Stanley Cup Final aside, you wouldn’t think there’d be a lot happening, hockey-wise, in the middle of June. After all, the Entry Draft isn’t for a couple of weeks with free agency to follow shortly thereafter. However, much to the contrary, yesterday was chock full of newsworthy items.
Item No. 1: the Penguins held a press conference at PPG Paints Arena to formally introduce newly minted coach Dan Muse.
After watching of a video clip from the Q&A portion, I couldn’t help but be impressed. Muse comes off as intelligent, energetic, enthusiastic and adaptive. In particular, he spoke of his desire to get to know all of his players to discover, among other things, what motivates them and makes them tick. The end goal, developing a plan for their advancement.
Just highly impressive.
Pens POHO/GM Kyle Dubas no doubt feels the same way about his new hire. It should be noted Muse wasn’t the front runner for the job, but chased down and lapped the favorites during the interview process. According to Dan Kingerski of PHN, a similar dynamic occurred back in 2017 when Peter Laviolette picked the dark horse candidate to join his staff in Nashville.
Needless to say, all of this comes as a huge breath of fresh air. It reminds me, at least superficially, of when Bill Cowher replaced Steelers coaching legend Chuck Noll back in 1992.
Sometimes, change is not only needed, it’s necessary in order to move forward.
For the first time in a good, long while, I’m looking forward to the future.
Lord Stanley, Lord Stanley, Give Me the Emmy?
The second item on the list? Jaromír Jágr visited PPG Paints Arena. The former Pens great wasn’t in town to accept a position with the team or anything of that nature. Rather, Jags was here to receive, of all things, an Emmy Award from outgoing president Kevin Acklin for his part in the team-sponsored documentary covering the retirement of his iconic No. 68 back on February 18.
As a side note, I’ve always thought the future Hall-of-Famer might have something to offer as an advisor or special assistant. Call it Jágr swagger, but he’s dynamic, charismatic and obviously knows a lot about hockey.
Back to the Future
Saving the biggest blockbuster for last, Pierre LeBrun reported that a group including Jaromír’s old linemate, Mario Lemieux, (Ron Burkle and David Morehouse, too) are seeking to purchase at least a partial stake in the Pens.
Wow. Or should I say, WOW!
Talk about back to the future!
Honestly, and this isn’t a knock on Fenway Sports Group, but something’s been lacking since FSG purchased the club from Mario & Co. back in 2021 for a cool $900 million. Namely, the big guy’s presence in the owner’s box during home games.
There was something comforting, not to mention very “Pittsburgh,” about having IMHO the greatest player of all-time involved with the team.
Needless to say, I hope things work out in conformity with Mario’s wishes.
Around the League (or a Ducking They Will Go)
The Rangers and Ducks have all-but-announced a trade that would send Chris Kreider to the left coast, where he’d join former Blueshirts teammate Jacob (Mr. Elbows) Trouba. The return for the veteran power forward was rumored to be the Ducks second-round pick in the 2023 draft, forward Carey Terrance.
According to reports, Kreider and new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan weren’t exactly chummy when Sully served as an assistant in the Big Apple back in the day.
In even bigger news, the Stars may be shopping left wing Jason Robertson, a two-time 40-goal scorer who rang up 109 points as recently as ’22-23. Cap space, or lack of, appears to be the pressing issue, especially in the wake of Mikko Rantanen’s hefty extension.
A former First-Team NHL All-Star, Robertson earns $7.75 per, ultra-reasonable for a player of his stature and pedigree. He’s set to become an RFA in 2026.
I always wonder about people who want to deify Lemieux. Mario has always been out for Mario #1. People forget. He’s a bit of history as a reminder:
1. 1984. Mario is drafted and refuses to put on the Penguins sweater at the draft because they haven’t offered him enough money.
2. Late 90’s. Mario signs a deal that pays him about $36 million *whether he plays of not*. He then retires to collect, leaving the team in the lurch.
3. Mario cares so much about the team that he doesn’t so much as put his foot into the Civic Arena for following 3 years.
4. The team goes bankrupt and being unsecured is about to get pennies on the dollar. He had little alternative to taking an equity position in the team. That’s right. Mario did not save the Pens. He was forced to show his face again by the bankruptcy.
5. Mario comes back an the public is told that his salary is $5 million. This is when the team was selling talent and no money. It later comes out that Saint Mario was getting another $5 million under the table on some flimsy excuse. The public backlash was so great that he was forced to turn down the extra $5 million.
Mario has been consistent his entire time. He out for himself and no one else. The popular notion that he saved to team because he cares about the team of Pittsburgh is simply not borne out by his behavior. Everything he has done was for selfish interests. Just to be clear, I do not begrudge him looking out for himself. That’s normal. But the notion that he should be sainted for what he’s done is ridiculous – just like the notion that him buying back into the team will somehow help the team is foolish..
Interesting.
Some of what you point out I was aware of and some I wasn’t.
Perhaps Mario’s motives weren’t always the purest, as you suggest. Nonetheless, the fans and the city have developed a deep and abiding love for him. Some things just come from the heart.
I’ve got to think on some level that affection and love is reciprocated.
No matter how things transpired, there’d probably only be minor-league hockey in Pittsburgh if it weren’t for Mario. The Pens averaged only 6839 fans the season before he arrived (’83-84). The franchise was literally dead in the water. As Eddie Johnston would say a few years down the road, the Civic Arena would’ve been paved over if not for Mario.
Too, I think if he were that reluctant an owner, he would have sold the team long before he did.
While we’re making lists, let’s not forget the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the things he’s done away from the spotlight to support the community and charitable causes.
Maybe he doesn’t deserve to be deified. But he’s certainly earned our reverence, love and respect.
Rick
Rick
Best news of the day was finding out Mario & Company are trying to buy back a piece of
the Penguins organization. Their’s just something about him being involved that gives you
the comfort of knowing the team will always be moving in the direction to contend for
another Stanley Cup.
As for the hiring of hiring of Pen’s new Head Coach Dan Muse “He’s growing on me”
Hey Mike,
Looks like reports of a full-blown purchase were more smoke than fire. It really didn’t make sense from the get-go considering how much Mario and his group would have to shell out.
However, if he would buy back in and begin to be a presence again, that would be wonderful. Penguins hockey and Mario just fit hand-in-glove.
Rick