NHL - Pittsburgh Penguins - 2016 Stanley Cup Champions

'The challenge is to take a group of great players and become a great team. We're going to establish an identity that's clear. We're going to play to that identity. We're going to try and have an unwavering focus so that we don't get distracted. we're going to try and play that way each and every night.'
Those were the words of Mike Sullivan on Dec. 12 of last year, after it was announced that he would be taking over the job as head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Those words summarize the Pens’ 2015-16 season: a collection of players that bonded together to overcome remarkable adversity and conquer the entire National Hockey League.
“The challenge is to take a group of great players and become a great team.” The Pens set out to become a great team. Along the way, they became the greatest team.

There is no denying that fact following their 3-1 victory in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Sunday night.
On this night, the Pens won their fourth Stanley Cup championship, and exactly seven years to the day of winning their third title. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang have delivered the city a second Stanley Cup championship, just as the likes of Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Ron Francis before them. The legacies of the team’s core players will be enshrined in Pittsburgh sports’ history and etched, once again, onto the side of the NHL’s holiest chalice.
However, this outcome seemed unlikely just a few months ago.
But even on that December afternoon, when many in the hockey world, many of the team’s own fans and possibly some in the locker room and within the organization had written the season off as a failure, Sullivan believed.
Maybe it was naiveté. Maybe it was blind faith. Maybe even stubbornness. Whatever it was, Sullivan had a deep conviction that when he first stepped into the locker room that he would be walking into a room full champions.
Much has already been written, and rightfully so, about the Pens’ turnaround. From establishing a new identity built on speed, compete and resiliency.
Much has already been written, and rightfully so, about the Pens’ mental evolution from a fragile group to one with an unwavering focus and attention to detail.
Much has already been written, and rightfully so, about the adversities this team has overcome as a group, climbing out of a deep hole in the standings, transforming from a pedestrian offense into one of the league’s formidable powerhouses. But the greatest story of all has been this great group of players becoming the best team in the NHL.
All championship teams are really just a group of men making individual sacrifices for the betterment of the group itself.
“I know there’s a lot of stories that surround this group, but the greatest story of all is the group itself,” Sullivan said following the team’s Game 7 victory in the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay. “When you’re part of something that’s bigger than yourself it’s a special thing, and I know these guys have it right now.”
Just look at the decision on who should be voted as the Pens’ playoff MVP. An argument could have been made for Phil Kessel. After all, he led the team with 10 goals and 22 points. He was the team’s most consistent producer all postseason with points in 16 of 24 games. Kessel was his best when the team needed him the most – notching two goals and setting up the series-winning overtime tally in Game 6 against the President’s Trophy-winning Washington Capitals.
Matt Murray became just the fourth rookie goaltender to lead his team to a Stanley Cup championship. Along the way his 15 playoff wins tie other rookie netminders Patrick Roy (1986), Ron Hextall (1987) and Cam Ward (2006) in NHL history. Throughout the team’s run, Murray was a rock in-between the pipes. His cool approach had a calming effect on the team. More importantly, he stopped the puck. But Kessel wouldn’t have enjoyed the same scoring success without the help of his linemates. And Murray wouldn’t have been as strong in goal without the help from his defensive corps. While those two may stand out, the contributions to this championship squad came from top to bottom.
The team’s captain, Crosby, notched three game-winning goals during the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay. And he even choreographed the game-winning overtime play off of a faceoff win in Game 2 of the Cup Final against San Jose.
Malkin missed 25 of the Pens’ final 33 regular-season games, including the final 15, with injuries. He returned to the lineup after missing the team’s first playoff game and has quietly produced points while helping the team use four formidable lines. He notched two goals and four points in Game 4 against the New York Rangers. He scored the game-winning power-play goal in Game 4 in San Jose of the Cup Final to push the Sharks to the brink.
Letang has been everything the Pens needed on the blue line. He’s led the way in ice time, playing in every situation, while being a steady and reliable presence on the ice. Letang’s ability to single-handedly skate the puck out of danger in the defensive zone and his breakout passes have allowed Pittsburgh to play the speed game it desires.
