2005–06 Pittsburgh Penguins season

The Penguins failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

The move drew criticism from some hockey pundits, including Don Cherry, who claimed that Crosby had done nothing to earn the position.

Crosby is the youngest player in the history of the NHL to score 100 points in a single season, and only the seventh rookie ever to hit the benchmark.

Through his first season, Crosby was accused by opposing players and coaches of taking dives and complaining to officials, which has been attributed to his youth.

Hopes for the Penguins were high due to the salary cap and revenue sharing, which enabled the team to compete in the market for several star players.

Another reason for optimism was the Penguins winning the lottery for the first draft pick, enabling them to select Sidney Crosby.

This followed a half-season in which he struggled not only with the increased speed of the "new NHL" but also with yet another threatening physical ailment, a heart condition called atrial fibrillation that caused him to experience irregular heartbeats.