The 2001–02 Pittsburgh Penguins season was the team's 35th year in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Penguins finished the year with a sub-.500 points percentage and failed to qualify for the playoffs, both for the first time since the 1989–90 season. This was the Penguins' last season with the "RoboPenguin" logo introduced during the 1992–93 Pittsburgh Penguins season. The Penguins reverted to using their original skating penguin logo afterwards.
Off-season On July 11, 2001, the Penguins shipped star right winger and team captain Jaromir Jagr, along with journeyman defenseman Frantisek Kucera, off to play for the Washington Capitals. In return, the Penguins received Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, Ross Lupaschuk, and future considerations. Team owner and franchise player Mario Lemieux, who returned from retirement in the middle of last season, regained the captaincy he once held before retiring in. The New York Rangers also made an offer for Jagr, consisting of Kim Johnsson and Mike York. The Rangers maintain that Patrick traded Jagr to the Capitals because he was angry with their general manager, Glen Sather.Mehno, John. The Best Pittsburgh Sports Arguments: The 100 Most Controversial, Debatable Questions for Die-Hard Fans. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2007, pp. 149–150. The trade still ranks as the fifth-worst trade in team history.Mehno, John. The Best Pittsburgh Sports Arguments: The 100 Most Controversial, Debatable Questions for Die-Hard Fans. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks, 2007, pp. 131–132.
Regular season After an 0–4 start, head coach Ivan Hlinka was relieved of his duties and replaced by Rick Kehoe.
Final standings
Schedule and results
| 1 || 3 || Colorado Avalanche || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 0–1–0–0 || 0 ||
| 2 || 6 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,411) || 0–2–0–0 || 0 ||
| 3 || 10 || New York Islanders || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,038) || 0–3–0–0 || 0 ||
| 4 || 14 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–1 || Buffalo Sabres || HSBC Arena (15,815) || 0–4–0–0 || 0 ||
| 5 || 16 || Ottawa Senators || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,907) || 1–4–0–0 || 2 ||
| 6 || 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–3 || Ottawa Senators || Corel Centre (15,521) || 2–4–0–0 || 4 ||
| 7 || 20 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1 OT || St. Louis Blues || Savvis Center (18,854) || 2–4–0–1 || 5 ||
| 8 || 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Atlanta Thrashers || Philips Arena (13,281) || 3–4–0–1 || 7 ||
| 9 || 24 || Dallas Stars || 2–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,958) || 4–4–0–1 || 9 ||
| 10 || 27 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–0 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Air Canada Centre (19,166) || 4–5–0–1 || 9 ||
| 11 || 28 || Florida Panthers || 2–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,449) || 4–5–1–1 || 10 ||
| 12 || 31 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–0 || Philadelphia Flyers || First Union Center (19,365) || 4–6–1–1 || 10 ||
| 13 || 1 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,763) || 5–6–1–1 || 12 ||
| 14 || 3 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1–2 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 6–6–1–1 || 14 ||
| 15 || 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 || Carolina Hurricanes || Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (15,938) || 6–6–2–1 || 15 ||
| 16 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–0 || Florida Panthers || National Car Rental Center (16,164) || 6–7–2–1 || 15 ||
| 17 || 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 OT || Tampa Bay Lightning || Ice Palace Arena (18,812) || 6–7–2–2 || 16 ||
| 18 || 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–5 || New Jersey Devils || Continental Airlines Arena (12,480) || 7–7–2–2 || 18 ||
| 19 || 14 || New York Islanders || 3–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,466) || 7–7–3–2 || 19 ||
| 20 || 17 || New York Rangers || 0–1 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,027) || 8–7–3–2 || 21 ||
| 21 || 21 || Vancouver Canucks || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,980) || 8–8–3–2 || 21 ||