Maybe the breakout star of the postseason has been center Nick Bonino. He scored arguably the most memorable goal of the postseason when he eliminated the Capitals in Game 6 in overtime, sending the bench, his teammates and crowd into a frenzy. Bonino has also played a huge role on the penalty kill and has left a few games after blocking a shot, only to return shortly after and finish the game. And plus, the Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi call is gold and will live in Pens’ lore forever. “BONINO! BONINO! BONINO! BONINO! BONINO!”
No player more defines passion than Patric Hornqvist. Whether it’s taking a beating in front of the opposition net, blocking a shot with his head or scoring a hat trick, Hornqvist has been the heart and soul of this playoff run. He will finish this postseason with a bruised and beaten body, but no one deserved to raise the Cup more than Hornqvist.
Chris Kunitz was a leader on the ice and in the locker room. He was a physical presence on the ice, but also chipped in offensively. Kunitz had a three-game goal-scoring streak in the East Final against Tampa Bay, and carried a six-game point streak (3G-4A) over into the Cup Final.
Matt Cullen, the father of the team, won his second Stanley Cup at the age of 39. His character and leadership filtered throughout the room. The Pens coaching staff leaned on Cullen in defensive situations and faceoffs. He delivered every time.
Carl Hagelin’s speed has completely changed the dynamic of the Pens. His ability to win every foot race gives the Pens the option to dump pucks into space and escape danger, knowing Hagelin will track it down and regain possession. None of the Pens’ playoff opponents could defend against his quickness.
Bryan Rust set a team rookie record by scoring six goals. He was the team’s Game 7 hero against Tampa Bay by posting two goals in the 2-1 win. He also notched two goals in Game 5 of the First Round against New York to eliminate the Rangers, becoming only the second rookie in NHL history to record multiple goals in two series-clinching games (Jeremy Roenick, 1990).
Conor Sheary had to overcome a knee-on-knee hit from Tom Wilson, one in which the Caps forward was fined. Sheary’s speed and game suffered, to the point where the coaches sat him. But he never complained or made an excuse. His health improved, his game improved. Sheary scored the game-winning overtime tally in Game 2 against San Jose.
Brian Dumoulin transformed into the team’s most consistent and reliable defenseman. Ben Lovejoy slid over to block a shot that would have been a goal against Washington. Tom Kuhnhackl, who can barely walk off the ice, gave everything he had on every shift. Ian Cole went from a healthy scratch in the regular season to the team’s most physical and best penalty killing defenseman. Eric Fehr scored two game-winning goals and a dagger goal in Game 4 against San Jose. Trevor Daley being a veteran presence and jolting the team’s speed. Justin Schultz stepped in when Daley went down and excelled.
Olli Maatta battled through an injury that has limited his skating ability. He had to adjust his game to accommodate, basically relearning how to play the game. All the while telling the media that he had no issues and making no excuses.
Marc-Andre Fleury, who has been the ultimate team player this postseason. Instead of sulking about being a backup despite being the No. 1 guy all year long and having already won a Cup ring, Fleury has been Murray’s biggest cheerleader. Instead of dividing the locker room and creating friction, Fleury has brought the team together and has given Murray the guidance the young netminder needed.
Or Jeff Zatkoff, who helped Murray develop last year in the American Hockey League. Who was pushed to the No. 3 goaltender on the depth chart, but didn’t sulk. And when he was called upon, starting in Games 1 and 2 against the NY Rangers after going nearly two months between starts, to make 35 saves and net a victory.
Or even Pascal Dupuis. Despite leaving the game that he loves in December, Dupuis has stayed around and helped out in any area in which he could. He’s the team’s biggest cheerleader from the press box and the first to offer advice and assistance and guidance. And not being able to play is killing him. But he still suffers it every day, because he’s doing it for the team.
That isn’t to discount the contributions from Beau Bennett, Derrick Pouliot, Oskar Sundqvist, Kevin Porter and Tom Wilson.
This was a full team effort. This was a full team achievement. These players are champions.
“This is the players’ game. The players are the guys that get it done. They deserve the credit,” Sullivan said.
That is true. But this wasn’t just about the players. Everyone from the training staff to the medical staff to the equipment staff did their part.
The coaching staff, led by Sullivan, and including assistant coaches Rick Tocchet and Jacques Martin, goaltending coach Mike Bales and defenseman development coach Sergei Gonchar all deserve high marks.
Sullivan’s contributions are obvious. It may have been a serendipitous union. No other coach in the National Hockey League could have mastered this turnaround. His presence commands attention. His voice commands a room. When he talks, players listen.
Sullivan spoke. The players listened. Sullivan led. The players followed. And together, they all became champions.

