 The Penguins ' offseason activities began in May 2007 , with the team naming Sidney Crosby its captain . At just 19 years old , Crosby became the youngest captain in NHL history . Crosby was named the first Penguins captain since the retirement of Mario Lemieux in January 2006 ; Crosby , Mark Recchi , Sergei Gonchar and John LeClair served as alternate captains after Lemieux 's retirement . Veteran Gary Roberts was named as an alternate captain for the new season , joining Recchi and Gonchar . The Penguins also extended head coach Michel Therrien 's contract through the 2008 – 09 season . 