| 22 || 23 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–0 || Nashville Predators || Gaylord Entertainment Center (16,717) || 8–9–3–2 || 21 ||
| 23 || 24 || Buffalo Sabres || 1–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,958) || 9–9–3–2 || 23 ||
| 24 || 27 || New Jersey Devils || 0–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (13,410) || 10–9–3–2 || 25 ||
| 25 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–0 || San Jose Sharks || Compaq Center (17,496) || 10–10–3–2 || 25 ||
| 26 || 1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || Phoenix Coyotes || America West Arena (14,109) || 10–11–3–2 || 25 ||
| 27 || 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1 || Toronto Maple Leafs || Air Canada Centre (19,271) || 11–11–3–2 || 27 ||
| 28 || 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–4 || Boston Bruins || FleetCenter (14,125) || 12–11–3–2 || 29 ||
| 29 || 8 || Atlanta Thrashers || 3–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,917) || 13–11–3–2 || 31 ||
| 30 || 11 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–2 || Washington Capitals || MCI Center (18,672) || 13–11–4–2 || 32 ||
| 31 || 12 || Boston Bruins || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (13,397) || 13–12–4–2 || 32 ||
| 32 || 14 || Minnesota Wild || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (13,378) || 13–13–4–2 || 32 ||
| 33 || 16 || Carolina Hurricanes || 7–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,226) || 13–14–4–2 || 32 ||
| 34 || 19 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 13–15–4–2 || 32 ||
| 35 || 21 || Washington Capitals || 3–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 14–15–4–2 || 34 ||
| 36 || 22 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–4 || Washington Capitals || MCI Center (18,672) || 14–15–5–2 || 35 ||
| 37 || 26 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–0 || New Jersey Devils || Continental Airlines Arena (19,040) || 14–16–5–2 || 35 ||
| 38 || 29 || Ottawa Senators || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 14–17–5–2 || 35 ||
| 39 || 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (16,234) || 14–18–5–2 || 35 ||
| 40 || 5 || New York Rangers || 1–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,305) || 15–18–5–2 || 37 ||
| 41 || 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–0 || Chicago Blackhawks || United Center (16,537) || 15–19–5–2 || 37 ||
| 42 || 8 || Boston Bruins || 3–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,897) || 15–20–5–2 || 37 ||
| 43 || 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–2 || Buffalo Sabres || HSBC Arena (16,151) || 16–20–5–2 || 39 ||
| 44 || 12 || St. Louis Blues || 4–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,958) || 16–21–5–2 || 39 ||
| 45 || 15 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–2 || Vancouver Canucks || General Motors Place (18,422) || 16–22–5–2 || 39 ||
| 46 || 17 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–6 || Calgary Flames || Pengrowth Saddledome (15,437) || 17–22–5–2 || 41 ||
| 47 || 19 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 0–1 || Edmonton Oilers || Skyreach Centre (16,839) || 18–22–5–2 || 43 ||
| 48 || 21 || Philadelphia Flyers || 2–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,958) || 19–22–5–2 || 45 ||
| 49 || 23 || Tampa Bay Lightning || 1–5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,127) || 20–22–5–2 || 47 ||
| 50 || 24 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–5 OT || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (16,234) || 21–22–5–2 || 49 ||
| 51 || 26 || Atlanta Thrashers || 2–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,021) || 22–22–5–2 || 51 ||
| 52 || 29 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 OT || Philadelphia Flyers || First Union Center (19,634) || 22–22–5–3 || 52 ||
| 53 || 30 || San Jose Sharks || 6–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,152) || 22–23–5–3 || 52 ||
| 54 || 5 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–3 || Carolina Hurricanes || Raleigh Entertainment & Sports Arena (18,730) || 22–23–6–3 || 53 ||
| 55 || 7 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 1–0 || Montreal Canadiens || Molson Centre (21,191) || 22–24–6–3 || 53 ||
