Pittsburgh Penguins: A Look Back at 2014

1. Crosby wins big at NHL awards

Jun 24, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Pittsburg Penguins captain Sidney Crosby holds the Hart Trophy while posing with the

Award and the

Trophy after winning the three titles during the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony at Wynn Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The end of last season saw Sidney Crosby‘s comeback from years of injury woes finally reach fruition as the Pens captain headlined the NHL awards, winning the Art Ross Trophy (scoring title), the Hart Memorial Trophy (most valuable player), and Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player, as voted by peers).

Crosby’s 2013-14 campaign saw him top 100 points for the first time in four seasons (after recording over 100 points in four of his first five seasons), putting an exclamation mark on his return to the position of world’s best player.

After dealing with concussion issues that looked at times as if they could have ended Crosby’s career for good, the captain’s return to the podium at the end of last season proved without a doubt that he is back and ready to claim his second Stanley Cup.

2. Pens step up in Sochi

The Pittsburgh Penguins were well-represented at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, sending seven players to the games.

Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin suited up for Team USA, while Olli Maatta and Jussi Jokinen were selected to play for Finland. Evgeni Malkin rejoined the Russian squad to play for some hometown glory, and Team Canada tapped Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby to bolster their forward group, naming the latter their captain.

The Pens had a strong showing internationally across the board. Jokinen and Maatta helped power the Finns to a surprising Bronze medal finish. Crosby and Kunitz helped Canada capture the gold medal, with both forwards tallying beautiful goals in the gold medal game when needed most.

While Evgeni Malkin had a less-than-spectacular Olympic experience back home in Russia, he still managed to enjoy some international glory in 2014 when he helped Russia capture the World Championship gold medal – their second in three years.

3. Scary health issues

Dec 21, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) at the face-off circle against the Calgary Flames during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Penguins won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

While 2014 saw some Penguins triumph via personal accolades or international medals, it was also a year of serious health scares for a few of the Pens’ key players.

The first came in February when defenseman Kris Letang suffered a stroke, taking him out of action for an extended period of time and calling his career into question. The former Norris Trophy nominee was able to recover fully and return to doing what he does best – leading the Pens’ march from the blue line.

Pittsburgh’s second health scare came at the start of this season, when fans were told Olli Maatta would undergo surgery to remove a tumor on his thyroid that could possibly be cancerous. Eventually finding out that the tumor was indeed cancerous, Maatta emerged from the situation stronger than before after a successful surgery and quick recovery period.

The Pens’ health crises continued recently when Pascal Dupuis was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung, sidelining him for, at the very least, six months. The veteran winger remains out while he recovers from the condition, but hopes to make a full recovery.

4. Front office shake-up

May 4, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach

(top left) talks to referee Eric Furlatt (27) against the New York Rangers during the first period in game two of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

One of the most significant moves in the Pens’ recent history, not only of the last year but of the last few at least, came when the Penguins’ ownership decided to part ways with the Stanley Cup-winning duo of General Manager Ray Shero and Head Coach Dan Bylsma.

The two, who were instrumental in the Penguins’ 2009 championship, seemed at one point to be untouchable, safe in their positions due to the success they brought to Pittsburgh.

However, a series of disappointing playoff performances necessitated change, and the Pens’ ownership decided to start from the top and work their way down.

The cleaning of house also included the removal of assistant coaches Todd Reirden and Tony Granato, alongside a bit of controversy in the Pens’ decision to wait on firing coach Bylsma (a decision that severely limited Bylsma’s options post-Penguins by locking him up until after many of the vacant coaching positions had been filled).

5. Pens trade James Neal

Oct 9, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left winger James Neal (18) during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps the biggest event of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2014 was the team’s decision to trade All-Star winger James Neal at the draft.

Upon coming over to Pittsburgh in a deal from Dallas (Neal and Matt Niskanen for Alex Goligoski) in 2o11, Neal became an immediate hit. It wasn’t just that the Pens seemed to have struck gold with an unbelievably lopsided trade, it was Neal’s immediate chemistry with centre Evgeni Malkin that made it all so cheery.

With Crosby and Kunitz lighting it up on the first line, and Malkin and Neal doing the same on the second, Pittsburgh seemed to be in fine shape moving forward. When Crosby went down with a myriad of serious injuries, it was Malkin and Neal who helped carry the team, putting together a stunning offensive season that saw the two combine for 90 goals (50 for Geno and 40 for Neal).

The Pens seemed so pleased with Neal that they locked him up to the tune of a 6-year, $30 million contract, seemingly inducting him into their core.

However, after a slew of unfortunate decisions that resulted in suspensions and fines, as well as a shift towards playing on the perimeter, Pittsburgh decided they needed to move the high-flying winger and go back to basics.

They needed to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty again, and they found that blue-collar style of play in Nashville’s Patric Hornqvist. Thus the deal was made – Neal to Nashville, Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to Pittsburgh.

Despite the initial hesitation, the deal has turned out fairly well for both clubs. Hornqvist has been a hit for the Pens, playing alongside both Crosby and Malkin at times, and recording 13 goals and 29 points in 33 games thus far.

Neal has become a key part of a reborn offense in Nashville, posting 11 goals and 21 points in 33 games, while the Preds currently sit in 3rd place in a tough Western Conference.

It was certainly a bold move at the time, and one many Pens fans probably took issue with, but the move has served both teams well up to this point.