Shero talks Kovalev trade and future moves

Here are some tidbits from Ray Shero's Media Session

-- Shero says he is comfortable with Alexei Kovalev's attitude: "Hope short term he's energized, " Shero said.

Kovalev's character was a major concern from some inside the organization, in regards to how he would fit in the Penguins locker room which is a very close group.

Shero said that Mario Lemieux was among those to go to bat for bringing Kovalev on-board.

-- Shero said that Kovalev will arrive in Carolina tonight and meet with his teammates.

-- In acquiring Kovalev, Shero is not thinking beyond this season, he indicated. Shero said that the team will use Kovalev along the right wall and up high on the power play.

The power play is where scouts see Kovalev becoming an asset for Pittsburgh.

-- Shero compared the deal to team acquiring Bill Guerin few seasons ago, in that they acquired him {guerin} when he wasn't playing well and hoped they'd start to play better. He said that taking on Kovalev's salary is a commitment.