1977–78 Pittsburgh Penguins season
| 1977–78 Pittsburgh Penguins | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th Norris |
| Conference | 7th Wales |
| 1977–78 record | 25–37–18 |
| Goals for | 254 |
| Goals against | 321 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Baz Bastien |
| Coach | Johnny Wilson |
| Captain | Jean Pronovost |
| Alternate captains | None |
| Arena | Pittsburgh Civic Arena |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Jean Pronovost (40) |
| Assists | Greg Malone (43) |
| Points | Jean Pronovost (65) |
| Penalties in minutes | Dave Schultz (378) |
| Wins | Denis Herron (20) |
| Goals against average | Denis Herron (3.57) |
The 1977–78 Pittsburgh Penguins season was their 11th in the National Hockey League. They finished fourth in the Norris Division, thus did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs. This was their worst regular season since 1974, with only 68 points, and the first time since 1974 that the Penguins did not qualify for the playoffs.
In the off-season head coach Ken Schinkel was replaced by former Kings, Red Wings and Rockies head coach Johnny Wilson. Veterans Vic Hadfield and Ed Van Impe retired. Defensive forward Bob Kelly's contract ended and he took his services to Chicago, while Captain Ron Schock was traded to the Sabres (Jean Pronovost was named captain in his place).
In an attempt to replace Kelly general manager Baz Bastien acquired former Flyer enforcer Dave Schultz early in the season, but the price was high: Syl Apps, Jr., one of the team's all-time leading scorers. Schultz was traded the following season.
Frustrated with the performance of talented winger Pierre Larouche, Bastien dealt the 22-year-old to the Montreal Canadiens for veteran Pete Mahovlich and prospect Peter Lee on November 29, 1977. Larouche would go on to win two Stanley Cup championships with the Canadiens, while Mahovlich was traded to the Red Wings less than two years later. Lee would fail to live up to his promise, scoring an average of only 0.57 points per game over the course of six seasons with the Penguins.
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