| 56 || 9 || New Jersey Devils || 2–1 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,021) || 22–24–6–4 || 54 ||
| 57 || 10 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) (18,200) || 22–25–6–4 || 54 ||
| 58 || 12 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 5–1 || Ottawa Senators || Corel Centre (17,332) || 22–26–6–4 || 54 ||
| 59 || 27 || Los Angeles Kings || 5–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,134) || 22–27–6–4 || 54 ||
| 60 || 28 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–4 OT || Columbus Blue Jackets || Nationwide Arena (18,136) || 23–27–6–4 || 56 ||
| 61 || 2 || Detroit Red Wings || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 23–28–6–4 || 56 ||
| 62 || 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || New York Islanders || Nassau Coliseum (13,277) || 24–28–6–4 || 58 ||
| 63 || 5 || Florida Panthers || 5–6 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (12,652) || 25–28–6–4 || 60 ||
| 64 || 7 || Carolina Hurricanes || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,111) || 25–29–6–4 || 60 ||
| 65 || 9 || New York Rangers || 2–3 OT || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,958) || 26–29–6–4 || 62 ||
| 66 || 11 || Columbus Blue Jackets || 4–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (13,422) || 26–30–6–4 || 62 ||
| 67 || 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || Mighty Ducks of Anaheim || Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim (12,536) || 26–31–6–4 || 62 ||
| 68 || 16 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–3 || Los Angeles Kings || Staples Center (18,118) || 26–32–6–4 || 62 ||
| 69 || 18 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–4 || Atlanta Thrashers || Philips Arena (12,305) || 27–32–6–4 || 64 ||
| 70 || 20 || Phoenix Coyotes || 3–1 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (12,851) || 27–33–6–4 || 64 ||
| 71 || 23 || Philadelphia Flyers || 4–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (17,148) || 27–33–7–4 || 65 ||
| 72 || 24 || Washington Capitals || 2–6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,971) || 28–33–7–4 || 67 ||
| 73 || 27 || New Jersey Devils || 4–3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (15,106) || 28–34–7–4 || 67 ||
| 74 || 30 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 2–1 OT || Montreal Canadiens || Molson Centre (21,273) || 28–34–7–5 || 68 ||
| 75 || 1 || Montreal Canadiens || 3–0 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (14,110) || 28–35–7–5 || 68 ||
| 76 || 3 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || Florida Panthers || National Car Rental Center (15,614) || 28–36–7–5 || 68 ||
| 77 || 4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 4–2 || Tampa Bay Lightning || Amalie Arena (15,454) || 28–37–7–5 || 68 ||
| 78 || 6 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–1 || Philadelphia Flyers || First Union Center (19,750) || 28–38–7–5 || 68 ||
| 79 || 8 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 3–2 || New York Rangers || Madison Square Garden (IV) (18,200) || 28–39–7–5 || 68 ||
| 80 || 10 || Buffalo Sabres || 4–4 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (12,724) || 28–39–8–5 || 69 ||
| 81 || 12 || Toronto Maple Leafs || 5–2 || Pittsburgh Penguins || Mellon Arena (16,816) || 28–40–8–5 || 69 ||
| 82 || 13 || Pittsburgh Penguins || 7–1 || Boston Bruins || FleetCenter (17,565) || 28–41–8–5 || 69 ||
Legend:
Player statistics Skaters
Regular season Player 67 32 44 76 2 80 79 24 33 57 -7 50 62 18 32 50 9 16 72 20 29 49 -7 16 24 6 25 31 0 14 † 40 10 20 30 -14 16 79 9 20 29 -6 47 ‡ 58 13 12 25 -8 14 79 10 15 25 -25 45 79 8 10 18 -15 4 82 6 11 17 -19 71 68 8 8 16 -9 16 ‡ 69 2 12 14 -1 123 47 6 7 13 -18 28 75 4 7 11 -12 73 33 3 7 10 -1 18 64 2 8 10 -11 54 13 5 4 9 3 0 53 2 5 7 -12 22 ‡ 33 1 5 6 -13 109 32 1 4 5 -9 25 19 0 4 4 2 42 † 14 2 1 3 -5 4 † 13 2 1 3 -5 4 † 13 1 2 3 -2 8 11 1 2 3 -1 9 60 0 3 3 -1 68 21 1 1 2 -12 17 † 15 0 2 2 -3 30 57 0 2 2 -5 150 † 13 0 2 2 -4 21 † 4 1 0 1 1 4 23 0 1 1 -7 8 4 0 1 1 -1 4 Total 198 340 538 — 1,210
Goaltenders Regular season Player 66 64 3876:33 25 34 7 178 2.76 1851 0.904 6 0 1 22 21 18 1094:18 3 12 1 65 3.56 537 0.879 0 0 0 0 Total 82 4970:51 28 46 8 243 2.93 2388 0.898 6 0 1 22 †Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Penguins. Stats reflect time with the Penguins only.