ,

, , 0–5 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 23–40–5 , , 51 , - , 69 , , Mar 17 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , , Hartford Whalers , , Hartford Civic Center , , 23–41–5 , , 51 , - , 70 , , Mar 19 , ,

, , 5–3 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 23–42–5 , , 51 , - , 71 , , Mar 22 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 1–3 , ,

, ,

, , 23–43–5 , , 51 , - , 72 , , Mar 24 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

, , Capital Centre , , 23–44–5 , , 51 , - , 73 , , Mar 26 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–5 , ,

, , Madison Square Garden (IV) , , 23–45–5 , , 51 , - , 74 , , Mar 27 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 24–45–5 , , 53 , - , 75 , , Mar 30 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 4–6 , ,

, , Brendan Byrne Arena , , 24–46–5 , , 53 , - , 76 , , Mar 31 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 24–47–5 , , 53 , - , - , 77 , , Apr 2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–4 , ,

, , Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum , , 24–48–5 , , 53 , - , 78 , , Apr 3 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 24–49–5 , , 53 , - , 79 , , Apr 6 , ,

, , 7–4 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , Civic Arena , , 24–50–5 , , 53 , - , 80 , , Apr 7 , , Pittsburgh Penguins , , 3–7 , ,

, , Capital Centre , , 24–51–5 , , 53 , - , - , ''Legend'':

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

* Mario Lemieux established a new franchise rookie record for goals (43), assists (57) and points (100). He topped the previous highs held by Pierre Larouche (37 assists, 68 points) and Mike Bullard (36 goals). * Rick Kehoe established a career franchise record for points (636). He had led the category since 1984. * Mario Lemieux,

* Mario Lemieux, NHL All-Rookie Team * Warren Young, NHL All-Rookie Team

Transactions

The Penguins were involved in the following transactions during the 1984–85 season:

Trades

Additions and subtractions

Draft picks

The 1984 NHL entry draft was held on June 9, 1984, in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

References

Player stats on Hockey Database

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:1984-85 Pittsburgh Penguins season Pittsburgh Penguins seasons

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania#Municipalities, second-most populous city in Pennsylvania (after Philadelphia) and the List of Un ...

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