The Penguins were in Washington to celebrate their first championship since 2009 and meet President Barack Obama. Pittsburgh won the Cup in six games against the San Jose Sharks, and Hagelin, Bonino and Kessel were integral to their success during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The line combined for 20 goals and 56 points, and Kessel led the Penguins with 10 goals and 22 points.
The "HBK Line" captured the imagination of Pittsburgh. Longtime Pittsburgh sandwich shop Primanti Bros. created a sandwich for the line, putting ham, bacon and kielbasa on its signature white bread. Former WWE wrestler Shawn Michaels, known as "HBK," also took notice. He became a Penguins fan and attended Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Pittsburgh.
Bonino and Kessel have teamed up for Pittsburgh, but Hagelin has not played in a preseason game because he was representing Team Sweden at the World Cup of Hockey 2016. Although many expect the line to keep wreaking havoc on the NHL, Kessel may have leaked a new line the Penguins are working on.