The Penguins' ride to their fourth Stanley Cup championship was anything but smooth. The players and coaches who defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-1 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final on Sunday and hoisted the Cup looked vastly different from the one that began the season in October.
Here's how this Stanley Cup champion team was built:

FORWARDS

Beau Bennett, RW: Selected with the 20th pick of the 2010 NHL Draft. Made his NHL debut Feb. 15, 2013.
Nick Bonino, C: Acquired from the Vancouver Canucks with defenseman Adam Clendening and a second-round pick in the 2016 draft for forward Brandon Sutter and a 2016 third-round pick on July 28, 2015. Bonino played one season for the Canucks after spending his first five seasons with the Anaheim Ducks.

Sidney Crosby, C: Selected with the first pick of the 2005 NHL Draft. He became the youngest captain of an NHL team in 2007-08.
Matt Cullen, C: Signed a one-year contract with the Penguins on Aug. 6, 2015 after spending the previous two seasons with the Nashville Predators.
Eric Fehr, C: Signed a three-year contract with the Penguins on July 28, 2015. He had played nine of the previous 10 seasons with the Washington Capitals; he was with the Winnipeg Jets in 2011-12.
Carl Hagelin, LW: Acquired from the Ducks for forward David Perron and Clendening on Jan. 16. Hagelin had been traded to the Ducks in June 2015 after playing his first four seasons with the New York Rangers.
Patric Hornqvist, RW: Acquired from the Nashville Predators with forward Nick Spaling for forward James Neal on June 27, 2014. Hornqvist had spent his first six NHL seasons with the Predators.
Phil Kessel, RW: Acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs with forward Tyler Biggs and defenseman Tim Erixon for forwards Spaling and Kasperi Kapanen, defenseman Scott Harrington and a third-round pick in the 2016 draft. Kessel had spent the previous six seasons with the Maple Leafs.
Tom Kuhnhackl, RW: Selected by the Penguins in the fourth round (No. 110) of the 2010 draft. He made his NHL debut Jan. 9.
Chris Kunitz, LW: Acquired from the Ducks with forward Eric Tangradi for defenseman Ryan Whitney on Feb. 26, 2009. Kunitz had spent the previous four seasons with the Ducks. He is an alternate captain.
Evgeni Malkin, C: Selected with the second pick of the 2004 draft. He won the Calder Trophy in 2006-07 and is an alternate captain.
Bryan Rust, RW: Selected in the third round (No. 80) of the 2010 draft. He made his NHL debut Dec. 13, 2014, and made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut this season.
Conor Sheary, LW: Signed to a two-year, entry-level contract July 1, 2015 after he played 58 games for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate, in 2014-15. He made his NHL debut Dec. 16, 2015.
Oskar Sundqvist, C: Selected in the third round (No. 81) of the 2012 draft. Made his NHL debut Feb. 5.

DEFENSEMEN

Ian Cole: Acquired from the St. Louis Blues for defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and a seventh-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on March 2, 2015.
Trevor Daley: Acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Rob Scuderi on Dec. 14, 2015. Daley broke his ankle against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 4 the Eastern Conference Final and missed the remainder of the playoffs.
Brian Dumoulin: Acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes with forward Brandon Sutter and a first-round pick in the 2012 draft for forward Jordan Staal on June 22, 2012.
Kris Letang: Selected in the third round (No. 62) of the 2005 draft.
Ben Lovejoy: Acquired from the Ducks for defenseman Simon Despres on March 2, 2015. Lovejoy had played for the Penguins from 2008 until he was traded to the Ducks on Feb. 7, 2013.
Olli Maatta: Selected with the 22nd pick of the 2012 draft.
Derrick Pouliot: Selected with the eighth pick of the 2012 draft. The selection was acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes as part of the Staal trade on June 22, 2012.
Justin Schultz: Acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for a third-round pick in the 2016 draft on Feb. 28.

GOALTENDERS

Marc-Andre Fleury: Selected with the first pick of the 2003 draft.
Matt Murray: Selected in the third round (No. 83) of the 2012 draft. He made his NHL debut Dec. 19, 2014.
Jeff Zatkoff: Signed a two-year contract on July 1, 2012. He had spent the previous four seasons with the Los Angeles Kings organization.

COACHES

Mike Sullivan, coach: Named coach Dec. 12, 2015, replacing Mike Johnston. He was in his first season as coach with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the Penguins' AHL affiliate.
Rick Tocchet, assistant coach: Hired on June 25, 2014. Previously was coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning from 2008-10. He won the Stanley Cup as a player with the Penguins in 1992.
Jacques Martin, assistant coach: Hired on Aug. 9, 2013. Has coaching experience with St. Louis Blues (1986-88), Ottawa Senators (1995-2004), Florida Panthers (2005-08) and Montreal Canadiens (2009-12).
Mike Bales, goaltending coach: Hired on Aug. 9, 2013 after spending previous two seasons as Penguins goaltender development coach.

GENERAL MANAGER

Jim Rutherford: Hired on June 6, 2014 after spending 20 years as general manager of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise. Under Rutherford the Hurricanes made two trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and won the championship in 2006.



Stanley Cup Parade: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/06/13/details-of-penguins-stanley-cup-victory-parade-announced/
Pittsburgh Post Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2016/06/12/Pittsburgh-Penguins-vs-San-Jose-Sharks-in-Game-6-of-NHL-Stanley-Cup-final/stories/201606120204
ESPN: http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/16179616/pittsburgh-sports-world-celebrates-penguins-stanley-cup-win